NICU Doctors: A True Disappointment

Strom, Ron. “Parents Fight Hospital Over Care Of Preemie.” wnd.com. World Net Daily, 28 June 2002. Web. 26 Oct. 2011.

http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=14394

Strom addresses a shocking story about the conflict between doctors and the parents of a preemie born more than three months early.  After doctors suggested ending its life support, the parents instantly fought back in an attempt to have their baby saved.  Doctors gradually became angrier as the parents continued to oppose further recommendations regarding the matter.  As a result, an ugly battle began between the two parties.  Strom directs his article towards parents of premature babies.  His intent is to warn them about potential obstacles, or in other words, heartless doctors that they may encounter during their baby’s journey in the NICU.  Parents of baby William received very little respect from doctors at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs after he had been born.  To argue their point, doctors gave William an EEG test in order to measure his brain activity.  They told his parents that he had only a small amount of activity in his brain.  Later, William’s parents found out that EEG tests are not very reliable when given to preemies.  Before being transferred to a hospital in Texas, their baby was given another test.  Unlike the first, it showed certain brain activity.  Soon after transferring hospitals, it became evident to William’s parents that they were not going to be treated any better by doctors in Texas.  Doctors there too argued that the preemie should not be given any more medical care.  Thankfully, they did not get their way.  Within his time spent at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, William’s parents endured nonstop hatred from the doctors.  In that course of time, many issues were disagreed upon.  Shockingly, doctors became so upset that they told lies and threatened to contact Child Protective Services.  Attorneys even became involved.  Eventually the issues were settled and baby William was finally able to be taken home after spending the first four months of his life in the NICU.  Strom’s article is somewhat biased.  It focuses strictly on the opinions of parents and the negative aspects of doctors in the NICU.  Although this is the case, doctors included in this article failed to give a logical reasoning behind their opinions; therefore, why shouldn’t readers side with the parents?  Strom’s article explained the story of baby William and his parents in a great amount of detail.  In my opinion, it was saddening.  Parents of preemies go through so much as it is.  They definitely do not need the added stress of having to deal with hurtful, lying doctors.  A number of people may not be exactly interested in this topic, which is completely understandable seeing that many are not personally connected to it.  If someone is looking for something random and shocking to read though, I would highly recommend this article!  In my opinion, the situation is extremely upsetting, and the article itself is overwhelming at times!  

NICU Medical Care: Parents Must Make Decisions

Davies, Deborah. “Ethics in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.” preemie-l.org. Preemie-L, 1999. Web. 17 Oct. 2011.

http://www.preemie-l.org/ethicsdd.html

Davies’s article expresses her opinion in regards to how parents should determine whether or not their premature baby receives medical care after being born.  She addresses the issue that all cases are very different and unique in their own way; therefore, it would be absurd to draw a specific line to determine which babies are saved and which are not (depending on exactly how many weeks premature they are born).  Davies directs her article specifically towards parents of preemies, but also to doctors and nurses within the NICU.  Her intent is to express why parents, not neonatal doctors, should be the ones to determine whether medical care is given in an attempt to save the baby.  She goes into great detail in order to make her valid point clear to readers.  As mentioned before, no two preemie stories are identical.  While there are some extremely strong preemies that have a lot of potential, there are others that have very slim chances of survival. In many of these situations, it is obvious to both doctors and parents what decision must be made.  Although this may sometimes be the case, Davies mentions how there are a number of different situations.  She states, “But there is a gray area, where the best option isn’t clear, and these difficult decisions require thoughtful, heartfelt judgments by the parents.”  After all, why should complete strangers be left to make such a serious, life or death decision?  Although Davies article is very informative, she remains very biased.  In other words, she only gives strong reasoning for the opinion she supports, which was that ultimately, parents should have the final decision regarding whether or not their preemie receives medical care after being born.  Although she remains very one sided, Davies offers a great amount of reliable information seeing that she has a Ph.D.  She had an extremely focused article, though, and organized her thoughts in a very useful manner.  Overall, I found this article very informative.  I have the exact same opinion as Davies and enjoyed listening to her thoughts regarding the topic.  This has definitely been my favorite preemie article so far, and I intend to put this knowledge towards my research paper!  I’m sure this article would be of some interest to parents or family members of preemies who also have the same views.  It was great!

Resuscitating Early Preemies: No or Go?

