Informed Consent
According to the American Medical Association informed consent "is a process of communication between a patient and physician that results in the patient's authorization or agreement to undergo a specific medical intervention."
The caregiver must inform the mother:
- What the procedure is and how it is done
- Why the procedure is being suggested
- What her recovery will be
- How the procedure or treatment will affect her, the baby and her labor
- Risks and benefits of proposed treatment
- Risks and benefits of alternative treatment
- Risks and benefits of not receiving treatment
Every intervention throughout pregnancy and labor carries possible risks and/or side effects. . It pays for the parents to educate themselves and ask questions. It is your legal right to get answers and make informed decisions.
BRAND is an acronym I learned from The Birth Book and like to pass on to my clients.
B- Benefits What are the benefits?
R-Risks What are the risks?
A-Alternatives Are there any alternatives?
N-Nothing What happens if we do nothing?
D-Decision Can we have time to make a decision?
Rights of Childbearing Women
From www.ChildbirthConnection.com "This statement outlines a set of basic maternity rights that Childbirth Connection has identified and promotes for all childbearing women. It applies widely accepted human rights to the specific situation of maternity care." For a detailed list of these rights as well as a free download see Rights of Childbearing Women