What is obstetric ethics?

This paper provides an overview of obstetric ethics as an essential clinical tool. First, we define two basic ethical principles, beneficence and respect for autonomy. Second, on this basis, we provide an account of two ethical senses of the concept of the fetus as a patient. On the basis of this clinical concept we identify its clinical implications for directive versus non-directive counseling for fetal benefit. Third, we provide the reader with tools for critically evaluating the literature on obstetric ethics.