Maternal Patient Rights of Women

(Pregnancy, Childbirth and Breastfeeding)

As a patient at Saint Joseph Hospital – Elgin, you are entitled to certain rights. In general, regarding pregnancy and childbirth, every woman has the right to:

• Receive healthcare before, during and after pregnancy and childbirth
• Receive care for her and her infant that is consistent with generally accepted medical standards
• Choose a certified nurse midwife or physician as her maternity care professional
• Leave her maternity care professional and select another if she becomes dissatisfied with her care
• Receive information about the names of those health care professionals involved in her care
• Privacy and confidentiality of records
• Receive information concerning her condition and proposed treatment
• Accept or refuse any treatment
• Be informed if her caregivers wish to enroll her or her infant in a research study
• Access her medical records
• Receive information in a language in which she can communicate
• Receive emotional and physical support during labor and birth
• Freedom of movement during labor and to give birth in the position of her choice
• Contact with her newborn
• Receive information about breastfeeding
• Decide collaboratively with caregivers when she and her baby will leave the birth site for home
• Be always treated with respect before, during, and after pregnancy by her health care professionals

Examine and receive a reasonable explanation of her total bill for services

Frequently asked questions