Many women are not aware that they have the right to make their own decisions about caregivers, place of birth, medical procedures, treatments, drugs, or diagnostic tests for themselves and their babies. Childbearing women are encouraged to become informed about their legal rights to make the choices that best meet their needs.

• Consumer Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
  President's Advisory Commission on Consumer and Quality in the Health Care Industry
  www.hcqualitycommission.gov/final/append_a.html


• Center for Health Care Rights
  www.healthcarerights.org


• Enforcing and Promoting the Rights of Women Seeking Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC): A Primer [pdf]
  ICAN
  www.ican-online.org/resources/white_papers/wp_legalprimer.pdf


• Learning Center
  National Association of Childbearing Centers
  www.birthcenters.org/learningcenter


• "Patient Rights at Your Fingertips" and www.patient-rights.org
  Boston University School of Public Health, Health Law Department
  www.patient-rights.org


• Your Rights as a Hospital Patient in New York State
  New York State Department of Health
  www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/hospital/english.htm


• Your Right to Refuse: What to Do if Your Hospital Has "Banned" VBAC
  ICAN
  www.ican-online.org/resources/white_papers/wp_vbacbanqa.pdf


• Your Right To Your Hospital/Medical Records
  National Women's Health Alliance, NY
  www.nwhalliance.org/YOURRIGHTTOYOURRECORDS.htm