{"id":511,"date":"2026-10-06T11:53:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T10:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/informed-consent\/"},"modified":"2026-10-06T11:55:34","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T10:55:34","slug":"informed-consent","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/informed-consent\/","title":{"rendered":"Informed Consent"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide are-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><div class=\"wpcp-wp-lightbox-host wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon-hover\"><a class=\"wpcp-wp-lightbox-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/06\/pexels-rdne-stock-project-6849531-scaled.jpg\" data-wpcp-wp-lb-image=\"1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1707\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/06\/pexels-rdne-stock-project-6849531-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"pexels-rdne-stock-project-6849531\" class=\"wp-image-2038\" srcset=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/06\/pexels-rdne-stock-project-6849531-scaled.jpg 1707w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/06\/pexels-rdne-stock-project-6849531-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/06\/pexels-rdne-stock-project-6849531-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/06\/pexels-rdne-stock-project-6849531-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/06\/pexels-rdne-stock-project-6849531-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/06\/pexels-rdne-stock-project-6849531-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/06\/pexels-rdne-stock-project-6849531-760x1140.jpg 760w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1707px) 100vw, 1707px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/06\/pexels-rdne-stock-project-6849531-scaled.jpg\" data-fancybox=\"wpcp-wp-img-2038\" class=\"wpcp-lightbox-trigger wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon wpcp-position-top-right wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon-hover wpcp-global-lightbox-icon wpcp-lightbox-icon--global wpcp-lb-icon-style-default\" data-wpcp-lb-icon-source=\"global\" aria-label=\"Open image in lightbox\" data-thumb-src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/06\/pexels-rdne-stock-project-6849531-200x300.jpg\" data-wpcp-lb-single=\"1\"><span class=\"wpcp-icon-container\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\"><path d=\"M17.6585 16.025L14.2437 12.6198C15.1716 11.3338 15.6121 9.7613 15.4871 8.1819C15.362 6.60251 14.6795 5.11847 13.5607 3.99351C12.936 3.36206 12.1916 2.86066 11.3709 2.51845C10.5502 2.17623 9.66952 2 8.77995 2C7.89039 2 7.00969 2.17623 6.18899 2.51845C5.36829 2.86066 4.62395 3.36206 3.99919 3.99351C3.36594 4.61649 2.86312 5.35871 2.51992 6.17708C2.17673 6.99545 2 7.87365 2 8.76068C2 9.64772 2.17673 10.5259 2.51992 11.3443C2.86312 12.1627 3.36594 12.9049 3.99919 13.5279C5.11957 14.6901 6.62279 15.4103 8.23285 15.5562C9.84291 15.7022 11.4517 15.2641 12.7639 14.3224L16.1788 17.7275C16.3849 17.9034 16.6473 18 16.9186 18C17.1899 18 17.4523 17.9034 17.6585 17.7275C18.1138 17.16 18.1138 16.5925 17.6585 16.025ZM5.59278 12.0523C5.16258 11.6298 4.82094 11.1263 4.58774 10.5709C4.35455 10.0156 4.23446 9.41951 4.23446 8.81744C4.23446 8.21536 4.35455 7.6193 4.58774 7.06394C4.82094 6.50859 5.16258 6.00503 5.59278 5.58257C6.01644 5.15359 6.52144 4.81292 7.07838 4.58039C7.63532 4.34786 8.23308 4.22811 8.83687 4.22811C9.44066 4.22811 10.0384 4.34786 10.5954 4.58039C11.1523 4.81292 11.6573 5.15359 12.081 5.58257C12.5112 6.00503 12.8528 6.50859 13.086 7.06394C13.3192 7.6193 13.4393 8.21536 13.4393 8.81744C13.4393 9.41951 13.3192 10.0156 13.086 10.5709C12.8528 11.1263 12.5112 11.6298 12.081 12.0523C11.6573 12.4813 11.1523 12.822 10.5954 13.0545C10.0384 13.287 9.44066 13.4068 8.83687 13.4068C8.23308 13.4068 7.63532 13.287 7.07838 13.0545C6.52144 12.822 6.01644 12.4813 5.59278 12.0523Z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"no-decision-about-me-without-me\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">&#8220;No decision about me, without me&#8221;<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-947b31d0\">\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-88acaaa2\"><\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><div class=\"wpcp-wp-lightbox-host wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon-hover\"><a class=\"wpcp-wp-lightbox-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/06\/Indian-or-Pakistani-Mum-scaled.jpg\" data-wpcp-wp-lb-image=\"1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/06\/Indian-or-Pakistani-Mum-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"indian-or-pakistani-mum\" class=\"wp-image-2092\" srcset=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/06\/Indian-or-Pakistani-Mum-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/06\/Indian-or-Pakistani-Mum-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/06\/Indian-or-Pakistani-Mum-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/06\/Indian-or-Pakistani-Mum-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/06\/Indian-or-Pakistani-Mum-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/06\/Indian-or-Pakistani-Mum-760x1140.jpg 