“Do Not Resuscitate Very Early Preemies, Says UK Report.” bioedge.org. Bio Edge, 21 Nov. 2006. Web. 11 Oct. 2011.

http://www.bioedge.org/index.php/bioethics/bioethics_article/do_not_resuscitate_very_early_preemies_says_uk_report

This Bio Edge article addresses the debatable issue of whether or not preemies born very early should be saved.  It gives examples of the extremely opposing views that doctors and parents have.  The article also includes reliable examples of the challenges that families may face during and after the fight to save their preemie.  The information is directed towards doctors, nurses, parents of preemies, and other family members.  Its intent is to inform people that each situation is different.  In other words, a preemie born relatively early may have a harder time fighting for its life than one born even earlier.  Many doctors believe giving care to babies born earlier than 22 weeks in unnecessary.  Others believe that an attempt should be made to save babies born between 24 and 25 weeks if their parents so wish.  Why were the circumstances different for Charlotte Wyatt, who was born at 26 weeks?  Doctors refused to make an attempt to save her because they believed she had no chance.  In the end, she survived but faced many disabilities.  The real question is, if doctors would have given her medical care to help fight for her life, would she have survived as a perfectly healthy little girl?  Maybe she would have, but the question will always remain.  Unfortunately, Charlotte’s handicaps put a lot of stress on her parents, who later split up because of it.  Such handicaps that preemies may face have a large impact on families.  On the other hand, the debatable issue still remains.  How early should a premature baby be before no medical care is offered in an attempt to save it?  Should a specific line be drawn at all, or should it be up to someone?  Is it fair to families if doctors decided whether or not a preemie is saved, or should it be the parents’ choice?  Bio Edge’s article brings about many unanswered questions open for discussion.  It not only touches on the views of parents but also those of doctors, council members, and medical associations; therefore, the article does not lean towards one particular side.  Overall, this article included a large range of information, along with real life examples.  These items led to a very valid point – “every case is individual and every case should be judged on its own merits.”  Although this article was full of opinions, I felt like it jumped back and forth quite a bit.  As I do more research, I plan to continue reading unbiased articles, but may also try to read some very strong biased ones.  In doing so, I feel I could find much more information and opinions from several sides of the argument.  Again, this topic probably won’t interest those my age, but seeing that I have a niece who was born premature, it catches my interest!     

21 Weeks: Too Premature To Save?

Peveteaux, April. “Saving a 21-Week-Old Preemie May Not Be Great News.” thestir.cafemom.com. The Stir, 30 May 2011. Web. 11 Oct. 2011.

http://thestir.cafemom.com/baby/121007/saving_a_21weekold_preemie_may

In this heartwarming, yet concerning article, April Peveteaux addresses the issue of whether or not saving a 21 week old preemie is a good idea.  She touches on the miracle story of one baby girl, but expresses the opinions of many regarding the issue. Her intent is to inform and educate parents, doctors, and others concerned about the possibilities preemies may face if born at an extremely early date.  Frieda, who was just one pound when being born at 21 weeks, is a perfectly good example of a worthwhile fight to save a preemie.  As of now, this strong little girl is thriving and absent of any lifetime disabilities that most babies would face if born so early.  The truth though, is that only about 3% of babies born this early are lucky enough to encounter a life with no physical or mental impairments.  The debatable issue of whether or not so much money should go towards saving these babies is ongoing.  Parents and doctors seem to have very opposing opinions regarding the issue.  Peveteaux refrains from being bias in her article.  She mentions why many mothers would argue the fact that an attempt should be made to save their baby, no matter its prematurity.  While doing so, Peveteaux also explains the concerns doctors and nurses have in regards to the amount of money and time spent to try and save these preemies.  Overall, this was a very brief, yet informative article.  It remained very balanced and offered views from both sides.  Although many of my classmates may not find interest in this topic since it greatly affects parents and doctors, I do plan to further my research.  In doing so, I will find detailed views from both sides of the issue, explaining why certain people think the way they do.  

Reflection of Six Topics

Overall, I enjoyed reading the six articles I chose to post about.  Each were very different from one another, but several of them related in some way.  The six topics I blogged about are the following: Teen Curfew, Preemies Worth Saving, Idolizing of Celebrities, Cruelty of Zoos, Reality TV Shows, and the Effect of Social Networking on Kids.  My favorite by far was "Preemies Worth Saving?"  I enjoyed putting my prior knowledge of this topic towards my first paper, the individual source essay.  Because my niece (Adelynn) was born premature, I have very strong opinions regarding whether or not doctors should be able to choose if preemies have the chance of being saved or not.  Since I enjoyed writing that paper as much as I did, I would like to continue putting what I know towards a future assignment, such as our research paper.  As for my argumentative essay, I have thought a lot about which of my six topics would be best to argue about.  Teen curfew and the effect of social networking on kids are both directed towards children, teens, and their parents; therefore, I don't feel the two topics are suitable for me.  I found a lot of interest in the idolizing of celebrities and the realness of reality TV shows, but in my opinion, both would be somewhat hard to argue about seeing that I agree with both sides of each in some way.  I have came to the conclusion that I will use the topic "Are Zoos Cruel?" for my argumentative essay.  I believe I will be able to research enough information regarding the views of both sides.  I then plan to choose a reasonable solution to accommodate for everyone, including zoo animals.  I am looking forward to finding more sources in regards to this topic.  After I complete my argumentative essay, I will then begin researching the debate regarding premature babies.