Maternal Health Bill of Rights

I understand that every birthing person has the right to…

Each right outlined in the Harris County Maternal Health Bill of Rights (MHBoR) is classified under the corresponding categories below. Simply click on a category to view the associated rights listed within.

General
  • Full and clear information about the benefits, risks, and costs, of any procedure, drug, test, or treatment.
  • Understand other options, including what will happen if you don’t choose any of the provided options.
  • Have all your questions answered before you make a decision about your healthcare.
  • Instruction that minimal use of non-essential pre-operative medication is beneficial, in cases of cesarean delivery.
  • Receive information in a language in which you can communicate.
  • An interpreter if you do not speak English.
  • Receive full advance information about risks and benefits of reasonably available methods for relieving pain during labor and birth, including methods that do not require the use of drugs.
    • You have the right to choose which methods will be used and to change your mind at any time.
  • Caregivers skilled in normal childbearing and caregivers skilled in complications are needed to ensure quality care for all.
  • Receive complete information about the benefits and risks of breastfeeding well in advance of labor.
  • Receive a Breastfeeding Bill of Rights.
  • Receive the care you deserve, and leave if you are not receiving good care.
    • It can be as simple as saying, “I would like to leave AMA” and signing paperwork stating that you understand the risks and you may need to be interviewed by an ethicist or psychiatrist.
  • Know about and refuse any drugs that may dry up your milk.
  • As an employee in Federal, State, and local government OR a private company with 50 or more employees, to be provided a reasonable break time and place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view to express breast milk while at work, as written under Texas Government Code, Chapter 619 and the Fair Labor Standards Act.
    • Private employers with fewer than 50 employees are excused from this requirement
    • Your employer must provide a place that is not a multiple-user bathroom where you can express breast milk in private. Your employer may not discriminate against you based on your decision to express breast milk at work.
  • Receive information, counseling and support services for you and your family if you experience a miscarriage, stillbirth, or loss of an infant.
  • Maternal healthcare facilities ensuring that you understand your rights as a birthing person and family.
Prenatal Care and Family Planning
  • Full and clear information about the benefits, risks, and costs, of any procedure, drug, test, or treatment.
  • Understand other options, including what will happen if you don’t choose any of the provided options.
  • Have all your questions answered before you make a decision about your healthcare.
  • Not be threatened into choosing certain options.
  • Information about the potential effects of administered drugs or procedures to your and/or your unborn child.
  • Instruction that minimal use of non-essential pre-operative medication is beneficial, in cases of cesarean delivery.
  • Decide whether or not to get an epidural.
  • Accept or refuse procedures, drugs, tests, and treatments, and have your choices honored.
  • Change your mind.
  • Select your preferred procedure without pressure.
  • Choose your birth setting from the full range of safe options available in your community (such as a hospital, birth center, or home) based on complete, objective information about benefits, risks, and costs of these options.
  • Receive maternity care that is appropriate to your cultural and religious background.
  • Receive information in a language in which you can communicate.
  • An interpreter if you do not speak English.
  • Disability accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
    Make health care choices, such as which medical procedures you will and will not allow to be performed on you, based on your values, religion, and beliefs.
  • Fair treatment regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, HIV status, immigration status, income level or form of insurance.
  • Information on how to file a formal complaint about concerns related to the care you have received.
  • Have the healthcare provider or institution respond to your concerns in a timely fashion.
    • This also includes the right to be provided with clear alternatives for switching to another provider within 24-72 hours.
  • Your choices about your family respected, such as whether you have a spouse or partner, what your spouse’s or partner’s gender is, how many children you have, or if you have chosen to place a baby for adoption.
  • Courteous staff who introduce themselves when they enter the room.
    • If you have a negative experience or do not feel comfortable with a staff member for any reason (e.g., behavior, skill or experience level, etc.) you can ask for and receive a different staff member.
  • Ask for and use the name and gender pronouns you prefer.
