What Is Informed Consent in Maternity Care and Why Does It Matter?

Birthstone Midwifery

Patient Rights · Advocacy

What Is Informed Consent in Maternity Care
and Why Does It Matter?

By Tayna Chessman, LM, CPM  ·  Birthstone Midwifery

Informed consent is not a form you sign before a procedure. It is a fundamental right — and a continuous conversation that should run through every single interaction you have with your maternity care provider from the first prenatal visit through postpartum.

What Informed Consent Actually Means

True informed consent means that before any procedure, test, or intervention is performed, you have been given complete, honest, and understandable information about what is being proposed — and that you have freely agreed to it without pressure, coercion, or manufactured urgency. It also means you have been told what happens if you decline.

As a California Licensed Midwife, informed consent is one of the core values at Birthstone Midwifery. Every recommendation I make comes with an explanation of what it is, why I am recommending it, what the alternatives are, and what declining looks like.

"You do not give up your right to make decisions about your own body the moment you become pregnant. Your autonomy does not pause for nine months."

The Five Elements of True Informed Consent

• Information — You receive complete, accurate, and understandable information about the proposed procedure or test
• Understanding — The information is explained in a way you actually understand — not buried in medical jargon
• Voluntariness — Your decision is made freely, without pressure, manipulation, or fear-based language
• Competence — You are in a state to make a decision — not in active transition labor when the information should have been discussed earlier
• Decision — You make an actual choice — yes or no — and that choice is respected

Your Rights as a Maternity Patient in California

• The right to accept or refuse any test, procedure, or intervention
• The right to be told the risks and benefits of any proposed intervention
• The right to be told what alternatives exist
• The right to be told what happens if you decline
• The right to change your mind at any point
• The right to ask questions until you fully understand
• The right to a second opinion
• The right to have a support person present during all care

Questions You Can Always Ask Your Provider

What is this test or procedure and why are you recommending it for me specifically?

What are the risks if I do this — and what are the risks if I do not?

What are my alternatives?

Is this urgent, or do I have time to think about it?

What does the research actually say about this?

What happens if I decline?

How Informed Consent Works at Birthstone Midwifery

At Birthstone Midwifery, informed consent is not paperwork — it is the foundation of our entire relationship. Every prenatal visit includes time to discuss upcoming decisions. Every recommendation comes with honest information. And every time I make a suggestion, I also tell you what your options are if you see it differently.

You will never feel rushed, pressured, or dismissed in my care. If you want to decline something I have recommended, we talk about it. If you have questions I have not answered, we keep talking until you feel genuinely informed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I decline routine prenatal tests?

Yes. Prenatal tests are offered, not required. Each test comes with a recommendation — but the decision is yours. Informed consent means you understand what each test is looking for and what declining means for your care.

Can I decline newborn medications like Vitamin K or eye ointment?

Yes. Newborn medications and procedures are subject to informed consent just like any other intervention. My role is to give you complete, honest information about each one so you can make the decision that aligns with your values and risk tolerance.

What if my provider dismisses my questions or refuses to discuss alternatives?

That is a significant red flag. A provider who will not engage with your questions is not providing ethical care. You have the right to seek a second opinion or change providers at any point in your pregnancy.

Care That Actually Respects Your Autonomy

At Birthstone Midwifery, informed consent is not a checkbox — it is how every conversation goes. Schedule a free Midwifery Chat and experience what that actually feels like.

Schedule Your Free Consultation →

Tayna Chessman, LM, CPM (#784) is a California Licensed Midwife and the founder of Birthstone Midwifery,
serving families in Temecula, Murrieta, Winchester, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, and throughout Riverside County, California.