Teresa Benson: fetal spina bifida surgery and tomophobia
Teresa is 24 weeks pregnant and needs fetal surgery for spina bifida, but severe tomophobia causes panic during sedation and she leaves before Arizona helps her return.
In Plain English
The fetal surgery may help the baby, but Teresa has to be able to consent to and tolerate the procedure.
What Happened in the Episode
Teresa panics during sedation and leaves the hospital, then returns after Arizona helps her through the fear.
Clinical Concept
Fetal spina bifida repair complicated by severe procedure phobia.
What ER Teams Would Evaluate
A real team would review fetal imaging, gestational age, maternal risks, fetal benefits and risks, anesthesia plan, mental-health support, capacity, consent, and a non-coercive panic-management plan.
Treatment and Management Overview
Episode-supported management includes Arizona helping Teresa return and fetal surgery that is described afterward as successful.
What TV Gets Right
The episode recognizes that fear of surgery can be a clinical barrier, not a minor inconvenience.
What TV Compresses
The episode does not show eligibility criteria, fetal MRI details, anesthesia risk review, formal mental-health consultation, ethics support, or long-term fetal/neonatal follow-up.
Sources and Further Reading
- iDRief catalog page
- Grey's Anatomy Universe Wiki - Fight For Your Mind
- Fight For Your Mind transcript
- Grey's Anatomy Universe Wiki - Fight For Your MindEPISODE
Supports: Supports Teresa's pregnancy, fetal diagnosis, tomophobia, panic, leaving, return, surgery, and postoperative reassurance.
- Fight For Your Mind transcriptEPISODE
Supports: Supports scene context for Teresa's panic and fetal surgery.
- MedlinePlus - Spina BifidaTIER 1
Supports: Supports general spina bifida context.
- Mayo Clinic - Spina bifida diagnosis and treatmentTIER 3
Supports: Supports general prenatal spina bifida surgery context.
- NIMH - Phobias and Phobia-Related DisordersTIER 2
Supports: Supports general specific-phobia context.