Professionally responsible counseling when a fetal anomaly is diagnosed by ultrasound

© The Author(s). 2020. Ethics plays an essential role in the clinical management of pregnancies complicated by fetal anomalies diagnosed by ultrasound. Utilizing the prima facie ethical principles of beneficence and respect for autonomy, this paper first explicates the ethical concept of the fetus as a patient. This ethical concept provides the basis for a comprehensive approach to counseling pregnant women about the management of pregnancies complicated by fetal anomalies. Practical, ethically justified guidance is given for counseling about decisions both before and after viabilities