  • Support during your labor and birth – from a family member, partner, and/or birth support worker such as a doula (a trained professional who provides information and support before, during, and shortly after childbirth).
  • Choose who you want present during your exams, delivery, and other procedures, and have this decision respected.
  • Decide who you do not want in the room, including staff members, during exams and procedures, and have this decision respected.
  • Receive full advance information about risks and benefits of reasonably available methods for relieving pain during labor and birth, including methods that do not require the use of drugs.
    • You have the right to choose which methods will be used and to change your mind at any time.
  • Providers who are trained and skilled in current best practices for care during pregnancy and childbirth.
  • Choose a midwife, doula, or a physician as your maternity care provider.
  • Caregivers skilled in normal childbearing and caregivers skilled in complications are needed to ensure quality care for all.
  • Receive all or most of your maternity care from a single caregiver or a small group of caregivers with whom you can establish a relationship.
  • Leave your maternity caregiver and select another if you become dissatisfied with your care.
  • Information about the professional identity and qualifications of those involved in your care, and to know when those involved are trainees.
  • Communicate with caregivers and receive all care in privacy, which may involve excluding non-essential personnel.
  • Have all personal information treated according to standards of confidentiality.
  • Be informed if your caregivers wish to enroll you or your infant in a research study.
  • Unrestricted access to all available records about your pregnancy, labor, birth, postpartum course, and infant; to obtain a full copy of these records; and to receive help in understanding them, if necessary.
  • Receive continuous social, emotional, and physical support during labor and birth from a caregiver who has been trained in labor and support.
  • Freedom of movement during labor, including walking the floor or choosing different birthing positions.
  • Receive complete information about the benefits and risks of breastfeeding well in advance of labor.
  • Refuse supplemental formula bottles and other actions that interfere with breastfeeding.
  • Decide collaboratively with caregivers when you and your baby will leave the birth site for home, based on your conditions and circumstances.
  • Reach your prenatal provider during your pregnancy if you have concerns that cannot wait until your next scheduled visit.
  • Receive the care you deserve and leave if you are not receiving good care.
    • It can be as simple as saying, “I would like to leave AMA” and signing paperwork stating that you understand the risks and you may need to be interviewed by an ethicist or psychiatrist.
  • Information on the policies and practices of the place where you choose to give birth.
  • Resources to prepare for childbirth and feeding your baby, such as childbirth education classes and nursing counselors.
  • Hold your baby immediately after birth (also known as skin-to-skin), even if you have had a c-section.
  • Timely attention to your needs, including taking your pain level seriously, for your entire stay at a hospital or birthing center, or during the birthing experience at your home.
  • A safe and clean environment during your labor and delivery, and a quiet and safe room after you give birth.
  • Virtually uninterrupted contact with your newborn from the moment of birth, as long as you and your baby are healthy and do not need care that requires separation.
  • Have your baby in your room with you 24 hours a day.
  • Have your baby stay with you right after birth, whether you deliver vaginally or by c- section.
  • Begin breastfeeding within one hour after birth.
  • Get help from someone who is trained in breastfeeding.
  • Have your baby not receive any bottle feeding or pacifiers if that is against your wishes.
  • Know about and refuse any drugs that may dry up your milk.
  • Choose how to feed your baby – whether with breastfeeding/chest feeding, formula, or a combination of both – and receiving the help you need to feed your baby.
  • Make choices about the care of your baby, such as whether or not to be with your baby for their medical tests and procedures (unless there is a medical reason not to) and where your baby stays (in the same room with you or in the nursery).
  • Receive information, counseling and support services for you and your family if you experience a miscarriage, stillbirth, or loss of an infant.
  • Maternal healthcare facilities ensuring that you understand your rights as a birthing person and family.
Breastfeeding
  • Change your mind.
  • Receive maternity care that is appropriate to your cultural and religious background.
  • Receive information in a language in which you can communicate.
  • An interpreter if you do not speak English.
