Access to the right information is essential to help you make healthcare decisions during pregnancy. You can stay informed by talking with your doctor and connecting with supportive organizations.
Informed consent is the process in which a doctor (or any other healthcare professional) educates their patient about the potential benefits, risks, and other important information related to a specific treatment or intervention.
Using this information, you can then make decisions about your medical care, such as whether to agree to a certain approach to treatment.
Although informed consent is one of the most important elements of medical care, research from several countries has
Studies have shown a huge inconsistency between what people want to know about their pregnancies — such as what tests to take or the potential complications of childbirth — and how much information healthcare professionals are sharing.
This article discusses the importance of
So, what exactly does informed consent look like during pregnancy? According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, proper informed consent during your pregnancy has three important aspects:
Understanding
Your doctor is responsible for taking the time to ensure that they understand your situation, including any possibilities that may be unique to you during your pregnancy. They also have a responsibility to speak with you in a way that ensures you can also understand your situation.
Knowledge
Your doctor has a responsibility to educate you on any diagnosis you receive, including the outlook for that diagnosis. You have a right to know about any treatment options for your condition, including alternative treatment options or no treatment at all if that’s what you choose.
Choice
You have freedom of choice during your pregnancy — and you must be able to give your free, intentional, and voluntary consent.
You should never be coerced or pressured into treatments or interventions that you don’t want, and your doctor should never move ahead with any medical choices without your consent (unless you are physically or mentally unable to give it).
Routine testing during pregnancy is an important part of keeping you and your baby healthy. It’s also a crucial way to keep yourself informed about anything you may need to be aware of, both during pregnancy and after your baby is born.
Below are some of the most common tests healthcare professionals recommend during early and late pregnancy.
Early pregnancy
Early in your pregnancy, your doctor will recommend a handful of tests that help provide a bigger picture of your health and the health of your baby.
One of the most important reasons for doing routine testing during early pregnancy is so that you can identify or even rule out any potential complications that may arise.
Blood testing
A complete blood count (CBC) checks your levels of red and white blood cells, proteins, and platelets. It can help your doctor find out whether you have anemia, infections, or other conditions.
A blood type test allows your doctor to determine your blood type and Rh factor. This is important to make sure that your baby doesn’t experience any complications during pregnancy due to Rh incompatibilities.
Urine testing
A urinalysis can help your doctor find out whether you have any infections of the urinary tract or other conditions, such as preeclampsia. Preeclampsia involves newly high blood pressure and at least one related symptom. Without treatment, it can be a serious pregnancy complication.
A urine culture can test for specific infections of your bladder and kidneys, which can potentially cause pregnancy complications if left untreated.
Infectious disease testing
Bacterial and viral infections can spread to your baby during pregnancy, during delivery, or after your baby is born, according to the
That’s why it’s important to get tested — and treated, if necessary — for any infections you might have that could affect your baby.
Healthcare professionals commonly test for infectious diseases such as:
- rubella (also called German measles), which may lead to developmental irregularities in a baby
- hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus, both of which can lead to complications such as liver disease or liver cancer later in life
- HIV, which reduces the immune system’s ability to fight infections and can progress to stage 3 HIV (also known as AIDS) if left untreated
- sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and genital herpes, which can lead to health concerns during and after delivery
- tuberculosis, a lung infection that can seriously damage your lungs if left untreated
A healthcare professional may also test for any of the following conditions if you have signs or symptoms:
Genetic testing
If you have a family history of genetic conditions, your doctor may recommend genetic counseling.
You’ll meet with a genetic counselor to review your medical and family history. Your genetic counselor can help you make an informed decision about any genetic testing you might want to do.
They can also help you interpret those results so that you can make informed decisions about your pregnancy and your baby’s future.
Late pregnancy
As your pregnancy progresses, especially into the third trimester, your doctor may want to repeat some of the tests you’ve already had done, such as the CBC. They might also recommend additional testing to make sure that you and your baby stay healthy as your delivery date approaches.
Here are some of the most common tests you may want to ask about during the third trimester.
Glucose screening
A glucose challenge test is an especially important test later in your pregnancy because it can help check for gestational diabetes. For this test, you’ll drink a glucose (sugar) solution and have your blood sugar levels checked after an hour.
If your blood sugar levels are too high, your doctor will recommend a glucose tolerance test, which is a longer version of a glucose challenge. A healthcare professional will check your blood sugar levels over multiple hours to see whether you have gestational diabetes.
Group B streptococcus (GBS) testing
A GBS test is generally performed sometime between 35 and 37 weeks of pregnancy to check for this strain of bacteria, which is commonly found in the rectum and vagina.
Exposure to GBS during delivery can cause complications for your baby, so it’s important to get tested for this infection and to get treatment if necessary.
Questions for your healthcare professional
Whether you’ve been planning a pregnancy, have recently found out you’re pregnant, or are just searching for someone new, here are a few important questions to ask when looking for a doctor:
- Do you take my health insurance? Between routine blood work, prenatal visits, hospital delivery, and postnatal checkups, pregnancy care can be expensive (even with insurance!). One of the most important questions to ask any potential doctor is whether they take your insurance, what services are covered, and at what cost.
