Relationship
For both women and birth partners the relationship with the obstetrician caring for the woman was pivotal in the decision to provide verbal consent. All believed the device would only be suggested for use if it were in the woman’s best interests and there was considerable trust evident between the woman, her partner and the obstetrician.
‘We quickly erm had a lot of faith in the professor, so when it was suggested, yeah I was concerned but the moment that he was willing to do it, I…I…I knew that she wouldn’t be in any danger.’ (Birth partner 1)
Midwives and obstetricians also believed the relationship was important in taking consent in this situation. One obstetrician described the differences between knowing the women and being a stranger entering the room to take consent.
‘I’ve been in that situation with attempting to recruit for this study already where I have come in, the lady has still been bleeding after oxytocin, and you are a stranger coming into the room, erm explaining about a study that she’s never heard of, and she’s afraid because she’s been told that she’s still bleeding despite the standard treatment, and erm understandably, the woman’s said ‘no’ in that erm situation.’ (Obstetrician 5)