760w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/06\/Indian-or-Pakistani-Mum-scaled.jpg 1706w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/06\/Indian-or-Pakistani-Mum-scaled.jpg\" data-fancybox=\"wpcp-wp-img-2092\" class=\"wpcp-lightbox-trigger wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon wpcp-position-top-right wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon-hover wpcp-global-lightbox-icon wpcp-lightbox-icon--global wpcp-lb-icon-style-default\" data-wpcp-lb-icon-source=\"global\" aria-label=\"Open image in lightbox\" data-thumb-src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/06\/Indian-or-Pakistani-Mum-200x300.jpg\" data-wpcp-lb-single=\"1\"><span class=\"wpcp-icon-container\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\"><path d=\"M17.6585 16.025L14.2437 12.6198C15.1716 11.3338 15.6121 9.7613 15.4871 8.1819C15.362 6.60251 14.6795 5.11847 13.5607 3.99351C12.936 3.36206 12.1916 2.86066 11.3709 2.51845C10.5502 2.17623 9.66952 2 8.77995 2C7.89039 2 7.00969 2.17623 6.18899 2.51845C5.36829 2.86066 4.62395 3.36206 3.99919 3.99351C3.36594 4.61649 2.86312 5.35871 2.51992 6.17708C2.17673 6.99545 2 7.87365 2 8.76068C2 9.64772 2.17673 10.5259 2.51992 11.3443C2.86312 12.1627 3.36594 12.9049 3.99919 13.5279C5.11957 14.6901 6.62279 15.4103 8.23285 15.5562C9.84291 15.7022 11.4517 15.2641 12.7639 14.3224L16.1788 17.7275C16.3849 17.9034 16.6473 18 16.9186 18C17.1899 18 17.4523 17.9034 17.6585 17.7275C18.1138 17.16 18.1138 16.5925 17.6585 16.025ZM5.59278 12.0523C5.16258 11.6298 4.82094 11.1263 4.58774 10.5709C4.35455 10.0156 4.23446 9.41951 4.23446 8.81744C4.23446 8.21536 4.35455 7.6193 4.58774 7.06394C4.82094 6.50859 5.16258 6.00503 5.59278 5.58257C6.01644 5.15359 6.52144 4.81292 7.07838 4.58039C7.63532 4.34786 8.23308 4.22811 8.83687 4.22811C9.44066 4.22811 10.0384 4.34786 10.5954 4.58039C11.1523 4.81292 11.6573 5.15359 12.081 5.58257C12.5112 6.00503 12.8528 6.50859 13.086 7.06394C13.3192 7.6193 13.4393 8.21536 13.4393 8.81744C13.4393 9.41951 13.3192 10.0156 13.086 10.5709C12.8528 11.1263 12.5112 11.6298 12.081 12.0523C11.6573 12.4813 11.1523 12.822 10.5954 13.0545C10.0384 13.287 9.44066 13.4068 8.83687 13.4068C8.23308 13.4068 7.63532 13.287 7.07838 13.0545C6.52144 12.822 6.01644 12.4813 5.59278 12.0523Z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/figure>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center supplementary is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before a doctor, nurse or any other health professional can examine or treat you, they must have your agreement, or consent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You must be given enough information so that you can understand what is involved and can think clearly about the advantages and disadvantages of different treatments or procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depending on the clinical situation, there might be alternatives that can be offered to you and you might have the option of doing nothing for a while before looking at your options again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You should be allowed to make up your mind without pressure from other people and, if it is not an emergency, be given enough time to think things over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For more information on your rights as a patient, please go to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/YourRights\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/YourRights<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.birthrights.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.birthrights.org.uk\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.birthrights.org.uk\/factsheets\/your-basic-birth-rights-translated\/\">Your basic birth rights &#8211; translated &#8211; Birthrights<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To support discussions about your options and choices, your midwife will give you this sticker at your first appointment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><div class=\"wpcp-wp-lightbox-host wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon-hover\"><a class=\"wpcp-wp-lightbox-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2022\/09\/brain.jpg\" data-wpcp-wp-lb-image=\"1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"590\" height=\"393\" src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2022\/09\/brain.jpg\" alt=\"b.r.a.i.n. infographic\" class=\"wp-image-976\" srcset=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2022\/09\/brain.jpg 590w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2022\/09\/brain-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2022\/09\/brain.jpg\" data-fancybox=\"wpcp-wp-img-976\" class=\"wpcp-lightbox-trigger wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon wpcp-position-top-right wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon-hover wpcp-global-lightbox-icon wpcp-lightbox-icon--global wpcp-lb-icon-style-default\" data-wpcp-lb-icon-source=\"global\" aria-label=\"Open image in lightbox\" data-thumb-src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2022\/09\/brain-300x200.jpg\" data-wpcp-lb-single=\"1\"><span class=\"wpcp-icon-container\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\"><path d=\"M17.6585 16.025L14.2437 12.6198C15.1716 11.3338 15.6121 9.7613 15.4871 8.1819C15.362 6.60251 14.6795 5.11847 13.5607 3.99351C12.936 3.36206 12.1916 2.86066 11.3709 2.51845C10.5502 2.17623 9.66952 2 8.77995 2C7.89039 2 7.00969 2.17623 6.18899 2.51845C5.36829 2.86066 4.62395 3.36206 3.99919 3.99351C3.36594 4.61649 2.86312 5.35871 2.51992 6.17708C2.17673 6.99545 2 7.87365 2 8.76068C2 9.64772 2.17673 10.5259 2.51992 11.3443C2.86312 12.1627 3.36594 12.9049 3.99919 13.5279C5.11957 14.6901 6.62279 15.4103 8.23285 15.5562C9.84291 15.7022 11.4517 15.2641 12.7639 14.3224L16.1788 17.7275C16.3849 17.9034 16.6473 18 16.9186 18C17.1899 18 17.4523 17.9034 17.6585 17.7275C18.1138 17.16 18.1138 16.5925 17.6585 16.025ZM5.59278 12.0523C5.16258 11.6298 4.82094 11.1263 4.58774 10.5709C4.35455 10.0156 4.23446 9.41951 4.23446 8.81744C4.23446 8.21536 4.35455 7.6193 4.58774 7.06394C4.82094 6.50859 5.16258 6.00503 5.59278 5.58257C6.01644 5.15359 6.52144 4.81292 7.07838 4.58039C7.63532 4.34786 8.23308 4.22811 8.83687 4.22811C9.44066 4.22811 10.0384 4.34786 10.5954 4.58039C11.1523 4.81292 11.6573 5.15359 12.081 5.58257C12.5112 6.00503 12.8528 6.50859 13.086 7.06394C13.3192 7.6193 13.4393 8.21536 13.4393 8.81744C13.4393 9.41951 13.3192 10.0156 13.086 10.5709C12.8528 11.1263 12.5112 11.6298 12.081 12.0523C11.6573 12.4813 11.1523 12.822 10.5954 13.0545C10.0384 13.287 9.44066 13.4068 8.83687 13.4068C8.23308 13.4068 7.63532 13.287 7.07838 13.0545C6.52144 12.822 6.01644 12.4813 5.59278 12.0523Z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can ask these questions in any situation and to any health professional you meet during your maternity care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This BRAIN sticker is available in 15 languages: Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Cantonese, Hindi, Hungarian, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Turkish and Urdu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please ask your midwife for the BRAIN sticker in your language, they will be happy to print one for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/brain-translations\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">BRAIN Translations \u2013 Maternity Services (nhslothian.scot)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-nhsl-document-list\" data-folderid=\"8\" data-title=\"BRAIN Translations\" data-sort=\"1\">Loading &#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do you want to know more about your rights to make decisions about your healthcare and treatment? You will find all the information you need in this booklet <strong>Consent- it\u2019s your decision. <\/strong>Also available in different formats and languages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-nhsl-document-list\" data-folderid=\"9\" data-title=\"Consent Booklet\" data-sort=\"1\">Loading &#8230;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&ldquo;No decision about me, without me&rdquo; Before a doctor, nurse or any other health professional can examine or treat you, they must have your agreement, or consent. You must be given enough information so that you can understand what is involved and can think clearly about the advantages and disadvantages of different treatments or procedures.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":18,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/widewidth.php","meta":{"_gspb_post_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-511","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"NHS Lothian","author_link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/author\/nhs-lothian\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":false,"rttpg_excerpt":"&ldquo;No decision about me, without me&rdquo; Before a doctor, nurse or any other health professional can examine or treat you, they must have your agreement, or consent. You must be given enough information so that you can understand what is involved and can think clearly about the advantages and disadvantages of different treatments or procedures.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/511","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=511"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/511\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6638,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/511\/revisions\/6638"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=511"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=511"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}