Death Panels!

[Krill]

The High Court in London is judging whether a pregnant woman with bipolar disorder has the mental capacity to request an abortion.

The married 37-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, is 23 weeks into her planned pregnancy.

The court heard how she began asking for a termination after she is believed to have stopped taking her medication.

Her doctors say she is not sound enough of mind to decide for herself.

The woman, who has been detained under the Mental Health Act, had said she would probably kill herself if she was forced to give birth and "locked up".

The judge, Mr Justice Holman, has been hearing evidence from a consultant psychiatrist involved in the woman's treatment, from a lawyer representing her husband and from the woman's mother.

The psychiatrist said he was "100% certain" that the woman lacked the capacity to make a decision about termination.

A lawyer representing her husband, who was at today's hearing, said he agreed with the psychiatrist's evaluation, and the woman's mother told the judge: "I know my daughter when she is well and she is definitely not well."

The hearing continues

Let the crazies post.

[rah]

Hmm the husband may not be considered the sanest person either for not taking more precautions before having sex with her.

[Jon Miller]

It was a planned pregnancy.

After the planned pregnancy, she went off her meds.

JM

[Jon Miller]

23/24, I would say no. The baby can be put up for adoption if she is not of sound mind.

If it had been 12/13, I would suggest it was better to abort.

JM

[Sava]

It was a planned pregnancy.

After the planned pregnancy, she went off her meds.

JM

The story doesn't mention this. Are you guessing?

[Jon Miller]

The married 37-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, is 23 weeks into her planned pregnancy.

The court heard how she began asking for a termination after she is believed to have stopped taking her medication.

JM

[Jon Miller]

The married 37-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, is 23 weeks into her planned pregnancy.

The court heard how she began asking for a termination after she is believed to have stopped taking her medication.

JM

[dannubis]

You could also bold it... twice

[loinburger]

Mental health is a bit of a tricky legal corner case. "You haven't done anything wrong, but we're going to deprive you of your rights anyway."

[DinoDoc]

From the PoV of UK law, what's the issue here? She's not presenting a danger to herself or anyone the law might be in a position to care about.

[Krill]

Mental Capacity Act (2005) applies to everyone: if someone has a mental impairment (which she does and anyone can get because it applies to any source of mental impairment ie drunkenness and such) then the if the person lacks capacity to make a specific decision, and lacks an advanced decision regarding refusal of treatment (can't make an advanced decision requesting treatment like here), and there is no Lasting Power of Attorney, either a clinical team makes a best interests decision or a court decides what happens. However, because she is threatening to harm herself (suicidal) in case she isn't allowed an abortion (and she is right on the cusp of it being illegal at 24 weeks), then she is technically sectionable because she also has a treatable mental illness (Bipolar disorder can be treated using medication and via nursing intervention).

There isn't actually anything special here, it's just the scenario that includes abortion. If it didn't, she would likely still be on meds and fine, because a lot of meds to treat long term Bipolar disorder are not good for the foetus.

[Colonâ„¢]

Just wait for her next moodswing and it'll all blow over.

[Japher]

All women are bipolar. Abortions should be illegal.

[Dinner]

Colon wins thread.

[Colonâ„¢]