Unassisted Birth Rights

[Nataliejayne85]

Hi!
I was wondering if anyone could direct me to what my rights are to have an unassisted birth in reality.
I met a nurse yesterday who very bluntly said it was illegal to which I informed her it wasn't!
I am not very far along and I am already being wound up by the medical profession, I don't mind being given the information but I feel that I am being bullied which is why I am relucent to have even midwife present (though may consider if funds allow an indepentant midwife but as I don't want to be checked, I don't want to be causing trouble for a midwife RE her legal responsibilties and requirements). Also having experienced bad medical practice in the past I know saying NO doesn't mean NO to everyone and I do not want to be worrying about people not listening to me.
Also can I have other people in the house at the time of the birth or will they be held responsible if something went wrong, even if I refused their help?
Also anyone know any good legal people to draw up paperwork re unassisted birth if applicable?

Thanks

I see what you mean Chellesgirl, we are talking about different rights. You were talking about legal rights and I was talking about moral rights. Morally, I could never defend to my dcs if they ended up damaged because I had consciously taken a decision based more on my priorities than on theirs. But I appreciate that legally it is hard to force me to do things I don't want to.

I really really struggle to follow your logic and arguments I'm afraid. You posted a few posts ago to say that a woman could not be forced to have a CS. No mention of mental capacity or consent. I pointed out that there had indeed been legal precedents set - at no point did I say I was going to 'quote the law' When you start to look in more detail at ethico/legal cases in obstetrics, you'll see that 'quoting the law' requires a legal degree The article I gave you provides an excellent overview of the legal precedents - if you want more detail about the 19992 case, just reference Re S 1992 for example.

Apologies for the name changing - I can't multi task and the kids are clamouring to be fed

Also I just had a look at OP's post and can't help but worry for her, she's not very far along and does actually sound serious about doing this, and I wonder were she mentions about saying no to medical intervention before if that implies she has given birth before and had a miserable experience in which case she's probably going to do it.

Guess we'll never know, but I really hope she manages to get the funds to get herself a mw and that the mw respects her needs.

no its ok, ive already read through the 1992 case...i see what you mean...but re: 'no mention of mental capacity' when speaking in general about birth rights this doesnt come into it...the OP clearly knows that she is able enough to make the decision...hence the fact she posted on MN, if she was incapable of making a decision based on the welfare of her and her baby, she would clearly be in a 'mental home' or at least under psychiatric care...

go feed them before they eat you alive...dd has the 'wheres my dinner' gruntintg going on at moment too

Cory...its ok...i understand the ethical side of your views, i too coulnt put my unborn baby at risk.

I too worry for her, being very early on in her pregnancy she is already worried about the birth...at 6 weeks i was more worrieda bout telling my mom! I didnt start to think about the birth till i knew dd was healthy (as was ill in untero) which was around 27 weeks. the op is clearly listening to scaremongering stories and applying it to ehr situation..when people told me there horror stories I accepted it, and carried on my pregnancy without thier thoughts...this baby was mine and this birth is mine and not thiers.
I really do think that she should speak to a midwife first before making a rash decision about freebirthing, especially for a first baby as you dont know what bith is like.