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Informed Consent

Bodily autonomy and informed consent are key components to having an empowered birth experience. Let's start by defining what these terms mean.


Informed Consent: permission granted in the knowledge of the possible consequences, typically that which is given by a patient to a doctor for treatment with full knowledge of the possible risks and benefits.


Bodily Autonomy: the right to self-governance over one's own body without external influence or coercion. It is generally considered to be a fundamental human right.


Why are these things important in your birth? Because they are important at all times of your life. Why should these important and basic human rights suddenly disappear because you are pregnant? How can you make an informed decision about your care if you don't know all your options? How can you take ownership of your birth and choices if you don't know all the possibilities? Your provider is there to offer their opinion based on their years of experience, but ultimately you get the final say.


You -- and only you -- get to decide what happens to your body. If you don't want to be touched, then no one should touch you. If you don't want an internal exam, then no one has the right to invade your body. Your choices should be respected.


It is completely possible to have compassionate and empathetic care. Shared decision-making between a person and their provider is practiced by several physicians/midwives around the world and even here in Atlanta. This should be the standard of care, not the exception. Because ever human deserves it.

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We support clients who choose all options, including:

Medication Free Natural Birth, Vaginal birth with medication, Planned Cesarean Section, The Bradley MethodLamaze, Hypo-birth, VBAC, Induction, Twins, Hospital Birth, Homebirth, and High-Risk Birth.

 

Our Atlanta doulas serve Bartow, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Dawson, Douglas, Dekalb, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, and Paulding counties in the Atlanta, GA area.

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We attend births at the following locations: Atlanta Birth Center, Atlanta Medical Center, Cartersville Medical Center, Emory Decatur, Emory University Hospital Midtown, Emory John's Creek, Gwinnett Medical Center, Grady Memorial Hospital, Kennestone Hospital, Northeast Georgia Medical Center, North Fulton, Northside Hospital Atlanta, Northside Hospital Cherokee, Northside Hospital Duluth, Northside Hospital Forsyth, Piedmont Hosptial, Piedmont Newton Hospital, Piedmont Fayette Hospital 

 

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Please note that each doula works for herself and herself only, and is not an employee of Atlanta Birth Doula. We strive to retain only the best doulas on our website, but we are not responsible or liable for their work in any way. If you have a complaint against any of the doulas listed herein, please let us know so we can reevaluate our relationship.

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