May an expectant mother undergo chemo?
The Rambam states that a woman whose life is endangered by her pregnancy may abort the fetus. The baby is tantamount to a rodef (pursuer), in which case, the mother’s life takes precedence; the pregnancy may be terminated in order to save the mother’s life.
If an expectant mother is diagnosed with a terminal illness, lo aleinu (may G-d spare us), and must undergo intensive treatment, such as chemotherapy—which may harm the fetus or even terminate the pregnancy—the above halachah likely applies.
If, chas v’shalom (G-d forbid) the illness is so advanced that the likelihood of successful treatment is minute, questions may arise concerning the permissibility of compromising the fetus; if the mother’s life is no longer viable (called treifah), then what bearing does the fetus have on it and what is the heter (halachic dispensation) to abort?
There are poskim who endorse treatment even in the direst circumstances. They posit that the fetus currently depends exclusively on the mother for survival, such that its precarious state does not take precedence. In addition, the risks of drug therapies may well be considered grama (indirect), since they are not actively killing the fetus.
The many complicated circumstances that are unique to each situation require individual, and empathetic, halachic guidance from a rav who is mumcheh (expert) in medical matters. #620
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