Comfort and Humanization in End-of-Life Contexts

This article aims to reflect on the role of anesthetic decision-making in promoting comfort and dignity in a pregnant patient with terminal illness, in light of Katharine Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory, through a case report. This is a rare condition with a poor prognosis, posing significant challenges to anesthetic practice. The choice of continuous epidural anesthesia, despite being a relative contraindication in cases involving the central nervous system, allowed for the preservation of maternal consciousness during childbirth. This approach enabled the patient to experience the birth and establish early contact with the newborn, aligning with the principles of the Golden Hour. The case highlights the promotion of comfort across physical, psychospiritual, and sociocultural dimensions. It is concluded that anesthetic decision-making, in this context, constitutes an ethical practice guided by dignity and the humanization of care.