The Medico-Legal Society of Victoria

Current obstetric information guidelines and childbirth education models deny women true birth choice. Failure of duty to warn in obstetric negligence case law has focussed to warn of the risks of obstetric interventions. There is no case law on failure of duty to warn of the risks of vaginal birth. The health system is complicit in denying full disclosure of birth risks. Pregnant women are no longer a homogenous group for which vaginal birth is always appropriate. IVF and other forms of assisted reproductive technology have changed the demographics of the pregnant population. Internet and social media have increased the health awareness of women but often present a biased source of information. Is it time the medical and midwifery approach to antenatal education and information provision reflected these changing conditions to allow women to make a more informed birth choice for themselves?

Dr Moore has practiced obstetrics and gynaecology for more than 20 years. During her obstetric training she commenced a Bachelor of Laws at University of Melbourne, which she completed soon after being awarded her Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG). Since 2001 she has worked in the private health system, practising general obstetrics and gynaecology. She is also a visiting Consultant Gynaecologist at the Royal Women’s Hospital. She has served on the National Council of RANZCOG from 2011-2015 and been on several committees for RANZCOG and the AMA. In July 2017 she completed a Master of Laws at University of Melbourne.