https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:44:44 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/3#post-1378136 Mon, 27 Jan 2014 10:14:22 +0000 psw27 1378136@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just an update to this thread, Ms. Munoz was removed from life support on Sunday afternoon. :sad: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/3#post-1374551 Fri, 24 Jan 2014 19:16:54 +0000 mrskc 1374551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank goodness! I really hope they don't appeal. Just let the family finally mourn their losses. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/3#post-1374548 Fri, 24 Jan 2014 19:13:47 +0000 Ree723 1374548@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh thank goodness, this poor family can finally have some closure and grieve their horrific losses. My heart goes out to them.</p> <p>I just really hope there isn't an appeal - let the poor family be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/3#post-1374512 Fri, 24 Jan 2014 18:41:30 +0000 MsLipGloss 1374512@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSCB: I am relieved. I hope the family can begin to find closure and peace. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/3#post-1374493 Fri, 24 Jan 2014 18:21:09 +0000 yoursilverlining 1374493@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSCB: thank goodness; let this family grieve for their loved ones. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/3#post-1374489 Fri, 24 Jan 2014 18:17:29 +0000 DillonLion 1374489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank God this saga is hopefully almost over. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/3#post-1374483 Fri, 24 Jan 2014 18:13:58 +0000 MrsSCB 1374483@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: I was afraid they might appeal, but I really hope they don't. Just leave this family alone to grieve. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/3#post-1374481 Fri, 24 Jan 2014 18:12:02 +0000 Mae 1374481@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The latest article says she has to be removed by 5pm Monday, but that the other side may appeal. I hope they don't, and just let her rest in peace (finally).</p> <p><a href="http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Judge-Marlise-Munoz-to-be-removed-from-life-support-241887051.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Judge-Marlise-Munoz-to-be-removed-from-life-support-241887051.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/3#post-1374476 Fri, 24 Jan 2014 18:07:38 +0000 loveisstrange 1374476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSCB: thank god. That poor woman. :( I'm glad she's finally having her wishes respected. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/3#post-1374472 Fri, 24 Jan 2014 18:04:11 +0000 Emsmems 1374472@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSCB: I just saw that. Such a sad case but it seems like it's for the best </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/3#post-1374471 Fri, 24 Jan 2014 18:04:05 +0000 coopsmama 1374471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSCB: Thank goodness. Such a tough, devastating situation all around. My thoughts are with her family as they move on with their lives. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/3#post-1374426 Fri, 24 Jan 2014 17:32:59 +0000 MrsSCB 1374426@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A judge just ordered that she be taken off life support within the hour. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/3#post-1373658 Fri, 24 Jan 2014 12:58:14 +0000 lizzywiz 1373658@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: @blackbird:<br /> I agree that it is the spouse's (and father of the baby) choice and I wouldn't wish it upon anyone. The poor man already knows the beauty of having a child and is probably thinking of that child in his decision. I do not like that this is a state or policy decision.<br /> Although this is not quite the same as prolife/ prochoice debate, it IS about pro-life issues, and abortion is legal (for now), whether people agree or not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/3#post-1373598 Fri, 24 Jan 2014 12:33:47 +0000 MsLipGloss 1373598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaG: I don't know that this situation would ever get to that part of the (insurance) analysis to the extent that the insurance only covers an insured . . . the mother is dead, so she doesn't have coverage, and the fetus doesn't qualify for coverage, or very likely would be excluded from coverage, as a pre-existing condition can apply from the moment of birth.</p> <p>ETA: And this is just the superficial analysis . . . coverage in this case would be a bear to sort out </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/3#post-1373557 Fri, 24 Jan 2014 12:22:27 +0000 MamaG 1373557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is local to me, the hospital is the non-profit county hospital, so I'm sure that the bills will be swept away if there isn't insurance. </p> <p>Secondly, in our current insurance situation there are no longer maximums that insurance will pay, once they have me the out of pocket maximum the family/patient doesn't have any further expense. There might be two plan years to be concerned with though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/3#post-1373520 Fri, 24 Jan 2014 12:10:19 +0000 blackbird 1373520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Interesting...plus, how many medical bills for that baby, ya know? Even if they remove it at 25, 28, 30 weeks...it's severely deformed. Is the state going to pay for its medical care as long as it's alive? A care facility or whatever? </p> <p>Kind of a morbid thought, but one that i was wondering about, nonetheless. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/3#post-1370843 Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:39:41 +0000 MsLipGloss 1370843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: @psw27: It would be battled out between the Hospital and the State I imagine. The Hospital would argue the State would be liable to the Hospital to the extent that the Hospital is liable to the Husband (don't know Texas law on third party liability). Also, I don't know if sovereign immunity would come in to play such that an action against the State would be barred and the Hospital would be left holding the bag. