Section 250.1845  Caesarean Birth

a)         A hospital may permit the father or a support person to be present at a delivery by caesarean birth if the program is part of the hospital's Obstetric and Neonatal Service Plan.  Nothing in this Part shall be construed to require a hospital to permit the father or a support person to attend caesarean births.  This Part does not vest any right upon any lay person to attend a caesarean birth.  The operating physician shall always have the right to exclude a father or support person from a caesarean birth for any reason.  For the purposes of this Section, a support person is the husband of the mother, the father of the infant, or any other person selected by the mother, who is acceptable to the physician and meets the requirements of the hospital's policies.

b)         The hospital's Obstetric and Neonatal Service Plan shall include:

1)         Criteria for admitting the father or other support person to the delivery by caesarean birth;

2)         Education, counseling or other preparation furnished to the mother and father or to the support person attending a caesarean birth; and

            3)         Operating room procedures and assignments for caesarean birth.

(Source:  Added at 36 Ill. Reg. 17413, effective December 3, 2012)