Pregnancy Options

In one of our classes, we were asked to consider our own preconceptions and opinions regarding pregnancy, abortion, and adoption. For example, how do we feel about an undesired pregnancy that is carried to term? An undesired pregnancy that is aborted? A pregnancy that a family cannot financially support carried to term? Or an abortion undertaken solely because of financial reasons? Are there any circumstances in which a woman should not carry a pregnancy to term? What if it was a result of rape? Or if the woman is a drug addict? Or even if the parents are simply divorced? Are there any circumstances in which a woman should not be able to choose abortion? What if the baby is just poor timing; she wants to have one, but not for another year? What if she is coerced by her partner?

Ethically of course, the woman can decide to carry a pregnancy to term or elect an abortion. But how we feel as providers can easily change the tone of a conversation or sway a patient's opinion. Like psychiatry, we have to watch our internal emotions regarding these personal and charged topics. Countertransference can be a powerful subconscious presence in these situations.

I was personally most struck by questions of adoption. How do I feel about women carrying a pregnancy to term intending to put their infant up for adoption? Is it permissible if the woman cannot financially support the baby? What if she only wants to do it for career reasons? What if she wants to do it because the pregnancy was unintended and she does not want an abortion? What if she wants to do it because the baby has a congenital defect? For me, putting up a baby for adoption has a lot more impact because such a decision imposes a further burden on another person or society in general. I'm not sure how the value of autonomy in a pregnancy should be weighed against beneficence to the infant or justice with respect to societal resources.