A very interesting story from the Tallahassee Democrat about a woman's self-determination while pregnant.
It's a story of a woman who had complications while pregnant, was admitted to the hospital with a ruptured uterus, and smoked at the time of her pregnancy. She was ordered to stop smoking, and forced to stay at the hospital at bed rest.
She was not even allowed to consult with another doctor. The justification for such a ruling?
Judge Cooper granted the hospital's request, citing the state's authority to ensure that children receive necessary medical treatment. Under Florida law, the judge said, the welfare of a child overrides that of its parent. He barred her from seeing another doctor.Three days later she had an emergency cesarean, but the baby had already died. That was when Burton was allowed to go home.
The woman is now suing the hospital, but she's facing a lot of resistance because under Florida Law, the court acted in the best interests of the child, not the mother's.
Read the full story here: http://www.tallahassee.com/fdcp/?1266421012046
