To wonder who's life would be prioritised, mother or baby?

[splendidisolation]

Just one of those random train of thought questions that popped up in my head.

Imagine this theoretical scenario, a mother is giving birth and the doctor's have to decide whether to save her life or the newborn on its way out.
Ethically, which would they be forced to choose and why?

Imagine the mother's partner or a family member is present. Obviously horrific, but would they be asked to decide? Who makes that decision?

Mother every time.

Baby

I think the mother would be the priority over the baby. I don't imagine there would be time in a situation like that to get family to decide. It would be down to the doctors I expect

I had this scenario at my dc1 birth. Was told after they took me to theatre knowing to their mind one life would come out alive only. They opted to save me. Luckily, dc1 survived too.

Whoever was more likely to survive

I'd guess the birthing partner would be asked to decide? I have already briefed dh to save me since we have a dc already and my life is established whereas future baby doesn't yet have one established.

Mother. Baby is not born. I can't believe anyone would say baby!

Actually I can. I live in NI

They'd save the mother.

Its the mother, always. Not that the mother would choose that always but that's the way it is.

Mother every time. No question.

Mother.

Caesarean sections have been done on premature pregnancies to save the mothers life (e.g. If she had a cardiac arrest or seriously injured in an accident). Not that every effort wouldn't be put into saving baby's life too.

I'd guess the birthing partner would be asked to decide?

Not all birthing partners are NOK! No way should it be up to the birthing partner. The doctors should be the only ones making life saving decisions.

Mother. Every time. Until the baby is born it's not an entity in its own right.

I think they have to prioritise the life of the mother.

I was brought up Catholic and was told the baby should be saved over the mother.

Mother

Always the mother I expect

The birthing partner (or even NOK) would never be asked to decide. Multiple reasons why, even if only to spare that poor person a lifetime's guilt at being forced to make that choice. It's a decision for the doctors to make.

Mother will always be the priority.
But if a situation ever happened in my life, I really hope they would just save my baby.

You were told lies mybrilliantdisguise

When my mum was born (in the 40s) apparently there was some kind of form my grandfather was asked to sign stating that if a choice had to be made that the child should be saved. It was somehow meant to be tied to the Catholic church (the priest brought it for him to sign?) but I can't remember the details. If I remember correctly he thought it was an outrage.

The mother, the baby isn't a person yet.