Ep. 283: Your Legal Rights & Informed Consent in Childbirth: Insights from Advocate & Lawyer Hermine Hayes-Klein

The Birth Lounge Podcast

Join HeHe as she delves into an important conversation with lawyer Hermine Hayes-Klein on the legal challenges and solutions surrounding informed consent and women's rights in childbirth. The episode discusses systemic flaws in the U.S. hospital system that often violate birthing individuals' rights and how these can be tackled. Hayes-Klein shares her personal experiences and strategies for understanding and asserting one’s rights, the pivotal role of the right healthcare provider, and the significance of doulas in protecting patient autonomy. Learn about practical advice, legal support, the impact of obstetric violence, and crucial conversations every doula must have to ensure a respectful and empowered birthing experience.

Understanding Informed Consent in Childbirth

Global Perspectives on Maternal Health

The Reality of Obstetric Practices

The Law of Informed Consent

Case Studies of Obstetric Violence

The Role of Nurses in Informed Consent

Challenges and Solutions in Maternal Care

The Unique Evil of Female OBs

Understanding Withdrawn Consent

The Reality of Anesthesia Failures

Navigating Consent Forms

Doctors as Service Providers

The Right to Refuse a C-Section

The Rise of Unassisted Births

The Role of Doulas in Childbirth

Empowering Doulas to Advocate

Guest Bio:

Hermine is an attorney specializing in human rights and pregnancy and childbirth. Her law practice focuses on defending midwives And advocating for access to midwifery, and holding obstetric providers, responsible for the violation of informed consent. Through the birthright law project, she offers document packages for Doula and for out of hospital, midwives, as well as assistance with birth plans and getting them respected.

INSTAGRAM:

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Connect with Hermine on IG

BIRTH EDUCATION:

Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!

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LINKS MENTIONED:

Connect with Hermine:

Birthrightslawproject.com

hayeskleinlaw.com

Nursing article:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1751485123001587?via%3Dihub

Examples of articles referencing how informed consent improves outcomes:
https://www.envisionhealth.com/news/2024/shared-decision-making-in-healthcare#:~:text=How%20do%20informed%20consent%20and,the%20overall%20cost%20of%20care.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9486853/