Abstract

The rapid development of medical science and technology without attention to ethical values has raised moral issues in the field of obstetrics. Medical professions have found themselves in a dilemma because they all geared for the mastery of knowledge and skills in diagnosis and scientific decision-making, but lack the skills needed for ethical assessment. Formal education and training in ethical assessment is needed to help make medical decisions that can be justified. This paper intends to describe a new approach in improving the quality of medical practice in obstetric care based on competence in bioethics and clinical Ethics in accordance with the demand of society in developing countries. Ethics should be observed by every physician as indicated in the “Preamble of Indonesian Code of Medical Ethics”. It includes values such as purity of intention, generosity, humility, sincerity in work, scientific and social integrity, and amity among physicians. Ethics is related to legal aspects, and the two are complementary for achieving good practice in medicine. Obstetric care decisions cannot rely on a single approach; several alternative approaches including feminist ethics and bioethical principles should always be considered in medical decision-making. Consultation with experts in the field or a hospital ethics committee can also be helpful. Therefore no good ethical decision can be made without ethical guidance.