Aisengart Menezes RA, Luna N. pregnancy and maternal brain death: decisions on the fetal life. Interface

This paper presents cases of brain death of pregnant women in different countries, that were published in the press, aiming to reflect about the decision making process on the prolongation of somatic support of vital functions of the women, in order to keep fetal development until they reach viability. Based on the analysis of the positioning of the different social actors involved, such as family, medical staff, religious authorities and Justice officials among others, this paper reveals the values that are present in each context and situation. Keywords: Brain death. Pregnancy. Fetus. Vital support. Decisions.