Technology and the Ethical Practice of Reproductive Care
This chapter applies the lens of woman-centered care to examine the complexity of ethical decision making involving technology in contemporary reproductive health settings. It begins by situating the discussion within an international perspective, revealing that pregnancy is still a highly risky state globally for women, including risk of abuse from both within and outside healthcare. The model of woman-centered care is presented as an ethical strategy to approach a woman considering reproductive options and decisions. Using this model and a series of vignettes, ethical issues involving technology in routine reproductive care during key periods are examined, including contraception and adolescence, genetic screening, woman-centered care in childbirth, technology in labor (induction, informed consent, fetal monitoring), human rights during labor, and infant feeding. Solutions beyond technology are also offered.