Year: 2008
Type: article
Abstract: A 19-year-old woman who said she was 25 weeks' pregnant was rushed into labor and delivery crying from the pain of regular uterine contractions.Her cervix was dilated to 3 cm, and she was diagnosed with premature rupture of membranes and preterm labor.An ultrasound revealed a fetus measuring 21 weeks' gestation in vertex position.The woman had had no ultrasound during her pregnancy but stated that she was sure of the date of her last period.Fetal heart tracing was suspicious for acute fetal distress, and the obstetrician worried that the woman's due date was not accurate and that the fetus might be too preterm to have any chance at resuscitation.The woman begged the obstetrician, "Please save my baby."
Source: The AMA Journal of Ethic
Author: Anne Drapkin Lyerly
Institutions: Duke University, Duke Medical Center
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W100572738