Abstract
Medical consent, the process of agreeing the benefits and risks of a treatment or
procedure, has specific challenges in pregnancy and labour. Consent should take the
form of a discussion about risk and include the alternatives. It should be an ongoing
process with the right to withdraw consent or seek further information if the person
chooses. Ideally all risks to which the patient might attach significance should be
discussed. To consent, a person must have capacity. It is accepted that while labour
can involve stress, pain, and fatigue, and will not infrequently be in a time-critical
situation, women will normally retain the capacity to consent. This includes the right
to make decisions outside of societal norms or which put at risk the life of herself
or unborn child. In rare circumstances where an incapacitated woman requires medical
intervention in pregnancy this should be done in accordance with appropriate legislation
acting in the best interests of the mother.
Keywords
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References
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- Decision making and consent content.2020www.gmc-uk.org/ethical-guidance/ethical-guidance-for-doctors/decision-making-and-consentDate accessed: February 18, 2022
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: July 18, 2022
Royal College of Anaesthetists CPD Skills Framework: EthicsPublication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2022 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
