Labor and delivery... feeling sick at the thought!?

Question

Yet another hospital birth is impending (well, I'm only 26 weeks, but it's going fast) and the thought of having this baby at the hospital makes me want to puke... I'm wondering, if I FLAT OUT refuse certain things that are "mandatory", what will they do about it? I've been very curious lately because there are certain elements of the hospital birthing experience that make my stomach turn and I am going to simply inform the staff "I will not have a, b, c, d... etc." even though I KNOW those things (I don't want to get specific on here) are "mandatory"...

How do you think the hospital handles that? I know for religious reasons exceptions can be made for stuff, so what about similarly, a woman's right to choose? And realistically, would they deny me treatment if I'm in labor if I told them outright my "demands"?

Answer 1

Is there a birth center within an hour's drive of you?  You can get the birth you want there.  According to the Pregnant Patients Bill of Rights you are supposed to have the right to refuse certain procedures if you do not like the risks involved.  (However, it seems that they do not follow that.)  I did not want the electronic monitor, but the hospitals here insist upon it.  I've heard that they will not even admit you if you refuse it.  Please look for a birth center or even consider a home birth.

Answer 2

Well, as far as I understand, the patient has a right to refuse, and it is against the law not to treat in an emergency and labor is considered an emergency. As long as it is not something that would harm you or put the baby in danger, I don't see why they wouldn't abide by your requests.  I am not sure what certain "mandatory" things you don't want to do but maybe try looking for a midwife to have a more natural birth. Good luck.

Answer 3

You have the right to refuse any medical treatment or procedure. Even if, in the opinion of medical staff, they come strongly recommeded.

The following is from childbirthconnection.org:

"Whenever a medical procedure, drug, test, or other treatment is offered to a woman, she has the legal right to "informed consent." [...]

[...] Then, by law, she has the right to decide whether to accept the care that is offered. If she disagrees with her caregiver and decides not to accept care that is offered, she has a right to this "informed refusal." And, even if she signed a form agreeing to a particular type of care, she has the right to change her mind. Although these are well-established legal rights, they have been challenged in a few recent cases."

It's your body, your baby, your birth. Having said that, you need to try to build a positive and co-operative relationship with your care providers. A combative and tense relationship will not be conducive to a gentle birth. You probably already know that the birthing room needs to be a calm and positive place.

Talk to them about your concerns prior to the birth. Consider writing a flexible birth plan to help facilitate communication.

Failing that, change care providers. Have you considered a home birth or a birth centre rather than a labour ward?

Good luck and happy birthing!

Answer 4

You have the RIGHT to refuse ANY treatment you don't want... With that said I think you need to be reasonable with your requests.  Alot of things they do are for safety reasons and should not be taken lightly.  BUt you do have the right to refuse what ever you want... even if you just to want a certain nurse because her name is Sally....  

Answer 5

you should talk to your doctor about these "mandatory" things that you don't want to have any part of. start making a list, and find out if it's even possible for the hospital staff to meet your requests. if some of these mandatory things can't be bent or broken for anybody, mabye you'd be better off having a home birth. the hospital can't deny your requests or refuse to deliver your baby. mabye your doctor can help you find a place that can meet all of your requests and needs.

Answer 6

What kind of demands are you talking about? I demanded no c section and no extraction whatsoever. And my needs were met. (By the grace of God) I mean, some women MUST have a c section. But a lot of women just listen to their persuasive Doctor when he's saying  "It could be hours and hours of labor.. blah blha blah... "

Answer 7

First off you need to discuss these issues with the doctor before you even go into labor. Often they will have you write up a birth plan with them and you bring it to the hospital so the staff knows what you do and do not want.  

To be honest it sounds like you view the nurses and doctors as enemies. They don't do anything without consent and the things they recommended are promoted for good reason. They have a lot of experience and their goal is to help you through this natural process while keeping everybody safe. Usually they are quite flexible, just be clear about your intentions from the start. (this is another reason to discuss these issues with your doctor. He may have explanations/clarifications of some of these interventions)

What in specific are you concerned about? What do you consider mandatory?

Just remember that labor and delivery are but one day and what really matters is the health and well being of you and your child. Flexibility and variation from the plan are sometimes necessary for a good outcome so I wouldn't write your birth plan in stone.

PS- I wouldn't go in there talking about "demands" and "flat out refusing mandatory things".  It's probably not the type relationship you want to forge with the people caring for you. Try giving them some respect and you will get it in return

Answer 8

this is baby number 4 and you dont know what to expect ? Im assuming you never had birthing classes or anything ?

you can design a birth plan and give it to them when you go of the things you would like and not like

example on mine, I put I was going to have music, low lights, and donot ASK me if I need or want an epidural

the hospital I went to respected all my wishes,

IF YOU HAVE HIGH demands, maybe  have your kids at home or dont have anymore

Answer 9

yes.. please explain.. whats mandatory??

Answer 10

I'm not sure what exactly they do in hospital you don't want them to.

However it's not too late to find another alternative.. seriously.

I would see if there is a birthing centre/ water birth facility / midwifery centre etc.. as long as your pregnancy has been healthy and there is no worries or concerns I don't see why you can't give birth at this sort of facility if you want to give birth your way.

Answer 11

Truly, there is no such thing as "manditory." It is your body and you have absolute choice as to what you want.  From rooming in with your baby, to having an iv.  I have not had so much as an I.V. in any of my births.  I am choosing it this time because I have had group b strep in my urine throughout my pregnancy.  None of my children have had erythromycin in their eyes.  I have to sign a waiver each time (which is so funny,) because it is law where I live to give it to the child. How is it law if I can sign a waiver and say no?  Even if you have a breach baby you can refuse a csection, someone has to deliver the baby.  No consent, no section.  What concerns do you have?

Answer 12

Have you thought about hiring a doula to help you at your birth?  Nothing is mandatory.  You have the right to decline anything, but don't be surprised if they pressure you to do whatever is their policy.

I was lucky that I got nurses who respected my wishes during my first labor at a hospital.  The on-call doctor didn't s***w things up too much because she wasn't there very long.  But she was more a hindrance to my daughter's birth than a help.  If my regular doctor hadn't been on vacation it could have been much worse.  He was very nice, but natural birth was not his forte.

For my second child we didn't want to leave it to fate to get lucky and get good nurses.  We hired midwives and had our baby at home.  The circumstances of her birth were different than my first baby's.  If she'd been born in the hospital she'd have been forced out with pitocin or sectioned.

Answer 13

well, what are these "demands"?

Answer 14

you re being vague, so its hard to speak to your worries exactly, i wonder if you're talking about vaccines for the newborn- which you dont have to do.

if its stuff like them checking your dilation progress(ouch!), or wearing that stupid heart monitor belt thing- yes, you probably have to comply.

but, ALL the ladies from my church, get mid-wives, and have perfectly safe home birth! so, you still have plenty of time to check into that! if i didn't have certain risks, i'd do it. the hospital is so intrusive! its like _why do they need to come wake you up to check your blood pressure in the middle of the night?? i cant stand that!

Answer 15

They can't turn you away for refusing certain treatments. Make sure to read everything you sign and make sure they know that you will sign whatever you need to in order to release them from the liability. For example my midwife said that the hospital does not allow water births but if the baby just happens to be born in the water there is nothing they can do. She suggested I refuse to get out of the water to push. I was unable to stay in the water for various reasons but I had fully planned on doing so.