  • Fair treatment regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, HIV status, immigration status, income level or form of insurance.
  • Receive complete information about the benefits and risks of breastfeeding well in advance of labor.
  • Refuse supplemental formula bottles and other actions that interfere with breastfeeding.
  • Access to skilled lactation support for as long as you choose to breastfeed.
  • Receive a Breastfeeding Bill of Rights.
  • Resources to prepare for childbirth and feeding your baby, such as childbirth education classes and nursing counselors.
  • Have your baby in your room with you 24 hours a day.
  • Have your baby stay with you right after birth, whether you deliver vaginally or by c- section.
  • Begin breastfeeding within one hour after birth.
  • Get help from someone who is trained in breastfeeding.
  • Have your baby not receive any bottle feeding or pacifiers if that is against your wishes.
  • Know about and refuse any drugs that may dry up your milk.
  • Breastfeed your baby at any time, day or night.
  • Breastfeed your baby in the neonatal intensive care unit.
  • Breastfeed your baby at your place of employment or child daycare center in an environment that does not discourage breastfeeding or the provision of breast milk.
  • As an employee in Federal, State, and local government OR a private company with 50 or more employees, to be provided a reasonable break time and place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view to express breast milk while at work, as written under Texas Government Code, Chapter 619 and the Fair Labor Standards Act.
    • Private employers with fewer than 50 employees are excused from this requirement.
    • Your employer must provide a place that is not a multiple-user bathroom where you can express breast milk in private. Your employer may not discriminate against you based on your decision to express breast milk at work.
  • Choose how to feed your baby – whether with breastfeeding/chest feeding, formula, or a combination of both – and receiving the help you need to feed your baby.
Caregiver/Partner Support
  • Whether to accept a recommended c-section, regardless of hospital policies.  
    • Your consent is required before any procedures like vaginal exams or breaking the bag of water. This can include leaving the hospital if you do not want to be admitted.  
  • Accept or refuse procedures, drugs, tests, and treatments, and have your choices honored.  
  • Change your mind.  
  • Select your preferred procedure without pressure.  
  • Choose your birth setting from the full range of safe options available in your community (such as a hospital, birth center, or home) based on complete, objective information about benefits, risks, and costs of these options.  
  • Receive maternity care that is appropriate to your cultural and religious background.  
  • Information on how to file a formal complaint about concerns related to the care you have received.  
  • Your choices about your family respected, such as whether you have a spouse or partner, what your spouse’s or partner’s gender is, how many children you have, or if you have chosen to place a baby for adoption.  
  • Courteous staff who introduce themselves when they enter the room.  
    • If you have a negative experience or do not feel comfortable with a staff member for any reason (e.g., behavior, skill or experience level, etc.) you can ask for and receive a different staff member.  
  • Support during your labor and birth – from a family member, partner, and/or birth support worker such as a doula (a trained professional who provides information and support before, during, and shortly after childbirth).  
  • Choose who you want present during your exams, delivery, and other procedures, and have this decision respected.  
  • Decide who you do not want in the room, including staff members, during exams and procedures, and have this decision respected.  
  • Receive full advance information about risks and benefits of reasonably available methods for relieving pain during labor and birth, including methods that do not require the use of drugs.
    • You have the right to choose which methods will be used and to change your mind at any time.  
  • Choose a midwife, doula, or a physician as your maternity care provider.  
  • Leave your maternity caregiver and select another if you become dissatisfied with your care.  
  • Information about the professional identity and qualifications of those involved in your care, and to know when those involved are trainees.  
  • Decide collaboratively with caregivers when you and your baby will leave the birth site for home, based on your conditions and circumstances.  
  • Hold your baby immediately after birth (also known as skin-to-skin), even if you have had a c-section.  
  • Timely attention to your needs, including taking your pain level seriously, for your entire stay at a hospital or birthing center, or during the birthing experience at your home.  
  • Virtually uninterrupted contact with your newborn from the moment of birth, as long as you and your baby are healthy and do not need care that requires separation.  
