Postnatal midwife

[Casuallydresseddeepinconversation]

Do you need to see a midwife postnatally? I know u dont antenatally

Yes for both, unless you have a private Dr who sees you for every appointment.

Do you need to see you like in legal terms?
No.
You can decline medical care.
They will probably try to push to see the baby but you can flat refuse.

Why would you not want to?

people who decline healthcare whilst pregnant are immediate concern

Because being pregnant doesn't necessarily mean you are ill, im one of these people that only see a doctor if im unwell, just seems so Intrusive I've had 2 straightforward deliveries and not been ill with either one just wondered if you could decline like you can when pregnant, why is it an immediate concern if you are well not to see a health care professional?

Antenatal care isn't mandatory

Even if you're normally healthy it's really important to have the checks they do in the last few weeks. A urine sample can show things like pre-eclampsia even if you feel fine. It's just not worth the risk.

Im just interested in my rights to decline unnecessary care post natally,I know my rights antenatally and im 40+1 and in fine health

Please just be careful, I've also just had a baby, completely healthy and low risk throughout the whole pregnancy and all observations etc.

On delivery I suddenly had high blood pressure and protein in urine and they weren't able to rule out preeclampsia. And I was exercising and feeling healthy right up until delivery.

Edit: I know being pregnant doesn't mean you're ill but you can also be ill without being able to diagnose it on how physically well you feel.

In theory no but it's dangerous and you could end up being referred to social services for neglecting your unborn child.

I prioritised my already born child's appointments over my antenatal appointments, meaning that some of my appointments were later than they should have been. I got a telling off from the midwives.

The baby has no rights independent of my body until they are born and not having routing antenatal care does not equate neglecting the baby, my body supports the baby via the process of pregnancy irrespective of a midwife measuring the fundal heights and other such unnecessary things, im more interested in declining midwife visits post natally unless medically indicated

Yes you can. It's idiotic and incredibly selfish if you choose to do this, but it's not illegal.

However it would raise red flags (rightly so) and could result in a referral to Social Services.

I do understand your point of view OP (I had a freebirth) but I think you're a little premature in making the decision not to receive postnatal care before baby is even born. Have you had scans to know baby is head down and not presenting breech or transverse? If you end up with a nasty tear you will need stitches checking. If your membranes are ragged you could develop a serious infection, HELLP syndrome can develop postnatally, if you haven't had antenatal care baby could have group B strep, would you recognise signs of jaundice etc....I respect your autonomy but when baby is here you are likely to feel differently. The second my baby was born at home without a midwife I felt a huge responsibility towards him and had normal postnatal care.

How will you make sure your baby gets appropriate medical care?

It feels like an incredibly goady post OP. Essentially you can do whatever you like, but if it all goes tits up you only have yourself to blame.

You can do whatever you like, but I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want midwives to be around to check on the health of your baby at least.

Things can change extremely quickly in pregnancy and after, you are not immune because you’ve had 2 children already.

You obviously have the right to decline but how would you then get the heel prick test and other baby checks?

You obviously have the right to decline but how would you then get the heel prick test and other baby checks?

Why is it idiotic to not have medical care when you're not ill

Yes all scans been normal and fine,baby head down etc

I can pick up the phone and call and make an appointment if needed

Because you can have conditions like pre eclampsia and not feel ill. But you do you. Natural selection and all that.

How will you know if it's needed? Newborns are checked for various signs and symptoms that an untrained eye wouldn't be able to identify.

How do you know you or the baby won’t be ill, it’s vary naive of you, especially considering it’s the 3rd!

Hi OP… as a professional I would suggest 4 things that are very important postnatally. I won’t debate it with you because there is no point, but the basic things I would suggest as a bare minimum are:

1. someone to help you manage the 3rd stage - this is intrapartum care but I’m not sure if you’re planning an unattended birth so - someone to manage 3rd stage with you & check placenta & membranes are intact. This has the potential to save your life.
2. Someone to check and see if you need stitches. Not nice to need a refashioning procedure from a badly healed tear. This has the potential to impact continence, sexual function & satisfaction.
3. newborn check - mainly for cardiac defects. This has the potential to save your baby’s life.
4. blood spot on day 5 to check baby for metabolic diseases. This has the potential to save your baby’s life.

Wishing you a safe birth.

You could say that about your children at any age tho?