[Moving beyond the ethical tension of caesarean section on maternal request]

Abstract

Introduction: In a legal context focused on the right and autonomy of the patient, some women wish to be able to choose their mode of childbirth. As midwives are primary care-givers for pregnant women with a physiological pregnancy, we wanted to find out whether it was ethically acceptable for them to accompany a woman in her decision to have a caesarean section.Purpose of research: This survey is an ancillary study of the CESARIA research program validated by the Comité de Protection des Personnes Sud Méditerranée IV and declared to the CNIL. Thirty-seven semi-directive interviews were conducted with midwives and women.

Results: The majority of women and midwives share a vision of childbirth as “natural” and consider the request for caesarean section as a pathology. When formulated, this request places midwives in a situation of ethical tension. On the one hand, midwives wish to refer women to vaginal birth as the norm, and this choice embodies the ethical principles of beneficence and non-maleficence. On the other hand, midwives express a desire to respect patient choice and freedom, illustrating the ethical principle of respect for autonomy.

Conclusions: The ethical issue of caesarean section on demand lies not so much in the decision to accept or not to accept a caesarean section but rather in listening to the request. Taking into consideration a medical indication more broadly than the simple obstetrical indication makes it possible to ethically support these requests while respecting the pregnant woman’s autonomy.