  • As an employee in Federal, State, and local government OR a private company with 50 or more employees, to be provided a reasonable break time and place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view to express breast milk while at work, as written under Texas Government Code, Chapter 619 and the Fair Labor Standards Act.  
    • Private employers with fewer than 50 employees are excused from this requirement  
    • Your employer must provide a place, that is not a multiple user bathroom, where you can express breast milk in private. Your employer may not discriminate against you based on your decision to express breast milk at work.  
  • Make choices about the care of your baby, such as whether or not to be with your baby for their medical tests and procedures (unless there is a medical reason not to) and where your baby stays (in the same room with you or in the nursery).  
  • Receive information, counseling and support services for you and your family if you experience a miscarriage, stillbirth, or loss of an infant.  
Delivery Types and Settings
  • Full and clear information about the benefits, risks, and costs, of any procedure, drug, test, or treatment.
  • Understand other options, including what will happen if you don’t choose any of the provided options.
  • Have all your questions answered before you make a decision about your healthcare.
  • Not be threatened into choosing certain options.
  • Information about the potential effects of administered drugs or procedures to your and/or your unborn child.
  • Instruction that minimal use of non-essential pre-operative medication is beneficial, in cases of cesarean delivery.
  • Decide whether or not to get an epidural.
  • Whether to accept a recommended c-section, regardless of hospital policies.
    • Your consent is required before any procedures like vaginal exams or breaking the bag of water. This can include leaving the hospital if you do not want to be admitted.
  • Accept or refuse procedures, drugs, tests, and treatments, and have your choices honored.
  • Change your mind.
  • Select your preferred procedure without pressure.
  • Choose your birth setting from the full range of safe options available in your community (such as a hospital, birth center, or home) based on complete, objective information about benefits, risks, and costs of these options.
  • Receive maternity care that is appropriate to your cultural and religious background.
  • Receive information in a language in which you can communicate.
  • An interpreter if you do not speak English.
  • Disability accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  • Make health care choices, such as which medical procedures you will and will not allow to be performed on you, based on your values, religion, and beliefs.
  • Fair treatment regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, HIV status, immigration status, income level or form of insurance.
  • Courteous staff who introduce themselves when they enter the room.
    • If you have a negative experience or do not feel comfortable with a staff member for any reason (e.g., behavior, skill or experience level, etc.) you can ask for and receive a different staff member.
  • Support during your labor and birth from a family member, partner, and/or birth support worker such as a doula (a trained professional who provides information and support before, during, and shortly after childbirth).
  • Choose who you want present during your exams, delivery, and other procedures, and have this decision respected.
  • Decide who you do not want in the room, including staff members, during exams and procedures, and have this decision respected.
  • Receive full advance information about risks and benefits of reasonably available methods for relieving pain during labor and birth, including methods that do not require the use of drugs.
    • You have the right to choose which methods will be used and to change your mind at any time.
  • Providers who are trained and skilled in current best practices for care during pregnancy and childbirth.
  • Choose a midwife, doula, or a physician as your maternity care provider.
  • Caregivers skilled in normal childbearing and caregivers skilled in complications are needed to ensure quality care for all.
  • Receive all or most of your maternity care from a single caregiver or a small group of caregivers with whom you can establish a relationship.
  • Leave your maternity caregiver and select another if you become dissatisfied with your care.
  • Information about the professional identity and qualifications of those involved in your care, and to know when those involved are trainees.
  • Communicate with caregivers and receive all care in privacy, which may involve excluding non-essential personnel.
  • Receive continuous social, emotional, and physical support during labor and birth from a caregiver who has been trained in labor and support.
  • Freedom of movement during labor, including walking the floor or choosing different birthing positions.
  • Refuse supplemental formula bottles and other actions that interfere with breastfeeding.
  • Decide collaboratively with caregivers when you and your baby will leave the birth site for home, based on your conditions and circumstances.
