King's College London

Informed consent is a fundamental tenet of good maternity care. Law, policy and guidance are clear about the standard midwives should meet with regards to this. Yet what are the philosophical and ethical underpinnings of this standard and how do they relate to everyday midwifery practice? Using examples from my own qualitative research on freebirth, I introduce some very basic philosophical concepts that explore offers, threats, manipulation and force. The aim of this article is to prompt discussion and help practising midwives feel confident that their interactions with pregnant women and people meet relevant legal and ethical standards.