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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Can I refuse forceps?

100 replies

pennycat · 18/07/2006 11:59

Hi a newbie here, can you help me please as have appointment tomorrow at hospital to talk to an anaethetist (sp?) re my birth. I'm 35 weeks with first baby, have low platelet count so can't have an epidural which was something that I may have wanted to consider. Also can't use pethadine as allergic to it. If necessary can I refuse forceps/ventouse as I don't think I will have enough pain relief with G&A to cope and I am terrified of that outcome. Obviously I'm not thrilled about idea if C-section under general too but think it frightens me less.

Sorry to waffle on but can anyone tell me if you are allowed to refuse and at what point I should do that?

Many thanks guys..this website is a godsend!
Pennycat

OP posts:

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expatinscotland · 18/07/2006 12:01

you can refuse anything you want, but be advised that if you honestly run into problems delivering and you also refuse a csection, you and your baby's health can be in VERY grave danger.

also, you do realise that some women sustain 4th degree tears in labour?

personally, i'd rather have forceps!

my first daughter was delivered w/Haight-Ferguson forceps and i've had no lasting problems. second daughter delivered w/no pain relief and only a graze.

expatinscotland · 18/07/2006 12:03

also, you may be able to have spinal anaesthesia rather than epidural. discuss that w/your consultant.

i've had major surgery under spinal anaesthesia as i have a genetic condition which causes my body temp to spike too high under general anaesthesia, so had an op under spinal and it was fine.

i wasn't pregnant, so they were also able to give me IV sedation and i sort of went in and out during hte whole operation.

MissChief · 18/07/2006 12:03

had forceps with ds1. obviously not ideal but know tons of people who do have them 1st time and in my view this is preferable to a c/s. They got ds out alive too, w/o them this might not have been the outcome. my adivce is never at them (on those scarey hosp tours) really won't help but be open-minded on yr birthplan and when the time comes you'll take medical adivce anyway, everyone does. unfortuantley you really can't plan for these things!

MissChief · 18/07/2006 12:04

sorry, meant to say never look at them

FioFio · 18/07/2006 12:04

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Blu · 18/07/2006 12:08

expat - that's not what she's asking!

pennycat - I would talk this through with your mw now, and make sure you write it in your birth plan notes, and make sure your birth partner understands. Discuss the problem with the epidural with the aneasthetist and tell him/her that you would feel happier knowing that you could have a cs under GA rather than forceps / ventouse with no pain relief.

Use TENS from early on, use the pool if there is one (brilliant pain relief and good for your soul!), keep upright / leaning forwards as much as possible, and use G&A when you need it. A woman in my NCT group had a ventouse delivery with no pain relief and said it was manageable...but you will know how you feel if and when the time comes.

Good luck.

Jimjams2 · 18/07/2006 12:10

Why can't you have an epidural- how low are your platelets? I had low platelets in all 3 pregnancies- had spinal/epidural and c-section in all 3. They said they don't really worry too much unless the platelets go below 25 -which is REALLY low.

FioFio · 18/07/2006 12:11

This reply has been deleted

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littleducks · 18/07/2006 12:14

Hi pennycat, im new here too, i had my baby girl 2 months ago, i'm sure that you will get all the info youneed specific to your situation tomorrow but i just wanted to say that we were told in our antenatal classes by our midwives that every procedure was a choice we had to make and this was my experience (you can refuse blood tests, scans, drugs etc. if for some reason you felt you needed to), you should have your options explained at every stage and be asked for consent. I would explain your concerns tomorrow and see what options you have. I had gas and air and found it helped it doesnt take the pain away but gets you 'high' so it doesnt bother you quite as much.

littleducks · 18/07/2006 12:19

sorry i took so long typing all these other post came up while i was still typing. just wanted to add that lots of walking and leaning forward for contractions helped me get dd out and deal with the pain.

Original poster

pennycat · 18/07/2006 12:36

Thanks so much guys,

I am aware that if needs must then I would have to grin and bear it, but can't stomach the idea really.

expat - can't have spinal either they have told me

Fio - thats good to know too thanks for that

Jimjams - well the blood specialist said they would not do any spinal or epidural with platelets under 80 which mine are at now - they know its a low risk of problems but if you do bleed in spine obviously that would be very bad and no dr will take the risk!

