Table 2 Health care workers’ purpose of informed consent and what should be discussed
From: Health workers’ perspectives on informed consent for caesarean section in Southern Malawi
Purposes of informed consent (from frequent to less frequent) | Legal protection of health care worker Patient education, which: Reduces complications postoperatively Prepares psychologically and reduces anxiety Benefits subsequent pregnancies Respecting autonomy Respecting human/patient rights Improving woman—health care worker relationship |
Topics to discuss (from frequent to less frequent) | Reason for caesarean section Complications of caesarean section Infection Haemorrhage/haemorrhagic shock Extended recovery time Injury bladder/ureter/bowel Maternal death Leaving instruments in abdomen Hysterectomy Feeling pain during surgery Procedure Use of anaesthetics Use of blood products Limited number of children due to a maximum of three CS Need to give birth in hospital in subsequent pregnancies |