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Critical issues in psychiatry and reproduction

  • Published:
Advances in Contraception

Abstract

In addition to their traditional role in counseling about contraception and sterilization, psychiatrists are becoming increasingly involved in decisions surroundingin vitro fertilization, surrogate motherhood, and artificial insemination. The medical-legal and ethical ramifications of these issues are other significant areas involving the psychiatrist. Exploration of feelings and fears about reproduction can benefit from psychiatric involvement for successful outcomes.

Resumé

En plus de leur rôle traditionnel de conseillers en matière de contraception et de stérilisation, les psychiatres sont de plus en plus appelés à donner leur avis pour des décisions concernant la fécondationin vitro, la maternité par personne interposée, et l'insémination artificielle. Les ramifications éthiques et médico-juridiques de ces questions sont autant de domaines importants dans lesquels intervient le psychiatre. La réussite de leur aboutissement peut bénéficier de l'exploration des sentiments et des craintes concernant la reproduction que représente l'intervention psychiatrique.

Resumen

Además de su papel tradicional de consejeros en materia de anticoncepción y esterilización, los psiquiatras son llamados cada vez más a dar su opinión en decisiones relativas a la fecundaciónin vitro, la maternidad por interpósita persona y la inseminación artificial. Las ramificaciones éticas y médico-jurídicas de estas cuestiones son otras áreas importantes en las que interviene el psiquiatra. La exploración de los sentimientos y temores relativos a la reproducción puede verse beneficiada, con resultado satisfactorio, por la intervención psiquiátrica.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Heritage Place, Suite 900, 155 Queen Street, K1P 6L1, Ottawa, Canada

    S. M. Smith

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  1. S. M. Smith
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Additional information

This paper is based on a presentation given at the Seventh International Meeting of the Society for the Advancement of Contraception, which was held in Singapore on 4–11 November, 1990.

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Smith, S.M. Critical issues in psychiatry and reproduction. Adv Contracept 7, 173–180 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01849407

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01849407

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