Importance of Consent

Informed consent is a cornerstone of midwifery care. The idea is that the risks and benefits of all potential procedures is discussed during your pregnancy so that you can do further research if needed and truly give your consent, or refuse to consent, when situations arise during your pregnancy or labor. I have a philosophy of minimal interventions. The most common intervention is a cervical exam. I will always ask for permission to touch you when doing a cervical exam or other vaginal procedure. It is very important to me that you feel safe and ready; I will wait until you tell me you are and will stop immediately if you ask me to. Some interventions are in response to situations that are not time sensitive and can be revisited during labor, such as risks and benefits of breaking your bag of water, before coming to a decision together in the moment. Other situations are time sensitive, like steps involved to stop a hemorrhage, and so must be discussed ahead of time so that you know how and have consented to how I would plan to handle an emergency. I am committed to creating a relationship with you during your pregnancy where you can trust my commitment to respecting your decisions and protecting the health of you and your baby during labor. You are always welcome to ask questions and to discuss your concerns with me.

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