Recent legal movements and rules are integrated into the practice of maternal care with an emphasis on the protection of the fetus as an entity distinct from the woman. These legal aspects would call into question the rights of the pregnant woman regarding her own medical care and her own decisions. The new fetal protection measures will result in criminal prosecution of women whose behavior is associated with fetal harm or adverse perinatal outcomes. Ethical dilemmas related to maternal decision-making are addressed because it "restricts the pregnant woman's decision-making by punishing her, thereby violating a woman's fundamental rights to privacy and bodily integrity ". (ACOG, 2011) Current technological advances in fetal imaging, testing, and treatment contribute to the perception that a fetus is considered an independent patient. They can be treated independently of the woman on whom their existence depends. Civil laws regarding the treatment of the fetus are criticized for their failure to meet the health needs of the pregnant woman. Since an intervention on a fetus must be performed through the pregnant woman's body, many ethical and legal complications related to protecting the fetus arise. The Unborn Victims of Abuse Act was signed in April 2004 and legally implemented a federal offense or crime. on a woman if it were to cause death or bodily harm to a fetus at any stage of pregnancy. Ethical dilemmas relating to the interdependence of the pregnant woman and fetus apply with respect to informed consent, patient choice in the maternal-fetal relationship, and the use of unsafe alcohol and illicit drugs . When it comes to patients' autonomous decision-making, obtaining informed conversations can create fear in women about whether their wishes in the delivery room will be respected. Reviewing the ethical challenges of advancing maternal health, the “ethics committee strongly opposes criminal prosecution of pregnant women whose activities may appear to harm their fetus.” (ACOG, 2011) Perinatal outcomes and maternal behavior are not a completely understood topic. Judicial authorities should not be instructed in the care or treatment of fetal protection procedures. Developing evidence-based practices and beneficial methods to combat maternal substance abuse will facilitate medical care while improving services that will provide safe, accessible, and effective services to women and their families. Works CitedACOG. (2011, November). Excerpt from Maternal decision-making ethics and law .