  • Receive the care you deserve and leave if you are not receiving good care.  
    • It can be as simple as saying, “I would like to leave AMA” and signing paperwork stating that you understand the risks and you may need to be interviewed by an ethicist or psychiatrist.
  • Information on the policies and practices of the place where you choose to give birth.
  • Resources to prepare for childbirth and feeding your baby, such as childbirth education classes and nursing counselors.
  • Hold your baby immediately after birth (also known as skin-to-skin), even if you have had a c-section.
  • Timely attention to your needs, including taking your pain level seriously, for your entire stay at a hospital or birthing center, or during the birthing experience at your home.
  • A safe and clean environment during your labor and delivery, and a quiet and safe room after you give birth.
  • Virtually uninterrupted contact with your newborn from the moment of birth, as long as you and your baby are healthy and do not need care that requires separation.
  • Have your baby in your room with you 24 hours a day.
  • Have your baby stay with you right after birth, whether you deliver vaginally or by c- section.
  • Begin breastfeeding within one hour after birth.
  • Choose how to feed your baby whether with breastfeeding/chest feeding, formula, or a combination of both and receiving the help you need to feed your baby.
  • Make choices about the care of your baby, such as whether or not to be with your baby for their medical tests and procedures (unless there is a medical reason not to) and where your baby stays (in the same room with you or in the nursery).
  • Receive information, counseling and support services for you and your family if you experience a miscarriage, stillbirth, or loss of an infant.
  • Maternal healthcare facilities ensuring that you understand your rights as a birthing person and family.
Potential Pregnancy Complications
  • Information about the potential effects of administered drugs or procedures to your and/or your unborn child.
  • Receive information in a language in which you can communicate.
  • An interpreter if you do not speak English.
  • Disability accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  • Information on how to file a formal complaint about concerns related to the care you have received.
  • Reach your prenatal provider during your pregnancy if you have concerns that cannot wait until your next scheduled visit.
  • Caregivers skilled in normal childbearing and caregivers skilled in complications are needed to ensure quality care for all.
  • Receive information, counseling and support services for you and your family if you experience a miscarriage, stillbirth, or loss of an infant.
Postpartum (Support, Recovery, and Care of the Baby)
  • Full and clear information about the benefits, risks, and costs, of any procedure, drug, test, or treatment.  
  • Change your mind.  
  • Choose your birth setting from the full range of safe options available in your community (such as a hospital, birth center, or home) based on complete, objective information about benefits, risks, and costs of these options.  
  • Receive maternity care that is appropriate to your cultural and religious background.  
  • Receive information in a language in which you can communicate.  
  • An interpreter if you do not speak English.  
  • Make health care choices, such as which medical procedures you will and will not allow to be performed on you, based on your values, religion, and beliefs.  
  • Information on how to file a formal complaint about concerns related to the care you have received.  
  • Courteous staff who introduce themselves when they enter the room.  
    • If you have a negative experience or do not feel comfortable with a staff member for any reason (e.g., behavior, skill or experience level, etc.) you can ask for and receive a different staff member.
  • Providers who are trained and skilled in current best practices for care during pregnancy and childbirth.  
  • Choose a midwife, doula, or a physician as your maternity care provider.  
  • Caregivers skilled in normal childbearing and caregivers skilled in complications are needed to ensure quality care for all.  
  • Leave your maternity caregiver and select another if you become dissatisfied with your care.  
  • Information about the professional identity and qualifications of those involved in your care, and to know when those involved are trainees.  
  • Communicate with caregivers and receive all care in privacy, which may involve excluding non-essential personnel.  
  • Be informed if your caregivers wish to enroll you or your infant in a research study.  
  • Unrestricted access to all available records about your pregnancy, labor, birth, postpartum course, and infant; to obtain a full copy of these records; and to receive help in understanding them, if necessary.  
  • Receive continuous social, emotional, and physical support during labor and birth from a caregiver who has been trained in labor and support.  
