Failed Abortions

[Kalico]

Let me start out by saying that this is not an attempt to start a debate on a abortions. Some of you may say that what I am going to say in this thread is an "urban legend" but I would still appreciate knowing if anyone has ever had this happen and what the legal response would be.

When I was in high school several years ago I read an article that was supposedly written by a NICU nurse. In this article this nurse stated that she took care of a baby that was supposed to have been aborted yet somehow survived the procedure. I don't know what the baby's state was but this nurse stated that the mom didn't want anything done for the baby, no meds, no life-saving procedures, nothing. She said that somehow this baby made it through the first few hours and was fighting to survive yet the nurse wasn't allowed to do anything for the baby except watch her die. I am wondering if this is allowed and if so how as a nurse can I legally fight having to partake in something like this? Or does this even happen anymore? Thanks in advance.

[mhull]

Smith's Recognizable Patterns of Human Malformation makes mention of failed abortions under the section that talks about Methotrexate exposure. Apparently Methotrexate used to be an abortifacient.

I could be very wrong but I think they still use Methotrexate for ectopic preg. If I am wrong, please correct me.

[mhull]

It's not a stupid ??, LVN, it's not something you would've encountered thus far. Fetuses don't have alveoli til ~ 23 wks, they are just developing the upper lung structures, bronchi, bronchioles and "lung buds"--future alveoli. So @ 23 wks, it just depends on that particular baby's "schedule" as to how many alveoli s/he has @ 23 wks, and how well they will work if needed.

Surfactant (what is put into the lungs to help the baby breathe) only works in alveoli. Lung buds continue to develop until birth, and alveoli continue to develop til about age 5--which is why young children should not be exposed to cigarette smoke, kids who are develop fewer alveoli.

I hope that helps---

Now back to your regularly scheduled thread!!

prmenrs....I wish you had been my OB instructor. You seem to be able to simplify things. the instructor I had could not get to a student level. Sorry, I know this isn't the topic, but I just thought I would give you the compliment.

[Nursetobejmm]

I am very sad at this whole aspect although I have been planning on being an RN on the OB floor and soon will be entering the nursing program. Are there RN's on the OB floor who only care for babies that are known to be delivered healthy and other nurses on the OB floor who care for babies who are not as fortunate? I just really don't think I could handle encountering a situation like the ones that have been described previousley. I can't believe how out of touch I am, I have never thought about this situation happening for my career.

[Janlynn]

I could be very wrong but I think they still use Methotrexate for ectopic preg. If I am wrong, please correct me.

They still do--not long after I started my job in the ED I had a young girl sent over from a Catholic hospital--she was there for the sole purpose of receiving this shot because of an ectopic. The Catholic hospital sent her over because it would be against thier beliefs to give the shot. I remember it was a big hassle because our docs didn't want to touch it so we had to call in a consult with the ob/gyn and they had to write the order to give it even though the girl came with orders.

[Nurse Ratched, RN]

OP thanks for all the advice and information and requests thread be closed. Thank you.