I am all up for being mobile and G&A and stuff but just feel so scared. I know a CS is pants and not perfect and risky but I'm scared of being traumatised and not bonding with baby - but maybe its the hormones!

I feel i could state my views tomorrow now thanks to you guys xxxx thanks

OP posts:

LeahE · 18/07/2006 12:47

pennycat isn't talking about refusing a c-section, though, but about opting for a crash c-section under general rather than forceps.

You can refuse the forceps/ventouse, but the risks of a crash c-section under general are significantly higher than those of a c-section under spinal block (which I appreciate isn't an option for you). I think you should talk through what all the risk figures actually are with your anaesthetist so that you can make an informed decision.

doobydoo · 18/07/2006 12:49

Hi Pennycat.If you have an elective c/s there is no reason why it should be scarey[too]or why you should have probs bonding.Imo probs bonding can come with trauma and trying loads of different ways of getting baby out [ifyswim]I am not v.articulate today.
I would rather have a planned section than forceps.
But like others have said talk to your midwife and the anaeshatist and see what you think.Best of luck

CountessDracula · 18/07/2006 12:49

pennycat I had a similar terror of having C-sections as am very squeamish, I though I would put up with any pain rather than do it

Of course I needed one, but tbh by that point it seemed fairly minor in the scheme of things

I suppose what I am saying is when you are actually in the situation where you might need forceps you will probably be ok about it

LeahE · 18/07/2006 12:51

Sorry, took a very long time posting that by which point a whole discussion had happened.

Jimjams2 · 18/07/2006 13:11

pennycat- my platelets were 75 when I had ds1 (about 100 for the other 2) - no-one even mentioned not having a spinal or epidural. Might be worth checking that. Ds1 is 7 now so maybe guidelines have changed but I'd check.

oliveoil · 18/07/2006 13:18

pennycat - I had an emergency section with dd1 and had to have a general as my epidural would not top up. Scary at the time but only as it was like an episode of ER (she was in a bad way) and sometimes I get a bit glum that she was nearly an hour or so old before I saw her, but we bonded like glue, don't worry on that score. If you have a planned section, you will not have the emergency aspect.

Had VBAC with dd2 and had forceps as they wouldn't let me labour too long due to previous section - I had g&a throughout and tbh at the time would have agreed to anything!

Imo I wouldn't rule anything out and I didn't have a birth plan for this very reason, who can plan or forsee what will happen?

Tuesdayschild · 18/07/2006 13:21

I had DD 3 months ago by ventouse in the operating theatre (last attempt before em c-section). I only had gas and air and to be honest I was so desparate to get her out after 24hours that I would have agreed to anything! They gave me local for my episiotomy and I didn't really notice the stitches as I was too busy staring at my new baby girl in wonderment

kittywits · 18/07/2006 14:00

Like expat says, you can refuse ANYTHING that you want!! What you have to bear in mind at all times is what is best for you and your baby. After all you want a lovely healthy baby at the end of it all. So please don't refuse something if it becomes a medical necessity. The doctors will be suggesting it for a good reason.

nailpolish · 18/07/2006 14:02

havent read the whole thread but wanted to say my dd1 had forceps and they saved her life

there was absolutely nothing to show she was delived with forceps, etc

dressedupnowheretogo · 18/07/2006 14:04

penny cat come and join the due in august thread there are 53 of us so far we would love a new member

ive been told at my hospital if you have a section they use spinal

expatinscotland · 18/07/2006 14:47

blu, what do you mean 'that's not what she's asking'? she asked 'can i refuse forceps?'

well, yes, you can. you cannot be forced to do anything.

i also told her to speak w/a consultant, which she has done.

they don't go randomly suggesting forceps for delivery unless there's a medical need for it, so of course if a person refuses there could be consequences to that, including crash csection.

best to talk it over w/a consultant - including any fears - and make it known what you want hopefully before labour even starts.

LeahE · 18/07/2006 14:51

expat - Think it was your "and you also refuse a csection" that Blu was referring to. pennycat was talking about having a crash c/s in preference to forceps, not refusing a c/s.

expatinscotland · 18/07/2006 14:55

there was no need to shout at me abuot it, though.

ffs.

if a person's got medical conditions such as this, personally, it's a good idea to talk it over w/a consultant.

LeahE · 18/07/2006 15:03

Must have missed the shouting.

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