Client Responsibilities

 

Midwives and their clients share in the responsibility of pregnancy, birth and postpartum care. A birth in an out-of-hospital setting implies a level of responsibility for health care that may not be found in the hospital. A thorough commitment from the client and her family is necessary to ensure the safety and well being of mother and baby. Most clients seeking a birth at home or in a birth center accept responsibility for their health, sharing information about changes in their pregnancy and matters that may affect their pregnancy and birth. It is important to maintain communication in order to respond to the particular needs a pregnant client may have during this special time in her life.

 

A client who demonstrates an appropriate level of responsibility:

 

• Will work with the midwife to change or improve diet and health habits, if needed.
   
• Will agree to additional screening, tests, or physician visits if needed due to family, medical, or obstetrical history.
   
• Will adhere to her appointment schedule, changing times only when necessary and with suitable notification..
   
• Will discuss and abide by a financial agreement.
   
• Will make a commitment to learn about her body, the changes that occur during pregnancy, and the birth process.
   
• Will agree to a transport of transfer of care, if necessary, after all aspects of the situation are considered and discussed.
   
• Will respect the scheduling difficulties of a midwife’s professional and personal life.
   
• Will try not to put unnecessary demands on the midwife’s time and energy by requesting services that fall outside of the midwife’s “Normal Care” and scope of practice.