Our Position

As nursing students we strongly support this bill for many reasons. We feel as nurses it is our job to be advocates for all persons seeking health care and in this particular case for pregnant women. It is our responsibility to become involved in making primary prenatal care available to all women so that their right of informed choice regarding their own pregnancy is upheld and respected. If this bill is passed, not only will a step be made forward in primary prevention of maternal and fetal health care, but nurses will be able to better counsel women as to what they need to be prepared for with certain conditions of pregnancy, such as fetal anomalies, and choices regarding such. It has also been suggested that this process may help women be more prepared psychologically, and preserve a sense of well being and control over her own pregnancy should a fetal anomaly or unexpected event be detected (Kohut, 2002). According to an article found in the Journal of Genetic Counseling, “The principles of informed choice are directed by the ethical principles of autonomy and beneficence. Respect for patient autonomy obligates the prenatal provider to acknowledge the values and beliefs of the pregnant woman. Facilitating an informed choice is believed to influence a woman’s sense of control and consequently, their personal well being” (Kohut, 2002).We as nursing students believe these principles of autonomy and beneficence can only truly be established if all women are given equal opportunity to receive ultrasound testing and prenatal care so they themselves are able to make an informed choice regarding their own pregnancy.