The Choice of Two Mothers: Disability, Gender, Sexuality, and Prenatal Testing

Abstract

This article employs an autoethnographic method in describing and analyzing the moral dilemmas faced by two lesbian mothers when they contemplated prenatal, genetic testing options during two pregnancies. It focuses on the inconsistencies in their decision-making processes-that is, that these same parents opt to do amniocentesis for one pregnancy but choose not for another one fewer than 2 years later. The discussion highlights the influence that contextual factors have on the discrepancy in their reasoning and behavior. By critiquing both the mothers' rationales and clinicians' approaches to these procedures, the article seeks to show that the weakness of employing ethical and counseling paradigms and discussions in highly contextual, real-life situations.