Overview
The Respectful Maternity and Newborn Care Framework is a practical tool that supports clinicians and consumers to work in genuine partnership – especially when a woman makes an informed decision about her care pathway that differs from clinical recommendations. It provides case studies, flowcharts, and tools to guide informed decision-making, ensuring that a woman’s autonomy, dignity, and cultural needs are respected throughout her maternity journey.
This framework supports health services at all levels of capability and across all specialties, ensuring that a culture of respect is embedded in every individual’s practice and in every facet of clinical governance. It serves as a guide to help cultivate an environment where respectful maternity and newborn care is not only a priority but a fundamental part of how we operate.
Respectful maternity and newborn care framework
Appendices
Values-Based Maternity Care Plan
This plan helps you think about what matters most to you during your pregnancy, birth, and the weeks after. Bring it to every appointment so your healthcare team can understand and support what’s important to you. You can fill this in on your own, with your support person, or together with your midwife or doctor.
