18/03/2022
GET TO KNOW YOUR BIRTH RIGHTS:
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY & RESPECT AT ALL TIMES.
- Healthcare professionals should be respectful & polite to you and in response to your decisions
- They should support and listen to your individual needs & care
- This means never being made to feel vulnerable or exposed
- Even if healthcare professionals disagree with your choices, they must respect them
- If you have a disability, require an interpreter, or require any other personalised or extra care this should be available to you
- You have the right to complain should you feel these aren’t met
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY NO.
- Your body your decision
- You must be asked and AGREE TO medicals treatments
- You have the right to refuse, medical interventions, pain relief, the monitoring of you or your baby
- You have the right to ask for more time to make a decision OR change your mind at any point
- You must not be coerced into making a decision, your consent must be informed & GENUINE
- It is your right to make your own decisions for your own baby
MATERNITY SERVICES ARE THERE TO SUPPORT YOU & YOUR CARE NEEDS.
- They can only say no to your decision if they have good reason
- If maternity services say no, their reason much be explained, saying “it’s our policy/rules” is not a valid explanation
- You always have the right to choose a homebirth or birth without assistance
IF YOUR RIGHTS ARE BEING IGNORED OR NOT LISTENED TO.
- You can ask to speak to the Head of Midwifery (senior midwife) in your area
- Or try contacting Birthrights.org
- Even if you are not ‘ordinarily a resident’ in the UK everyone has the right to care
YOU HAVE THE RIGHTS TO HAVE ALL YOUR BASIC NEEDS MET.
- This includes access to food, water, pain relief (unless good medical reason to say no) & support going to toilet
- When you ask for help/care, you should be taken seriously & listened to!
For more in depth explanation of your rights and translations, head to:
https://www.birthrights.org.uk
https://www.birthrights.org.uk/factsheets/your-basic-birth-rights-translated/