Legal Issues in Obstetrics (Medico-Legal Series)

Legal Issues in Obstetrics explores the law which applies to this important area of medicine. Social and scientific developments in recent years have led to new legal and ethical problems for those practising in obstetrics and the legal framework is stated, with special reference to both well-established and emerging problems.The book covers the reasons for the politicization of pregnancy and the new emphasis on maternal choice in obstetrics is discussed, together with the attendant legal and ethical dilemmas. The legal regulation of abortion is described, and the important matter of genetic counselling is discussed. After the law of medical negligence is explained, disturbing issues raised by obstetric negligence cases for both patients and medical staff are explored are explored. The legal status of protocols and guidelines and the consequences for the practice of obstetrics and medical negligence claims are also examined in the context of risk management. Finally the adequacy of the existing legal framework is assessed and the future of the law relating to obstetrics is considered.