Week 5 PCL: Jess and Peter start a family
Now kiddies, when a mummy and daddy love each other very much...
Feel free to discuss anything you want.
Possible topics for inclusion include:
Should we congratulate parents for giving birth to a baby with Down Syndrome (what implications does this have either way?)
What is important to remember when breaking bad news to somebody?
What causes Down Syndrome?
Should we ethically test our foeti?
Much Love,
Tim
Part A
Jessica Stevens, 29 years old, and her husband Peter, 31, had looked forward to the birth of their first child. Jessica was fit and well throughout her pregnancy. She continued to work until up to 6 weeks before her due date. There was no family history of obstetric or developmental problems. Jessica attended ante-natal classes, watched her diet and gave up smoking as soon as she became pregnant. She had heard about tests in pregnancy but didn’t think she needed to worry about anything like that.
Now in the labour ward, after an uncomplicated delivery, Jessica gave birth to a son, Jonathon. It is immediately clear to the medical staff that something is wrong. The baby is floppy and in need of some resuscitation. His parents look on anxiously and enquire repeatedly of Dina Varelli, the midwife, “How is he? Is everything all right?”
Dina brings the baby back to his mother to hold for a few minutes after the paediatrician has seen him. But his colour remains dusky and he needs to be taken to the Special Care Nursery for a full assessment. Peter starts to go with the baby but the obstetrician, Dr Smith, asks him to stay, saying that he and Dina want to talk with Peter and Jess together. Dr Smith closes the door so they can talk in private. He sits down next to the bed and Dina places her hand comfortingly on Jess’s shoulder. “Did you notice anything unusual about Jonathan?” he asks. Peter and Jess reply that they have only noticed that he looked pale and dusky and had difficulty breathing.
Dr Smith explains that Jonathan has a heart murmur and his colour and breathing difficulties relate to the fact that his body is not able to get enough oxygen. Because he needs to be nursed in air containing more oxygen he has been moved to the nursery. He also describes some distinctive facial features that he has noticed. Peter and Jess are confused. To them Jonathan looks beautiful and they wonder why their doctor is commenting on his looks when their son has a problem with his heart.
Dr Smith goes on to say that he believes Jonathan has Down syndrome. Peter and Jess are shocked and Jess immediately thinks with dismay of the group of adults with Down syndrome she saw visiting the Aquarium. “Are you sure?” she asks, trying to stay calm. They can’t believe he is saying this about their baby. Peter insists on a second opinion. “You don’t really know for sure, do you?” he says angrily, as Jess starts to cry.
Dr Smith tells Peter that the paediatrician who will be looking after Jonathan will come and talk to them both in the next few hours. They feel alone and frightened.
Feel free to discuss anything you want.
Possible topics for inclusion include:
Should we congratulate parents for giving birth to a baby with Down Syndrome (what implications does this have either way?)
What is important to remember when breaking bad news to somebody?
What causes Down Syndrome?
Should we ethically test our foeti?
Much Love,
Tim
Part A
Jessica Stevens, 29 years old, and her husband Peter, 31, had looked forward to the birth of their first child. Jessica was fit and well throughout her pregnancy. She continued to work until up to 6 weeks before her due date. There was no family history of obstetric or developmental problems. Jessica attended ante-natal classes, watched her diet and gave up smoking as soon as she became pregnant. She had heard about tests in pregnancy but didn’t think she needed to worry about anything like that.
Now in the labour ward, after an uncomplicated delivery, Jessica gave birth to a son, Jonathon. It is immediately clear to the medical staff that something is wrong. The baby is floppy and in need of some resuscitation. His parents look on anxiously and enquire repeatedly of Dina Varelli, the midwife, “How is he? Is everything all right?”
Dina brings the baby back to his mother to hold for a few minutes after the paediatrician has seen him. But his colour remains dusky and he needs to be taken to the Special Care Nursery for a full assessment. Peter starts to go with the baby but the obstetrician, Dr Smith, asks him to stay, saying that he and Dina want to talk with Peter and Jess together. Dr Smith closes the door so they can talk in private. He sits down next to the bed and Dina places her hand comfortingly on Jess’s shoulder. “Did you notice anything unusual about Jonathan?” he asks. Peter and Jess reply that they have only noticed that he looked pale and dusky and had difficulty breathing.
Dr Smith explains that Jonathan has a heart murmur and his colour and breathing difficulties relate to the fact that his body is not able to get enough oxygen. Because he needs to be nursed in air containing more oxygen he has been moved to the nursery. He also describes some distinctive facial features that he has noticed. Peter and Jess are confused. To them Jonathan looks beautiful and they wonder why their doctor is commenting on his looks when their son has a problem with his heart.
Dr Smith goes on to say that he believes Jonathan has Down syndrome. Peter and Jess are shocked and Jess immediately thinks with dismay of the group of adults with Down syndrome she saw visiting the Aquarium. “Are you sure?” she asks, trying to stay calm. They can’t believe he is saying this about their baby. Peter insists on a second opinion. “You don’t really know for sure, do you?” he says angrily, as Jess starts to cry.
Dr Smith tells Peter that the paediatrician who will be looking after Jonathan will come and talk to them both in the next few hours. They feel alone and frightened.
posted by timfazio at
11:29 pm
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