ProLife.ie - We are an education and awareness organisation committed to the promotion of the culture of life.

Britain’s top midwife has raised concerns about what she described as “the worrying trend towards the commercialisation of pregnancy”, such as the increase in “foetus parties”. Professor Cathy Warwick, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said many women now had greater expectations and aspirations about childbirth. But she warned those who went over the top in celebrating their pregnancy could need intensive counselling if something went wrong before birth.
 
Writing for the BBC News website’s Scrubbing Up column, Prof Warwick argued that the worrying trend towards the commercialisation of pregnancy can add to the burden and can increase the expectation for mothers which midwives then have to deal with.
 
“There is a worry that supposed diagnostic scans are now being used for entertainment,” she warned. “Across the country services for ‘foetus parties’ are popping up. Some companies provide a champagne celebration scan package for £165 and a VIP scan package for £185. This is a far cry from the original purpose of ultrasound.”
 
Prof Warwick said ultrasound was intended to be a screening tool to help detect babies with serious problems and ensure pregnancy management was tailored appropriately. “For example, if a baby is found to be growing slowly a decision may be taken to deliver early,” she explained. But the trend towards using ultrasound technology as a “consumer tool” raises ethical questions.
The Daily Telegraph. January 13. BBC. January 13.