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Catholic teaching includes the principle of unintended effect. This means that if you take steps to assist the mother and it causes the death of a baby, that isn't what you meant to do. Therefore, it can not be sinful, because you didn't want or intend the death of the baby.
Of course, that doesn't make the decision any easier. Doctors often err on the cautious side in favor of the mother, when the chances may be high, but not 100 % that the mom will die. There are many wonderful stories about courageous mothers who persevered through difficult pregnancies and both mother and child lived to tell the story to family and friends. Most hospitals have counselors who can assist in such a difficult decision. They know Catholic teaching, if if they are not Catholic, and can help to work through this heart-wrenching time in a family's life. |