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Abstract

Pregnancy is a time full of anticipation and excitement for most expectant mothers. Most women would not expect to battle their fetus legally for rights concerning medical treatments, but this is exactly the situation that Angela Carder found herself in. This case study examines the legal and moral issues that were brought to light when a woman who was pregnant and dying from cancer refused a caesarean section. Many argued that a woman's right to autonomous decision making should prevail, but the courts ruled in favor of fetal rights. Carder's rights were wrongly overridden in favor of what was judged to be best for her fetus. This article examines the conflict between a mother and her fetus and how this conflict influences the decisions of health care providers.

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