What is Informed Consent?
Informed Consent is a principle in medical ethics and medical law that a patient must have sufficient information and understanding about the process in which a health care provider educates about the risks, benefits, and alternatives about a treatment or procedure before making decisions about their medical care.
Informed Consent is NOT:
“We’re going to break your water”
“I’m just going to see how progressed you are”
“We’re going to have to take you back for a c-section”
“We’re going to start you on pitocin to speed things up”
“We’re going to put in an internal monitor to keep a close eye on baby”
“I’m going to….”
“You’re not allowed to….”
“It’s hospital policy/procedure”
Standard of Care should Include:
You should be given clear & factual information;
You should be told both the benefits & the risks;
You should not feel pressured into making a decision.
Use your BRAIN!
When navigating a recommendation from your provider, use the acronym BRAIN to help formulate questions, in order to gather more information.
- B=Benefits
- R=Risks
- A=Alternatives
- I=Intuition
- N=No, Not Now, Never, Next
Informed Consent is Not Fear Mongering
Hospital Policy is Not Law
You have a Choice
You can say No
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