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Baby at Risk: The Uncertain Legacies of Medical Miracles for Babies, Families, and Society
Baby at Risk explores the growing phenomenon of "miracle" births and infants born with major medical problems that threaten or impair their health for life. The book examines the new assisted-reproduction technologies that are producing their share of miracle babies---but also a burgeoning population of imperiled newborns. Then there are the neonatal intensive care rescues that keep extremely premature and critically ill babies alive---some to live healthy lives, but others to face a bleak lifetime during which their families must care for them.
Baby at Risk asks some very hard whether some high-tech rescues serve the best interests of babies, their families, and the wider social good---or are they just satisfying the contemporary and ever-increasing Western passion for using expensive technologies? And, who are the key people who should be making decisions about imperiled newborns? Like the Terry Schiavo debate, these issues affect not only the patients, their families, and health workers, but also the government, media, and society at large.
Through extensive interviews with parents and medical and nursing staff, and an exploration of ethical principles that guide deliberations about medical decisions, Baby at Risk examines the dilemmas that at-risk babies raise, considers the responses of those who care for and about babies, and proposes strategies for more effective and balanced decision-making in the uncertain world of imperiled newborns.
Baby at Risk asks some very hard whether some high-tech rescues serve the best interests of babies, their families, and the wider social good---or are they just satisfying the contemporary and ever-increasing Western passion for using expensive technologies? And, who are the key people who should be making decisions about imperiled newborns? Like the Terry Schiavo debate, these issues affect not only the patients, their families, and health workers, but also the government, media, and society at large.
Through extensive interviews with parents and medical and nursing staff, and an exploration of ethical principles that guide deliberations about medical decisions, Baby at Risk examines the dilemmas that at-risk babies raise, considers the responses of those who care for and about babies, and proposes strategies for more effective and balanced decision-making in the uncertain world of imperiled newborns.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 30, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 4, 2007
important new examination of the impact of technology on how society does and doesn't care for babies born early, sick or severely disabled. oh, and my mom wrote it.
May 12, 2008
Hard to read if you've been through the NICU with a premature baby but a very good book....one to be shared with obstetricians and neonatologists to raise awareness that the impacts of prematurity don't end when you walk out the NICU door. Ruth is a tireless warrior for premature infants and their families and her book is fantastic.
April 25, 2008
Helpful understanding of the risks and ethical concerns associated with preemies.
Easy to read and engage in.
Social Health Care Ethics
Easy to read and engage in.
Social Health Care Ethics
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews