Rights Related to Women, Pregnancy & Childbirth

In Queensland, the Women's Health Policy Unit, QLD Health 1993 states that;

"Women have the right to quality health care when they need it, the right to participate in decisions about their own health, and the right to privacy"

and...

"Informed consent is an important cornerstone of women's health. Women have the right to make their own choiced based on appropriate and readily understood information. This includes the right to refuse treatment and the right to determine who should be present when they are receiving health care"

It is your body, your child, your SOLE responsibility. You have the right to accept or decline medical prodecures, likewise you have the right to a pure, free pregnancy and birth without any outside interference.

Additionally the Australian Medical Association (AMA) commissioned an enquiry a few years ago called Foetal Welfare and The Law and in that it was concluded that under no circumstances did the law have the right to interfere with the rights and choices of a woman in relation to her body and unborn baby even where they felt those choices posed a danger to either.

"...When a competent, properly advised pregnant woman has clearly communicated her decision to decline a particular form of treatment, there are no circumstances in which the law should seek to override this decision. The principle that her wishes should be respected should prevail regardless of the degree of risk either to herself or the foetus..." References

Please let me know if you are aware of any other policies or statues regarding womens rights.

References to Foetal Welfare statement:Seymour, J. (Barrister and Solicitor of High Court of NZ and Supreme Court of ACT) “Foetal Welfare and the Law” a 249 page Australian report of an inquiry commissioned by Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the National Association of Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, The Australian College of Paediatrics and Medical Protection Association of Australia.