Pregnant Woman on Life Support

adventurebarbie

There is a story in North Texas that I have been following.  I find it completely heartbreaking.  Apparently, a pregnant lady collapsed, and her heart stopped several times.  She was resuscitated but then declared braindead. She was an EMT and had seen many patients who were braindead and kept on life support.  She had discussed repeatedly with her family that she did not want this.  However, due to a law that even the doctors involved apparently didn't even know about, anyone who is pregnant cannot legally be taken off life support.  She was 14 weeks along at the time that she was declared braindead, and is now about 19 weeks.

Apparently, the law states, “A person may not withdraw or withhold life-sustaining treatment under this subchapter from a pregnant patient.”

https://www.star-telegram.com/2014/01/05/5461612/husband-says-texas-law-shouldnt.html

I don't know what the right answer is, or if there is one, but this certainly makes me want to get a living will, as well as a will and trust, done ASAP.  I am just heartbroken for this family.  No matter what your stance, it's devastating. 

Read more here: https://www.star-telegram.com/2014/01/05/5461612/husband-says-texas-law-shouldnt.html#storylink=cpy


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CamrynnsMommy

Very heartbreaking! I read this the other day and wouldn't wish that decision on anyone.

ABColeslaw

We've talked about this extensively in my other forum.  Here is my two cents.  I think the law is what it is and the hospital has no choice but to follow the law, so the hospital is faultless.  I think that it is too bad that she didn't think to get her wishes down in writing, because the law actually states that they can't remove life support in a pregnant patient without the correct paperwork signed by the patient saying they do not want to be kept alive in those circumstances.  It is very sad, because in this circumstance the husband actually wants to remove life support and is legally not able to.  And honestly without getting into a debate about prolife and prochoice your next of kin really should have the right to make those decisions when you cannot. 

This situation has inspired me to talk to my husband more. I've always said "Don't keep me alive forever on life support"  But I think very few of us have actually talked about what to do if it happens while you're pregnant.  And while I would want my H to hold on long enough to deliver a baby, many many women would not.  And that is their choice. 

There is also the consideration in this case that a lot of the specialists do not believe that the baby is viable due to how long it went without oxygen....I don't know when they are doing more indepth testing though. 

spacepotatoes

I haven't been following this closely but did see it in our local newspaper last week. What a sad, difficult situation for everyone involved.

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LUCKY22

I've had the general life support discussion with DH, but after reading this story, it prompted me to bring up this detail - who would ever think they would need to?  The husband in the story is probably going through so many emotions, I can't even imagine having to make that decision. Regardless of which side you're on, it's heartbreaking for everyone.  

mirdamae03

There is also the consideration in this case that a lot of the specialists do not believe that the baby is viable due to how long it went without oxygen....I don't know when they are doing more indepth testing though. 

This. I would hope the hospital would run some sort of tests/scans to determine viability, but who knows. Such a sad story all the way around.

kat8805

Oddly enough, this very thought popped in my head before bed last night. It's sad that the family can't respect her wishes. And that in the end, these measures may not ensure the baby is even able to survive long enough to become viable, let alone viable without damage from the same lack of oxygen its mother faced. The heartbreak this family is suffering is unimaginable.

rainydayluck

This story makes me so angry, but without getting into debate, I'd like to know who is footing the hospital bills.

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mrsbtobe20122

kat8805 said:

Oddly enough, this very thought popped in my head before bed last night. It's sad that the family can't respect her wishes. And that in the end, these measures may not ensure the baby is even able to survive long enough to become viable, let alone viable without damage from the same lack of oxygen its mother faced. The heartbreak this family is suffering is unimaginable.

This. I'd feel differently if she weren't o2 deprived and the fetus was viable, with good prognosis. It has neither.

pandadair

kat8805 said:

Oddly enough, this very thought popped in my head before bed last night. It's sad that the family can't respect her wishes. And that in the end, these measures may not ensure the baby is even able to survive long enough to become viable, let alone viable without damage from the same lack of oxygen its mother faced. The heartbreak this family is suffering is unimaginable.

This is what makes me rage. Even if the fetus is technically viable, they have no clue what the long-term effects from the oxygen deprivation will be. I am so beyond pissed for this family. If the state is going to force her body to be an incubator for a fetus whose medical status they can have no clue of, the state should be assuming responsibility for the resulting care. But you know they won't. I'd feel differently, for myself, if it was a much further along pregnancy and whatever caused my death was fairly likely to not have huge effects on the fetus. But in this case... no. Pull my plug.

pistolpackinmomma

We have discussed this in another group I am a part of. In this situation I would be ok with the plug being pulled but would leave it up to DH. He is the one who is left grieving with no closure for 6 months, footing the hospital bill and possibly raising a child with what could be left with a very poor quality of life and most likely very special needs. I don't mean to imply that special needs kids don't deserve love, but it would be a lot (especially already having one kid) to do on your own. If the woman were not on life support and they had found the baby would be facing major challenges then the couple would have the choice to terminate. So why is that choice not extended to them now? This whole situation makes me so sad for the family and so angry. This is not the place for the law to get involved.

rainydayluck

I wonder if they could move her out of state.

MissLadyTay

rainydayluck said:

This story makes me so angry, but without getting into debate, I'd like to know who is footing the hospital bills.

Yes. I can't actually discuss it in polite conversation because it makes me shake.

pistolpackinmomma

rainydayluck said:

I wonder if they could move her out of state.

I never thought about that! I wonder if it would be possible. I'm not sure how hard it is to move hospitals much less out of state though.

whimsy515

I was shocked when my DH said he would not pull the plug in hopes he'd get his child. In every other case, we're all about pulling the plug. When I asked him about this last week, he quickly said that he wouldn't pull the plug in that case. I asked even if our kid is severely brain damaged? He said that he would do what it took to keep our kid alive and hopefully bring him home one day. But then again he's a pro choicer as well. I think this is a good discussion to have with your SO. You never know what you're going to hear!

Empireceo

rainydayluck said:

This story makes me so angry, but without getting into debate, I'd like to know who is footing the hospital bills.

This was my thought too.  On top of everything else, this guy is going to have to pay to keep his wife on life support for 4-5 months?  Horrible all around.