OUR thoughts and prayers are with the mother and her young baby who are critically ill in hospital after she underwent an emergency operation in a bid to save his life.

But the case, involving a cancer sufferer too ill to give her permission for the Caesarean, once again highlights the ethical minefield which faces medical staff on a regular basis.

The child was today fighting for his life in Blackburn Infirmary after being delivered more than three months premature during the operation.

Doctors became worried for the baby's safety but were unable to get permission from the mother to carry out a Caesarean because of her condition.

They agreed with her family to seek the guidance of the High Court on Monday but on Saturday night the doctors became concerned when the mother's condition deteriorated and it became apparent there would not be time to go to court.

The baby was delivered as an emergency.

The strain on the family concerned was almost too much to bear.

But so must be the pressure on doctors who are having to grapple with legal precedent and the possibility of the full force of the law coming down on their already burdened shoulders if they make the wrong call.