Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Informed Consent

Even if you decide not to hire a Doula to support you during labor, here's a tip to advocate for yourself to your caregiver:  If your caregiver desires to intervene with your natural labor process, I encourage you and/or your partner to ask the following questions!
  • What are the risks associated with this intervention?
  • Is the situation "urgent"? What happens if we wait?
  • Are there alternatives? Is there something else we can try?
  • What "problem" are you trying to "fix"?  What happens next if it doesn't "work"?
  • What would happen if we do nothing?
This is called getting Informed Consent from your caregiver (OB, mid-wife, etc.).  It is what is required before intervention is enacted.  Many interventions do come with risks and sadly, interventions often lead to other interventions (like a domino effect).  Make sure you are in the know!  It is your body, your baby, your birth experience after all :)

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