While the pregnant woman has the right to exclude all third parties from
consultation about her medical care, most women want to involve other persons
in their decisions. The birth plan should include the names of any persons the
patient designates to receive information about her pregnancy. The patient may
also want to sign a durable power of attorney to delegate the right to consent
to care to a third party if she becomes medically incompetent to consent to her
own care. If the patient wants her husband or other person in the delivery
room, this should be stated in the birth plan. The plan should discuss any
restrictions on the presence of this third person (special training, a hospital
orientation tour, etc.) and under what circumstances the person will be
excluded. It is recommended that the husband or other person mentioned in the
plan also be requested to read and sign the relevant portions of the plan.
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