Pregnant Woman’s Husband Wants Her Off Life Support

Erick Munoz’s decision to take his wife off life support carries both ethical and legal challenges, because Marlise Munoz is about 18 weeks pregnant.

Marlise fell unconscious on November 26.  Her express wish is to be taken off life support, but Texas state law prohibits withholding life-sustaining treatment from a pregnant patient, regardless of the patient’s wishes.

Tests show the fetus has a normal heartbeat.  Doctors should know more about when they can take the fetus out at week 24.

See Elizabeth Landau, Husband of Pregnant Woman Wants Her Off Life Support, CNN, Dec. 24, 2013.

Special thanks to Jim Hillhouse (Professional Legal Marketing (PLM, Inc.)) for bringing this article to my attention.