What Is Informed Consent?
Understanding your rights in pregnancy, birth, and baby care
Informed consent is about you — your body, your baby, and your choices. It means having the right information, the time to consider your options, and the freedom to make the decisions that feel right for you.
What does informed consent look like?
Before any procedure, test, or treatment, you should be given:
- ✅ Clear, relevant information
- ✅ Risks, benefits, and alternatives
- ✅ Time to ask questions and make your decision
Then — you decide. You can say yes, no, or I need more time.
Your rights in New Zealand
Under New Zealand law, informed consent is a legal right. That means:
- 🔸 Nothing can be done to you without your informed consent
- 🔸 Your midwife or doctor can make recommendations, but you always have the final say
- 🔸 Support people can be involved, but only you can consent to your own care
When it comes to your baby:
- 💬 Either parent can give consent for baby-related decisions
- 👥 Staff will include both parents where possible — but consent must come from a legal guardian
Planning ahead: a real-life example
Let’s say you’re in theatre and baby needs a feed. It helps to have a plan ahead of time so everyone’s on the same page:
- Will baby be given expressed breast milk?
- Is donor milk an option you’re comfortable with?
- Would you prefer formula in certain situations?
- Or would you like baby to wait (if safe) until you’re able to feed?
Talk about this with your care team before birth — it’s much easier to make decisions when you’re not in the middle of something big.
What about NICU or urgent care situations?
In urgent settings (like NICU or emergency care), staff may act in your baby’s best interests for minor interventions (e.g. a heel prick or blood sugar check). But any significant procedures will still require your informed consent.
❤️ Your body. Your baby. Your voice.
You’re in charge — and your care team is there to support, inform, and empower you, never to pressure.
If you're ever unsure, you can always ask:
- What are the risks and benefits?
- What are the alternatives?
- Can I have more time to decide?
You're not just allowed to ask — you're encouraged to. That’s what informed consent is all about.