  • Refuse supplemental formula bottles and other actions that interfere with breastfeeding.  
  • Decide collaboratively with caregivers when you and your baby will leave the birth site for home, based on your conditions and circumstances.  
  • Receive a Breastfeeding Bill of Rights.  
  • Resources to prepare for childbirth and feeding your baby, such as childbirth education classes and nursing counselors.  
  • Hold your baby immediately after birth (also known as skin-to-skin), even if you have had a c-section.  
  • Timely attention to your needs, including taking your pain level seriously, for your entire stay at a hospital or birthing center, or during the birthing experience at your home.  
  • Virtually uninterrupted contact with your newborn from the moment of birth, as long as you and your baby are healthy and do not need care that requires separation.  
  • Have your baby in your room with you 24 hours a day.  
  • Have your baby stay with you right after birth, whether you deliver vaginally or by c- section.  
  • Get help from someone who is trained in breastfeeding.  
  • Have your baby not receive any bottle feeding or pacifiers if that is against your wishes.  
  • Know about and refuse any drugs that may dry up your milk.  
  • Breastfeed your baby at any time day or night.  
  • Breastfeed your baby in the neonatal intensive care unit.  
  • As an employee in Federal, State, and local government OR a private company with 50 or more employees, to be provided a reasonable break time and place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view to express breast milk while at work, as written under Texas Government Code, Chapter 619 and the Fair Labor Standards Act.  
    • Private employers with fewer than 50 employees are excused from this requirement  
    • Your employer must provide a place, that is not a multiple user bathroom, where you can express breast milk in private. Your employer may not discriminate against you based on your decision to express breast milk at work.  
  • Choose how to feed your baby – whether with breastfeeding/chest feeding, formula, or a combination of both – and receiving the help you need to feed your baby.  
  • Make choices about the care of your baby, such as whether or not to be with your baby for their medical tests and procedures (unless there is a medical reason not to) and where your baby stays (in the same room with you or in the nursery).  
  • Receive information, counseling and support services for you and your family if you experience a miscarriage, stillbirth, or loss of an infant.
Benefits
  • Full and clear information about the benefits, risks, and costs, of any procedure, drug, test, or treatment.
  • Understand other options, including what will happen if you don't choose any of the provided options.
  • Have all your questions answered before you make a decision about your healthcare.
  • Not be threatened into choosing certain options.
  • Information about the potential effects of administered drugs or procedures to your and/or your unborn child.
  • Decide whether or not to get an epidural.
  • Whether to accept a recommended c-section, regardless of hospital policies.
    • Your consent is required before any procedures like vaginal exams or breaking the bag of water. This can include leaving the hospital if you do not want to be admitted.
  • Accept or refuse procedures, drugs, tests, and treatments, and have your choices honored.
  • Change your mind.
  • Select your preferred procedure without pressure.
  • Choose your birth setting from the full range of safe options available in your community (such as a hospital, birth center, or home) based on complete, objective information about benefits, risks, and costs of these options.
  • Receive maternity care that is appropriate to your cultural and religious background.
  • An interpreter if you do not speak English.
  • Disability accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  • Make health care choices, such as which medical procedures you will and will not allow to be performed on you, based on your values, religion, and beliefs.
  • Receive full advance information about risks and benefits of reasonably available methods for relieving pain during labor and birth, including methods that do not require the use of drugs.
    • You have the right to choose which methods will be used and to change your mind at any time.
  • Choose a midwife, doula, or a physician as your maternity care provider.
  • Leave your maternity caregiver and select another if you become dissatisfied with your care.
  • Unrestricted access to all available records about your pregnancy, labor, birth, postpartum course, and infant; to obtain a full copy of these records; and to receive help in understanding them, if necessary.
  • Decide collaboratively with caregivers when you and your baby will leave the birth site for home, based on your conditions and circumstances.
  • Receive a Breastfeeding Bill of Rights.
  • Get help from someone who is trained in breastfeeding.
