How far can you go in your demands to a midwife?

[Sweetypie]

Today in our antenatal class we were talking about what we wanted for our labour and I came to realise that some of our wishes may not be realised... I was wondering if anyone had any particular experience of asking for something and being refused...
I had an emergency cesarean last time and I want a water birth this time as I believe water will be good for me.... but I know they are unlikely to allow me to do that. Can I insist on it? Can I sk for a second opinion or another midwife if I am turned down on admission?
I have read on other discussions that the midwfe cannot force you into something but does it work the other way around?
Experiences of that anyone?
Thanks

A midwife can refuse to "allow" you a water birth in hospital quite easily. All they need to say is "the birthing pool is being used" or "the pool is out of order" or "there are no midwives on duty who are trained to assist in the birthing pool". It is a tricky one, really.

That said, i have been looking around and a previous c.section isn't cited anywhere I can see as a contraindication for waterbirth. So it may well depend on the unit you give birth in and why you had the c.section last time.

I would suggest that you discuss this with you midwife as soon as possible - and if that is not satisfactory then you could try talking to your obstetrician (if you are going to a hospital). Try to find out whether your c.section automatically bars you from using their birthing pool, and try to find out why. If your obst. agrees to it, get him to write it in your notes. Good luck!

The only other possibiltiy that I can thin, of would be to speak to an independant midwife.

Sweetypie - have you read the thread about active birth aftr c.section? A lot of people have commented on it, and the topic is much the same as yours.

Sweetypie - your midwife should not refuse to allow your wishes, and should do all she can to accomodate, but she will also discuss with you why water birth MAY not be an advisable option for you with a previous c/s (and I do say MAY before anyone lynches me!). At the end of the day, the midwife is there to assist you in your delivery, whether or not she agrees with the decisions you make - at home or hospital. Unfortunately, as Oakmaiden points out, it may be trickier in hospital as excuses such as the pool room is in use etc might be used (but then it very well may be in use!)
As you have had a previous c/s, the probable protocol at the hospital will be to continuously monitor you throughout labour. This is obviously not possible (or desirable) in the water. However, you do not have to agree to the protocol, and can refuse this, and the midwife will document this in your notes.
Oakmaiden suggests taking to your obstetrician if you feel unhappy with the midiwfe, but in my experience the obstetrician will be more likely to want to persuade you otherwise than the midwife.

Thanks for your replies. I had a chat with my midwife today and she did warn me that some of her colleagues will be very uncomfortable if I want a water birth. She is OK with it and she says one of the consultants would be too... so may be I need him to write something in my notes. Having said that my friend had the OB write in her note that he was OK with a water birth... the midwife still told her no - now who really argue with a midwife in between contractions anyway? That friend wrote and complained!
My midwife did say that it is very sad that not all midwives are looking at the evidence.... all I can do is hope that I get a positive midwife I suppose, presumably there isn't much point in begging for a water birth if the staff is going to be less than accomodating, is it?

Sweetypie - in my experience, women who write their wishes down in a formal letter to the consultant and senior midwife of the labour suite get serious consideration for their wishes.
At our unit the consultant and senior midwife have agreed to facilitate the use of the midwifery unit and pool for women do not want continuous monitoring and also to use the pool. We have had waterbirths with women who have had previous C/S. It helps to arm yourself with evidence.
However, a problem can arise if there are no midwives on duty with experience of waterbirth. Fortunately we usually have someone on duty but in the early days the senior midwife would come in if need be. Also, if the staff know well enough in advance then they can read up on pool deliveries and the care required.
Someone has to be the first person. I don't know who was ours but she paved the way for others. Now it is not such a big deal. The pool is the best place for previous C/S IMO. Good luck.