Ethical Considerations surrounding pregnancy and childbirth

Contemporary Debates in Biomedical Ethics

Instructor: Prof. Bernice Elger and invitees

Coordinator: Caterina Montagnoli and Michael Rost

Course Description

Pregnancy and childbirth are rites of passage into new spheres of self-construction and self-conception. This transition to new identity is not only characterized by social and biological vulnerabilities but also by bioethical complexity. The act of reproduction comes with a series of responsibilities: towards the pregnant person, the fetus, the family, and the professionals working in this field.

In this lecture series we will be guided by international experts through contemporary examples of ethical issues surrounding pregnancy and childbirth. These include but are not limited to decision-making in birth, autonomy and informed consent in birth, informal coercion in birth, choice of place of birth, relationality of the birthing person, migrants’ access to obstetric care, and respectful maternity care.

Most lectures will take place on Mondays from 12:15 to 13:45. If the sanitary situation allows, we will have all in person sessions according to the university of Basel current regulation (the Hörsaal 1, Klinikum 1, in the University Hospital (Spitalstrasse 21)

If you have feedback, questions or input that might be interesting for other members of the course, please bring them to the discussion at the end of each lecture.

Feel free to contact us via email: caterina.montagnoli@clutterunibas.ch or michael.rost@clutterunibas.ch We are also happy to meet with you on Zoom or to have a phone conversation.

Aims

Upon the completion of this course, you will (1) be familiar with ethical issues surrounding pregnancy and birth and (2) have a better understanding of the underlying reasons (e.g. socio-cultural, political, and medical contexts along with respective norms, narratives, and power structures).

Evaluation

Attend at least 7 lectures and participate actively. In case of unavoidable further absences, please contact us. These can possibly be compensated by an additional assignment (e.g. an additional short essay)
Write a short essay (approx. 1.300 words) on the topic of the course or on one specific class (could be on a topic discussed during the lectures but does not have to be)

Participation requirements

none

Literature

Readings for each session will be made available online on ADAM.

Course dates:

Date	Presenter	Lecture Name	Location
20.02.23	Dr. Michael Rost (University of Basel)	"Introduction and “Swiss perinatal care providers’ perceptions of and attitudes towards decision-making in birth”	Basel
06.03.23	Julika Hudson, MSc (Trinity College Dublin, Ireland)	"Informed Consent and Refusal of Treatment in Pregnancy and Birth in post-Repeal Ireland"	Basel
13.03.23	Dr. Stephan Oelhafen (Bern University of Applied Sciences) PD Dr. Manuel Trachsel (USB Basel)	"Coercion in psychiatry and informal coercion during childbirth"	Basel
20.03.23	t.b.a.	t.b.a.
27.03.23	Prof. Inge Van Nistelrooij (University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, Netherlands)	“Re-imagining maternal relationality: A rethinking of reproductive care from a care ethics perspective”	Basel
03.04.23	t.b.a.	t.b.a.
17.04.23	Prof. Claudia Hanson (Karolinska Institute Stockholm, Sweden)	“Challenges in ethics and equitable partnerships: experience from the ALERT multi-country implementation science project to support hospital maternities”	Basel
24.04.23	Dr. Elena Brodeala (University of Zurich)	“Debates on Reproductive Autonomy and Home Birth before the European Court of Human Rights"	Basel
01.05.23	t.b.a.	t.b.a.
08.05.23	Dr. Orli Dahan (Tel-Hai College, Israel)	“Birthing consciousness: The power of 'set & setting' parameters to significantly improve modern childbirth's physiological and psychological outcomes"	Basel
15.05.23	Caterina Montagnoli, MSc (University of Basel)	“Irregular migrants’ access to maternal and child health in the first 1000 days”	Basel
22.05.26	t.b.a.	t.b.a.

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