Some current obstetric and gynaecological problems

It has never been right to practise obstetrics and gynaecology in a purely mechanistic style. Medical practitioners have always discussed and argued, often driven by their patients, both the ethical framework and the individu al circumstantial detail of practice within this specialty. This chapter st arts by discussing the place of ethics and minimum core values for practice . Their integration into every doctor-patient relationship must be taught f rom the earliest training. It is not possible to catalogue every circumstan ce within the specialty where there are ethical problems to be addressed. P rinciples are outlined and many examples within the context of routine gene ral specialty practice including aspects of pregnancy and fertility control are considered.