BIRTH AFTER DEATH

Grey River Argus, 7 August 1937, Page 9

BIRTH AFTER DEATH

RIGHT OF THE UNBORN * U.S.A. Court Order FOR CAESAREAN OPERATION. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.l (Received August R. 7.40 p.m.) PHILADELPHIA, August 5. There has been a most unusual medical-legal case here. The authorities of a hospital have obtained from the Court an order to perform the Caesarean Section operation on a woman after her death in order that her child may be delivered. The order has been granted in relation to Mrs Mary Bocca’wsini, aged 27 years, the wife of a farmer-labourer, Ihe operation to be performed immediately after her death. ' Mrs Boccawsini was unconscious, and she was given fifteen hours to live owing to her having tubercular meningitis, but the physicians were convinced that her infant can be delivered during the eight minutes before the dead woman’s circulation ceases.

The husband had earlier refused his permission, but he later consented. The Court ruled that the child had the right to life and to property though it was yet unborn.

OPERATION PERFORMED. THE BABY ALIVE. (Received August 6. 11.5 p.m.) PHILADELPHIA, August 6. Mrs Boccawsini died at an early hour in the morning. The Caesarean Section operation was performed a few seconds after the woman’s death, the baby being delivered alive.