Summary
This paper provides advice for clinicians in obtaining consent of a woman undergoing caesarean section in the specific circumstance of current pregnancy with placenta praevia with or without previous caesarean section. It is designed to be used in conjunction with RCOG Consent Advice No. 7: Caesarean Section.
The information should, where possible, be provided during the antenatal period in the form of an information sheet to allow the woman to understand the situation and provide ample opportunities for her to ask any questions she may have and to antenatally meet providers of additional services that may become necessary, such as interventional radiologists.
Depending on local clinical governance arrangements, an additional consent form may be used with the additional risks highlighted, or the additional risks may be incorporated in a specific consent form for the whole procedure.
Please note
Although this document was produced before the Montgomery ruling, it remains appropriate for use as part of the process outlined on our main consent page. The form should be used to help record women’s understanding of the implications of the final agreed procedure.
COVID disclaimer
This Consent Advice was developed prior to the emergence of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Version history
This is the first edition of this guidance.
Please note that the Patient Safety Committee regularly assesses the need to update. Further information on this review is available on request.
Developer declaration of interests
Available on request.