INFORMED CONSENT is

A legal, human, and ethical right established by law. It’s a discussion that includes risks (including future potential risks, i.e. repeat cesareans, post-episiotomy pain, impacting sex life), benefits and alternatives. This includes the right to informed REFUSAL at your birth to anything you believe is not in your and baby’s best interest. YOU get to make the risk-benefit analysis, but that means getting educated ahead of time. Speaking up for yourself and speaking your truth makes a difference!

Legally, YOU are the one who gets to choose for you and baby. And legally that should be without repercussions to you regardless of outcome.

Based on RESPECT.

VIOLATIONS OF INFORMED CONSENT is

Sadly and disgustingly common and accepted.

When a provider says: “I’m going to check you. I’m just going to break your water. We’re going to start an IV antibiotic or pitocin. You really need to do this right now. You’re not allowed to (walk around, eat, fill in the blank…). A good mother would do this. You wouldn’t want to harm your baby. I know this is what you want, but my job is to look out for your baby.”

Being guilted into something or otherwise psychologically pressured.

GET EDUCATED

Attend Childbirth Education Classes : The ABC of Birthing - Natural Childbirth Education. It offers more than physiology of labor and how a partner can support you, but also helps you to understand the risks, benefits and alternatives to interventions, procedures, testings offered to you and your baby. After taking the class, you will be able to make an informed home birth & hospital birth plan.

Make and have ready your Home Birth &/or Hospital Birth Plans.

Understand the risks, benefits and alternatives to tests, procedures, results and treatments offered to you and your baby in pregnancy, labor, birth and immediate postpartum to make informed choices.