Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Health Professions
 
Board
Board of Medicine
 
chapter
Regulations Governing the Practice of Licensed Midwives [18 VAC 85 ‑ 130]
Action Disclosure requirements for high-risk pregnancies
Stage NOIRA
Comment Period Ended on 11/25/2009
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11/5/09  12:31 pm
Commenter: Jennifer Cassell

Informed Consent for Maternity Care
 

I would like to voice my support in the involving establishment of regulatory precedent for evidenced-based informed consent for women seeking maternity care.

Last year, the General Assembly passed a bill requiring Certified Professional Midwives to prove evidenced-based informed disclosure to all women seeking home birth.  I think that it is only right and fair to require women seeking hospital births to be provided with information regarding the potential risks of hospital births, including increased chances of infections, potential risks of any medications used, and the increased risks of Caesarean sections.  Women seeking hospital births should be given scientific research-based evidence, not just opinions, of the risks and benefits of hospital birth, as well as the risks and benefits of home birth.

CommentID: 10071