Medical Termination Of Pregnancy For Psychosocial Reasons

Abstract

The requesting of medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) for psychosocial reasons invites several questions concerning progress in medicine as well raising necessary and legitimate ethical questions. The law currently permits MTP for maternal reasons at any stage of pregnancy if the woman's health is at a significant risk. However, conceptions of mental health risks remain a grey area and present difficulties in terms of psychiatric assessment. When dealing with a patient suffering from a psychiatric disorder, questions must be asked on the reasons behind the request as well as questions concerning free and clear consent. It must also be taken into account that the progressive nature of pregnancy means patient care must be provided relatively quickly. These cases invite discussion on medical decisions, on both a moral and rational level, and the legitimacy of the basis on which the medical decision is taken in the context of MTP for psychosocial reasons.

Keywords: Ethics; Medical termination of pregnancy; Psychiatry; Psychosocial situations; serious problem of the health of the woman.