'Incompatible with extrauterine life': SC court authorizes woman to terminate pregnancy with fetus with malformation

Illustrative image of pregnancy Hospital das Clínicas/Disclosure The Santa Catarina Court authorized the therapeutic interruption of a 17-week pregnancy after medical examinations confirmed that the fetus was unable to survive outside the uterus. The decision released this week is from the Family Court of a city in the west of the state. The woman's name nor the region of origin were revealed. In the decision, it was detailed that the fetus presented the most serious form of brain malformation, called alobar holoprosencephaly. The complete absence of the nose and extensive cleft lip and palate were also confirmed. ?Click and follow the g1 SC channel on WhatsApp The pregnancy termination was authorized after analyzing the medical reports and the favorable opinion of the Public Ministry (MPSC). The procedure was granted with the pregnant woman's consent and carried out in a qualified hospital. The judge in the case signed the decision that although the termination of pregnancy in Brazil is prohibited, there are exceptions in cases where the fetus's extrauterine life is impossible, following the understanding of the Federal Supreme Court. "As can be seen, the initial is accompanied by sufficient documentation to demonstrate that the fetus presents a situation incompatible with extrauterine life, as well as that the applicant, in addition to facing a high-risk pregnancy, has health conditions that require superior care and medical monitoring (obesity, gestational diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism that is difficult to control with high doses of levothyroxine)", he wrote. The psychological and family factors of the woman were also considered in the decision, as she was sustaining a high-risk pregnancy and is responsible for another child dependent on her care.