How would you handle a patient who requests a fetal reduction or termination due to multiple gestation?
November 29th, 2023
be respectful. Ask them if they have spoken to the doctor; are they aware of what potential side effects could be for both mom and the remaining fetuses; do they have any questions? Give them the consent form to sign. Be aware the decision may not have been easy for the parents to make; they might have made it because the mother had preeclampsia or any other life threatening condition. Remain professional and courteous and ask if they want to speak to a chaplain or anyone else before or afterwards.
If they are making the decision because they don't; want more than one baby, ask if they want to consider putting the others up for adoption?
Most important thing is : this has nothing to do with you other than nursing care afterwards