Maternity laws define motherhood by regulations governing care, custody and leave.
Maternity laws in New York cover the rights of the mother to maternal care during pregnancy and in early child care, the rights of mothers to breastfeed their young, the right of maternity healthcare centers to collect information on mothers and children, and inpatient care for expectant and new mothers. The New York legal system under the family court has put in effect these maternity laws to protect mothers and their children and to make birthing institutions accountable.
Maternity Breastfeeding Rights
New York has instituted a law ensuring the rights of breastfeeding mothers to obtain proper health care through physicians, midwives or other maternal health care practitioners through hospitals, birthing centers or maternal healthcare facilities. Mothers earn the right to select the method of feeding babies, whether breast or bottle; however, an accompanying advisory on behalf of breastfeeding follows this law. Breastfeeding mothers have the right to acquire information concerning their baby's care, breast milk collection and breast milk storage. In public and private places, mothers have authorization to breastfeed their children.
Maternity Centers
Maternity homes and health institutions have the duty to keep accurate records of girls and women who are mothers. The mother's record has to consist of her full name, address, religious affiliation, child's name, sex, and the names and addresses of the persons who register the mother, who remove her after discharge from the facility and who pay her medical fees. These records are subject to evaluation by employees, supervisors, superintendents, managers, directors and owners.
Maternity Inpatient Care
When a general hospital provides maternity care in the state of New York, mothers who have given birth naturally have the right to inpatient care for a 48-hour period following childbirth. Mothers who have undergone caesarean sections can choose to remain at most 96 hours in a health institution along with her newborn. If it lies in the mother's will to be discharged at an earlier time, it is her prerogative.
Tags: mothers have, breast milk, breastfeed their, have right, health care, inpatient care, Maternity laws