When complications hit childbirth, 1-in-5 Aussie women feel they were not asked for consent

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-08-30 03:00

Australia; NSW

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A small study involving 40 telephone interviews with women who had given birth in two major Aussie maternity units found one-in-five women felt informed consent was absent or inadequate when complications arose during birth, one-in-four suggested changing policies to ensure a formal informed consent process, and just over half suggested policies need to change to help women prepare for giving birth and possible complications. The authors say informed consent for vaginal birth and formal birth preparedness and complication readiness should form part of routine antenatal care.