mothers, no matter if you go to Obstetric specialist, midwife or your local government hospital or clinic. Mothers are not informed of their rights during pregnancy, labour and postpartum.
During labour women get administered a lot of medication without their consent or knowledge of what is the purpose of the medication and what are the aftereffects. Others are even scared to a sister, Midwife what injection is being inserted inside them, because they are afraid of making the medical practitioners angry. Granted, sometimes in emergency situations medical practitioners needs to make decision to save life and ensure the well being of mother and baby.
In South Africa, the highest law in the country is the Constitution that gives rights to people to basic healthcare. The Department of Social Development went further to enforce the “Batho Pele Principles” meaning “people first”. These principles are consultation, standard service, courtesy, access, information, openness,
The department of Health created their own charter for patient rights which are listed below, that highlights the rights you as a patient have:
Basic Patient Rights charter:
A healthy and Safe Environment
Participation in Decision making
Access to Healthcare
Choice of health service
Informed consent
Refusal of treatment
Be referred for a second opinion
Right to confidentiality and Privacy
Knowledge of one’s health insurance/medical aid scheme
You as a mom-to-be deserved to know what the difference between a natural virginal delivery and a C-Section is. What are the positives and negatives of each and how do you choose? What is a epidural and when can you use it? What are the aftereffects? What are the stages of labour and what can you expect from each? What are the non-medical solutions are they for pain relief?
When you have been given all the information it will leave you empowered and allows you to ease your mind into things.
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