TikTok's "living will" trend is putting expecting mothers at risk.
TikTok has seen a new trend that adds more fear to expecting mothers, and that is preparing a "living will."
This trend has mothers creating a will that instructs medical professionals to prioritize them, their well-being, and their lives rather than the life of their unborn child.
TikTok's 'living will' trend putting mothers and babies at risk
According to WTVR, mothers-to-be are turning to the social media platform TikTok to share a new trend that has taken off in the wake of the recent overturn of Roe v. Wade.
In anticipation of possible complications during childbirth, more pregnant women are creating "living wills" to ensure that their own lives are prioritized in life-threatening situations.
The trend has sparked a flurry of dueling videos, with some mothers advocating for prioritizing the life of their unborn child and others urging doctors to focus on saving their own lives first.
The videos have elicited strong emotions among pregnant women and other viewers, as the potential consequences of these decisions are life and death.
Ashley Martinez, a mother of four boys, is one of those who has created a living will. She cited the recent ban on abortions in Texas as one of the main reasons for her decision, as she fears that doctors may prioritize her baby's life over her own in case of an emergency.
With the overturn of Roe v. Wade, according to American University, many states have passed or are considering restrictive abortion laws, leaving many pregnant women concerned about their reproductive rights and their ability to decide about their bodies.
As a result, more expectant mothers are taking extra precautions and planning for worst-case scenarios. As the debate over reproductive rights continues to rage on, it remains to be seen how this trend will evolve and what impact it may have on the future of maternal healthcare in America.
Doctors are speaking out against TikTok's 'living will' trend
Complications can occur during pregnancy, leading doctors to recommend delivery to save the mother's life.
According to CNN, in such cases, if the delivery is done before 24 weeks when the fetus is not viable, the baby's chances of survival are low, said Dr. Elizabeth Langen, a maternal-fetal medicine physician at the University of Michigan Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital.
The reversal of Roe v. Wade has complicated the termination of such pregnancies. In cases involving a non-viable baby, even when the baby is unlikely to survive, and the mother's health is at risk, there is a fear of legal ramifications, and the priority may be on saving the baby, according to Langen.
The doctor asserts that such scenarios do not occur during the birth of a viable baby. In such instances, hospitals have adequate resources to meet the needs of both the mother and the baby.
Dr. Lagen clarified that medical professionals strive to care for both the mother and the baby. She explained that when a mother's health is deteriorating, she will not be able to support the unborn child's well-being, and doctors usually implement measures that support the mother's overall health.
She added that there is rarely a circumstance where they will harm the mother to benefit the baby. Dr. Lagen advised that, in rare cases, it is important for patients to discuss their medical concerns with their healthcare providers and share their "living will" wishes with loved ones in case of labor complications.
However, the doctor noted that this is not a situation a mother is likely to find herself in.
