Date of Award

Spring 2026

Degree Type

Thesis

Department

Public Health

Director of Thesis

Edena Guimaraes

Second Reader

Myriam Torres

Abstract

Background:

Informed consent is both a legal requirement and an ethical cornerstone of healthcare, ensuring that patients understand and voluntarily agree to medical treatments. However, evidence suggests that the informed consent process is often inadequately implemented in maternal healthcare settings, particularly during childbirth. While giving birth, women retain full decision-making capacity but are not consistently provided with sufficient information or support to exercise this right. Contributing factors include ineffective patient–provider communication, limited health literacy, and insufficient access to culturally responsive educational resources.

Methods:

This study aimed to address gaps in accessible prenatal education by developing an online resource platform, Know Your Birth, designed for pregnant individuals in the United States aged 18 years or older. The platform delivered clear, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based information regarding prenatal care, common medical interventions, and patient rights during childbirth. Two cross-sectional surveys were administered to evaluate user engagement and perceived effectiveness of the platform in improving knowledge and awareness.

Results:

Survey results demonstrated that participants reported increased understanding of routine prenatal visits, common obstetric procedures, and their legal rights during labor and delivery, including the right to provide or refuse informed consent. Users also indicated that the platform was accessible, easy to navigate, and helpful in preparing them for discussions with healthcare providers.

Conclusion:

The findings suggest that accessible digital educational interventions may improve comprehension of informed consent and patient rights among reproductive-age populations. Digital tools such as Know Your Birth may serve as scalable strategies to promote patient autonomy and health literacy in maternal healthcare. Future research should assess whether such interventions influence clinical decision-making behaviors and maternal health outcomes.

First Page

1

Last Page

35

Rights

© 2026, Ella A. Forrester

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