  • As an employee in Federal, State, and local government OR a private company with 50 or more employees, to be provided a reasonable break time and place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view to express breast milk while at work, as written under Texas Government Code, Chapter 619 and the Fair Labor Standards Act.
    • Private employers with fewer than 50 employees are excused from this requirement
    • Your employer must provide a place, that is not a multiple user bathroom, where you can express breast milk in private. Your employer may not discriminate against you based on your decision to express breast milk at work.
  • Receive information, counseling and support services for you and your family if you experience a miscarriage, stillbirth, or loss of an infant.
  • Maternal healthcare facilities ensuring that you understand your rights as a birthing person and family.
Legal Implications
  • Not be threatened into choosing certain options.
  • Whether to accept a recommended c-section, regardless of hospital policies.
    • Your consent is required before any procedures like vaginal exams or breaking the bag of water. This can include leaving the hospital if you do not want to be admitted.
  • Accept or refuse procedures, drugs, tests, and treatments, and have your choices honored.
  • Change your mind.
  • Receive information in a language in which you can communicate.
  • An interpreter if you do not speak English.
  • Disability accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  • Make health care choices, such as which medical procedures you will and will not allow to be performed on you, based on your values, religion, and beliefs.
  • Fair treatment regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, HIV status, immigration status, income level or form of insurance.
  • Information on how to file a formal complaint about concerns related to the care you have received.
  • Have the healthcare provider or institution respond to your concerns in a timely fashion.
    • This also includes the right to be provided with clear alternatives for switching to another provider within 24-72 hours.
  • Your choices about your family respected, such as whether you have a spouse or partner, what your spouse’s or partner’s gender is, how many children you have, or if you have chosen to place a baby for adoption.
  • Courteous staff who introduce themselves when they enter the room.
    • If you have a negative experience or do not feel comfortable with a staff member for any reason (e.g., behavior, skill or experience level, etc.) you can ask for and receive a different staff member.
  • Ask for and use the name and gender pronouns you prefer.
  • Decide who you do not want in the room, including staff members, during exams and procedures, and have this decision respected.
  • Receive full advance information about risks and benefits of reasonably available methods for relieving pain during labor and birth, including methods that do not require the use of drugs.
    • You have the right to choose which methods will be used and to change your mind at any time.
  • Providers who are trained and skilled in current best practices for care during pregnancy and childbirth.
  • Leave your maternity caregiver and select another if you become dissatisfied with your care.
  • Information about the professional identity and qualifications of those involved in your care, and to know when those involved are trainees.
  • Communicate with caregivers and receive all care in privacy, which may involve excluding non-essential personnel.
  • Have all personal information treated according to standards of confidentiality.
  • Be informed if your caregivers wish to enroll you or your infant in a research study.
  • Unrestricted access to all available records about your pregnancy, labor, birth, postpartum course, and infant; to obtain a full copy of these records; and to receive help in understanding them, if necessary
  • Access to skilled lactation support for as long as you choose to breastfeed, governed by Texas Government Code, Chapter 619.
  • Information on the policies and practices of the place where you choose to give birth.
  • Breastfeed your baby at your place of employment or child day care center in an environment that does not discourage breastfeeding or the provision of breast milk.
  • As an employee in Federal, State, and local government OR a private company with 50 or more employees, to be provided a reasonable break time and place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view to express breast milk while at work, as written under Texas Government Code, Chapter 619 and the Fair Labor Standards Act.
    • Private employers with fewer than 50 employees are excused from this requirement
    • Your employer must provide a place, that is not a multiple user bathroom, where you can express breast milk in private. Your employer may not discriminate against you based on your decision to express breast milk at work.
  • Choose how to feed your baby – whether with breastfeeding/chest feeding, formula, or a combination of both – and receiving the help you need to feed your baby.
  • Maternal healthcare facilities ensuring that you understand your rights as a birthing person and family.

To download a poster version of the MHBoR, click the button below.

MHBoR Poster