Does refusing to consent to a C-section make you an unfit mother?

A New Jersey women refused to give her consent to a C-section in the event her baby was in distress (which was entirely within her legal rights). And although she went on to give birth vaginally to a healthy baby, her parental rights were terminated and her baby was taken away. According to the court, she "abused and neglected her child" by refusing the C-section and she behaved "erratically" during labor.

The court pointed to hospital records that stated the woman was "combative," "uncooperative," "erratic," "noncompliant," "irrational" and "inappropriate."

The court's opinion also focused on the fact that the mother had been under psychiatric care for the past twelve years. However, if she had not refused the C-section, her psychological state would not have been put under a microscope-and she would have gone home with her baby.

Custody of the baby has been given to her foster parents.

You can check out the court's official ruling at MomLogic.

Do you think a baby should be taken away from her mother for her refusal to consent to a C-section?

Written by Suzanne Murray for CafeMom's Baby Buzz