- How will we collaborate on my informed care? Informed pregnancy care is still a work in progress, but that doesn’t mean you should go without it. Any good doctor will understand the importance of informed care and work with you to make sure you’re making the best decisions for yourself and your baby.
- What services will I be offered during my pregnancy? Many people already have a vision of what they want for their pregnancy — from prenatal care to the delivery of their baby and the support they’ll need afterward. It’s important to make sure that you and your future doctor are on the same page about these needs.
According to a
Although this risk can affect pregnant people of all races and ethnicities, most pregnancy-related deaths happen to Black women and other women of color. A
Barriers to access to prenatal and postnatal care are among the biggest reasons that Black women are disproportionately at risk of pregnancy-related complications. These obstacles can include:
- Financial barriers: Financial barriers can prevent Black women from accessing affordable pregnancy care, stable housing, or reliable transportation
- Social barriers: Social barriers can make it hard for Black women to receive adequate support from their family, their friends, or even healthcare professionals.
- Healthcare barriers: Healthcare barriers can make it difficult for Black women to access healthcare education, timely care, and healthcare professionals who can understand their specific needs.
Pregnancy resources for Black women
If you’re interested in checking out some of the pregnancy resources available for Black women, here are a few to get you started:
- Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA): BMMA works to advance Black maternal health through research, policy changes, and advanced care for Black pregnant people. BMMA offers virtual events, literature, and other resources, including Black Maternal Health Week.
- Pampers Maternal Health resources: In partnership with Pampers, pediatric specialist Dr. Terri Major-Kincade created resources to support Black mothers during pregnancy and to help healthcare professionals provide better care.
- Postpartum Support International (PSI): This organization is dedicated to postpartum mental health and offers a variety of support groups, including a Black Moms Connect group. PSI also offers a peer mentorship program and weekly chats with mental health professionals and other new parents.
Other women of color can also be disproportionately affected by pregnancy complications, with statistics from 2019 showing that American Indian and Alaska Native women are
According to a
Pregnancy resources for people of color
If you’re looking for pregnancy resources for people of color, consider checking these out:
- Perinatal Services BC: Perinatal Services BC offers resources geared toward helping Indigenous pregnant people living in British Columbia, including the helpful guide “Honouring Indigenous Women’s and Families’ Pregnancy Journeys.”
- Nacersano by March of Dimes: Nacersano is a resource that helps provide pregnancy-related information for Spanish-speaking pregnant people and their families. It’s part of March of Dimes, a nonprofit organization that supports the health of mothers and babies through education, advocacy, and research.
- Postpartum Support International (PSI): PSI offers support groups for many needs and populations, including the Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi Moms Support Group. The organization also has a peer mentorship program, weekly chats, and a directory to search for healthcare professionals of color.
Informed care is important for every person, no matter their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.
Yet LGBTQIA+ people often face
For example, a
About 5 million children in the United States are being raised by LGBTQ parents, and it’s important for LGBTQIA+ people to have access to informed care when choosing to grow their families.
This includes cisgender women who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as
Pregnancy resources for LGBTQIA+ communities
If you’re searching for informed pregnancy resources suitable for LGBTQIA+ experiences, here are some good places to start:
- Family Equality: Family Equality is a nonprofit organization that strives to advance the lives of LGBTQ+ families through education, community building, and policy change. You can find the organization’s resources for prospective parents here.
- Postpartum Support International (PSI): PSI provides postpartum mental health support to parents worldwide. The organization offers a Queer and Trans Parent Support Group, as well as other resources for queer and trans parents, including a search tool to help you find a mental health professional who fits your needs.
- Rainbow Families: This Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit offers many online resources that are available to LGBTQ+ families and prospective parents across the United States, including support groups and classes.
Pregnancy is a time of overwhelming change. Even with the most informed pregnancy care, you might sometimes wonder what’s “normal” and what’s not.
While most of the small (and big) changes you’ll experience during and after pregnancy are healthy and expected, symptoms such as the following
- persistent or worsening headache
- severe fatigue
- vision changes
- dizziness
- fainting
- chest pain
- heart palpitations or increased heart rate
- difficulty breathing
- severe nausea or stomach pain
- persistent vomiting
- swelling of your face or hands
- swelling, pain, and redness or other discoloration in your arm or leg
- a slowing or stopping of your baby’s movements during pregnancy
- vaginal bleeding during or after pregnancy
- fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or above
- thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
If you experience any of these symptoms (or anything else that feels “off”) during or after your pregnancy, contact a doctor as soon as possible to get checked out. It may turn out to be nothing serious. But if something is wrong, a checkup could save your or your baby’s life.
While growing your family can be a beautiful experience, it can also feel daunting at times, both for you and for your loved ones.
But even if pregnancy feels overwhelming, it should not be confusing or scary. That’s why informed care is so important.
With the right information at your fingertips, you can make the best decisions for you and your baby at every stage of your pregnancy and beyond.