Informed Consent in Obstetric Anesthesia

Informed written consent is a basic and fundamental human right that cannot be compromised in laboring women. It is not only a complex but also controversial topic that is still being explored worldwide. Consenting laboring women is challenging and problematic. This is due to the variable degree of pain, hemodynamic stability, and use of narcotics in pain relief. Consent includes the right to receive complete information regarding the benefits, side effects, and risks for the desired procedure for analgesia or anesthesia in a language they best understand to make an informed decision that best suits the parturient and the baby. Anesthesiologists are legally responsible for obtaining consent from parturients before performing any anesthesia- or analgesia-related procedure unless an emergency obtaining an informed consent.