In Ireland there has been an increase in the abortion debate in the media, which has led to an increase in upsetting and medically incorrect terms such as ‘fatal foetal abnormality’ and ‘incompatible with life’. Prof Jim Dornan said, “These are not medical phrases; they are not. We are all fatal, and a life of a few minutes can be as perfect as a life of 60 years.”
The parents of children who have been diagnosed with life-limiting conditions such as anencephaly and Trisomy 13 understand the power of words and the potential harm they may cause. In most cases these babies are alive and kicking at the time of diagnosis, and their disability shouldn’t steal their right to live.
The Geneva Declaration on Perinatal Care states that the phrase ‘incompatible with life’ is not a medical diagnosis. This declaration has been signed by hundreds of medical professionals. Research has also shown that there are no conditions that can be described as ‘lethal’ or ‘fatal’ because babies do live beyond birth, even those with severe disabilities. Due to Ireland’s constitutional ban on abortion, many abortion campaigners use such terms to dehumanise babies with life-limiting conditions and justify taking away their lives.
It has been a difficult time for parents of babies with life-limiting conditions as they have had to swallow and endure these hurtful words. These parents have not only asked for the more correct phrase, ‘life-limiting conditions’, to be used, but they have also requested better care be made available, specifically perinatal hospice care and improved bereavement counselling services to help families through their heartbreak.
A new report from the Health Service Executive (HSE) states that, “There is no agreed definition of phrases such as ‘fatal anomaly’, neither is there a legal definition for foetal anomaly that may be fatal, or an agreed list of conditions associated with fatal foetal anomaly.” It also says, “An assessment of the seriousness of a foetal abnormality should be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all available information.” The HSE’s Standards of Bereavement Care uses the term ‘life-limiting condition’ which is consistent with the National Policy on Palliative Care for Children with Life-Limiting Conditions. The standards emphasis that bereavement care must be a part of Ireland’s maternity services and the important role healthcare professionals play in providing care. To read this full article, click here.
Leave a Reply