Caesarean Awareness Month: Understanding Your Rights

April marks caesarean Awareness Month, a special time to spread the word about caesarean births (c-sections) and empower you with knowledge about your rights during childbirth. Central to these rights is informed consent, a vital practice that ensures you can make choices about your birth plan based on clear, complete information.

Informed consent is all about your freedom to choose. Before any medical procedure, including a c-section, you should feel confident in giving permission based on a full understanding of what’s involved. This includes knowing the benefits, risks, other options available, and what might happen if you choose not to proceed. Here’s what makes your consent valid:

Voluntary: Your decision should be your own, without pressure from anyone.

Informed: You deserve all the facts to help you make a decision you’re comfortable with.

Capacity: You should understand the information you’re given and feel ready to make an informed choice.

Relevant: Your consent is only valid for the procedure you discussed and agreed to.

Getting information early is key, especially if you’re planning a caesarean. You should have access to the details in ways that work best for you, whether that’s in print, through visuals, or with the help of a translator. These resources help you weigh your options with a clear understanding of what to expect. Despite efforts to improve communication with patients sometimes family members end up translating important medical details, which can lead to misunderstandings. It’s important for healthcare providers to use professional interpreters to ensure you receive reliable and clear information where there is a communication barrier. Never be afraid to ask for clarification.

If you ever feel that your choice for a caesarean is being ignored, there are people who can help, like the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) in England and Wales, and similar services in Scotland.

Informed consent is more than a legal formality; it’s a way to ensure that you feel heard, respected, and supported in making decisions about your body and your baby. This Caesarean  Awareness Month, let’s focus on fostering clear and compassionate communication between you and your healthcare providers. Here’s to your health, empowerment, and the safe arrival of your little one!