Agree, with no further discussion or interference

Agreeing to support the wishes of the community, I respect their autonomy in decision-making and aid in their self-determination. I only offer what is asked for and do not assume that my opinions are relevant or beneficial.

By not providing my opinion, however, I might be depriving the community members of the ability to make a fully autonomous and informed choice instead of simply feeling uneasy about listening to the doctor. Speaking out might actually promote freedom of choice by making another option available and, by not doing so, I am limiting the community’s freedoms.

I also deny my personal autonomy by not sharing my informed opinion with my friends and informants in the community.

Beneficence:
While they do receive the benefit of increased access to care they may want or need, I deny my informants the potential benefits of offering alternative information if I simply agree to drive them.

I, as a researcher, receive the benefit of pleasing the community by sharing my resources and upholding my value of reciprocity. I, however, may find myself in a potentially difficult situation if I am asked to give rides in the future and this interferes with my research agenda.

Justice:
Providing autonomy and access to this family may be seen as upholding justice. It is just for every mother, regardless of location or socio-economic status, to be given equal opportunities to receive whatever care they choose. Providing the ride upholds this ethical principle.

Withholding information about how there are alternatives to following the doctor’s orders may be seen as unjust. All people should have access to important information about their health.

My Decision:
Well, you may have guessed that this was not my choice. In addition to my finding it hard to keep my opinion to myself in the best circumstances, it simply was not ethical to withhold powerful information and support in this circumstance. C-sections can be very harmful, as can long drives on poor roads, especially if they are not medically necessary. As a researcher and a friend, I cannot ignore that my opinion matters. My support for the safety and desirability of home births has great potential to foster pride and confidence in the value of traditional medical practices and indigenous ideas in general. Keeping this knowledge to myself might be seem as unethical as withholding the ride itself.