Liability Waiver & Informed Consent Policy

Online Prenatal Support & 1:1 Breastfeeding Support Services

1. Scope of Services

Born to Birth Prenatal provides individualized support through:

Online prenatal support sessions (education and guidance during pregnancy), and
1:1 breastfeeding support services, provided either in hospital at Victoria General Hospital (Postpartum Unit) and/or in home following a home birth or after discharge from hospital.

All services are educational and supportive in nature. Breastfeeding support may include hands-on guidance related to feeding comfort, latch and positioning, milk transfer, early milk supply, and normal newborn feeding behaviours.

These services do not replace medical care. Clients remain under the care of their primary healthcare provider (midwife, physician, nurse practitioner, or pediatric provider) at all times.

2. Educational Purpose & No Emergency Care

All sessions are provided for educational and informational purposes only and are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

These services are not appropriate for emergencies. If you believe you or your baby are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.

3. Booking & Session Length

Online prenatal support sessions are stand-alone appointments and must be booked in advance through the Born to Birth Prenatal booking system.
1:1 breastfeeding support sessions must be booked in advance either online through the Born to Birth Prenatal website or by contacting Born to Birth Prenatal directly.

Session lengths:

Online prenatal support sessions are 45 minutes.
1:1 breastfeeding support sessions are one (1) hour in length.

Additional sessions may be recommended depending on individual needs and availability.

4. Nature of Care & Consent

Care is evidence-based, trauma-informed, respectful, and client-led. Sessions are paced according to comfort, recovery, and client preferences. Partners are encouraged to participate when appropriate.

Hands-on breastfeeding guidance (such as positioning or latch support) will occur only with explicit verbal consent and may be declined or stopped at any time. All care will be adapted to respect cultural, emotional, and personal boundaries.

All guidance provided is educational and supportive and does not constitute medical diagnosis or treatment.

5. Eligibility & Access (Breastfeeding Support)

In-hospital visits are subject to hospital access policies, staffing, and timing following birth.
In-home visits are available following home birth or hospital discharge within the designated service area.
Availability is not guaranteed and depends on scheduling and clinical circumstances.

6. Client Responsibilities

Clients agree to:

Inform Born to Birth Prenatal of any medical concerns, complications, or changes in health status
Continue routine follow-up with their healthcare provider
Seek immediate medical attention for urgent concerns, including but not limited to:
- Maternal:
  - Heavy Bleeding: Soaking a pad in an hour or passing large clots.
  - Fever: 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, possible infection.
  - Infection Signs: Redness, swelling, or discharge at an incision site or foul-smelling discharge.
  - Severe Maternal Pain: Intense belly or pelvic pain that doesn’t improve.
  - Breast Issues: Severe pain, swelling, redness, or flu-like symptoms (possible mastitis).
  - Mood Changes: Extreme mood swings, hopelessness, or thoughts of self-harm.
  - Persistent Headache: Severe headaches, especially with vision changes.
- Newborn:
  - Call 911 or Go To The Hospital If:
    - Has blood in vomit or stool
    - Experiences difficulty breathing
    - Bluish skin or lips
    - Has a seizure or becomes limp
    - Suffers from any form of poisoning
    - Experiences uncontrollable bleeding
    - Has a rectal temperature of > 38°C
    - Sleeps too much or is hard to wake for feeds
  - Call Your Doctor If:
    - Feeding refusal - signs of poor intake or failure to thrive
    - Excessive or concerning newborn weight loss
    - Has frequent diarrhea or vomiting
    - Cold symptoms that don’t improve
    - New or unusual rash
    - Infant lethargy or dehydration:
      - < 4 wet diapers in 24 hours
      - No tears when crying (older than 1 month old)
      - Sunken eyes or soft spot
    - Cries constantly and can’t be soothed

7. Confidentiality & Privacy

All sessions are confidential. Personal information is collected only for educational, booking, and service delivery purposes and will not be shared without consent, except as required by law.

8. Limitations of Liability

By booking and participating in online prenatal support or 1:1 breastfeeding support services, clients acknowledge and agree that:

They are responsible for seeking appropriate medical care when needed
Born to Birth Prenatal, its educators, and affiliates are not responsible for medical outcomes, complications, or decisions arising from the use of information provided
Born to Birth Prenatal is not responsible for outcomes related to feeding, milk supply, infant weight gain, maternal or infant health, healthcare decisions, hospital policies, access limitations, or pre-existing medical conditions

Clients acknowledge the inherent variability of pregnancy, birth, postpartum recovery, and breastfeeding, and agree that outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

9. Cancellations, Rescheduling & Refunds

Payment, cancellation, rescheduling, and refund terms are outlined at the time of booking and apply according to the specific service booked. Late cancellations or missed appointments may be subject to a fee or forfeiture of the session.

10. Acknowledgement & Consent

By booking any online prenatal support session or 1:1 breastfeeding support service, clients acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agreed to this Liability & Informed Consent Policy.