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/3#post-1370816 Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:31:46 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1370816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: I completely agree. I'm saying if fetus is previability, then fetus doesn't make it, sadly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/3#post-1370799 Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:27:01 +0000 psw27 1370799@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>interesting point @blackbird. I'm always curious about insurance coverage/medical bills in these sorts of situations. I'm guessing he would have to sue the state to make them liable if it was against his wishes. The bills have to be close to a million dollars by now - ICU for 8+ weeks... plus legal bills. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/2#post-1370771 Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:22:29 +0000 blackbird 1370771@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm also of the opinion that since the woman is dead (the fetus is being kept alive in a dead body. Not a good situation. This baby is not going to do well), the decision defaults to the husband. He gets to decide for his wife and unborn fetus what to do. </p> <p>So if this child is born and has 8M worth of medical bills, is he going to have to pay them, when he was advocating for pulling the plug to begin with? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/2#post-1370664 Thu, 23 Jan 2014 13:56:51 +0000 MsLipGloss 1370664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlebug: Yeah, I imagine a *death* changes that procedure and the Hospital's obligations regarding the body (as it becomes property). *augh* What a mess. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/2#post-1370630 Thu, 23 Jan 2014 13:45:14 +0000 MsLipGloss 1370630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jedeve: I don't know that insurance covers treatment for (legally) dead patients . . . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/2#post-1370625 Thu, 23 Jan 2014 13:43:28 +0000 littlebug 1370625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jedeve: That is an urban legend. Never let anyone tell you that if you sign out AMA your insurance won't pay. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/2#post-1370623 Thu, 23 Jan 2014 13:42:52 +0000 littlebug 1370623@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: In general you're absolutely right. I work in a hospital and patients sign out AMA all the time. I think in the case of a brain-dead patient, though, it is different. The body has to be "released" by the hospital. I know when we have patients who die, the family has to come and sign releases and the hospital has to agree to release the body to whoever comes to claim it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/2#post-1370621 Thu, 23 Jan 2014 13:42:23 +0000 Ree723 1370621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: Really good article, I could not agree more! Thanks for sharing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/2#post-1370617 Thu, 23 Jan 2014 13:40:43 +0000 jedeve 1370617@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: Also, if you leave against medical advice, insurance often won't pay, I believe. Which would leave the family with a pretty hefty bill. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/2#post-1370615 Thu, 23 Jan 2014 13:40:35 +0000 Mae 1370615@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@psw27: totally agree. Unless there is some serious reason to doubt the spouse (like for example if they are legally separated or if there was some allegation that he was abusive and caused the injury) it just seems right to me that the spouse gets to decide. I trust my husband implicitly. I know that he would protect our baby if there was a real chance of her leading a normal life. I would trust him to make that decision for me/us absolutely regardless of whether I had thought to account for this specific circumstance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/2#post-1370606 Thu, 23 Jan 2014 13:38:49 +0000 MsLipGloss 1370606@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlebug: I don't know the technical ins-and-outs of it, but generally speaking, when families disagree with care plans set forth by a medical provider, the family can usually arrange a transfer to a different provider/facility . . . . of course, they would have to sign all sorts of paperwork and acknowledge that the transfer was being done AMA (against medical advice), but it is my understanding that generally, hospitals can't retain corporeal control against a family's wishes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/2#post-1370594 Thu, 23 Jan 2014 13:35:10 +0000 littlebug 1370594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@psw27: I believe (though someone is free to correct me if I'm wrong) that in order for the family to remove her from the hospital, the hospital has to sign a death certificate. Since the hospital is refusing to let her body "die," the family can't simply take her from the hospital. </p> <p>I think this is what happened in the case of that young girl who went to the hospital for a tonsilectomy and, after complications, became brain dead - the hospital would only release her to the continuing care center if the family would allow them to sign a death certificate. Here it's the opposite scenario - the family wants the hospital to sign a death cert and the hospital refuses to do so. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husband-wants-life-support-removed-from-unresponsive-pregnant-wife-thoughts/page/2#post-1370588 Thu, 23 Jan 2014 13:33:06 +0000 MsLipGloss 1370588@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@beaker: In this situation, the baby would not survive delivery. If the mother is dead, the fetus is pre-viability, and the father is saying *pull the plug*, how does the father not get to be the decision-maker in this scenario? </p>