Rights &choices in pregnancy &labour

[SweetSunflowerBoo]

So recently I've been coming across loads of posts about "your rights" and "choices" to make during pregnancy and labour.
I don't want to get too sucked into it all as just want what's best for my baby -

But has anyone got any words of advice about rights and choices?

Has your midwife/ labour and delivery nurse/ healthcare person ect ect said anything- and you disagreed or refused?

For example-
Like - I've just read about cervix checks during pregnancy- I can say no! I don't have to have them.
And not just because i "don't want to" have it- it could cause infection and it's not necessary and stuff like that

• I can say no to an IV during labour unless it's necessary ect

Or That I don't have to be induced unless there is a problem- baby will come when he wants to come?? Or Doing things a certain way? "Am I allowed to do that?" "Am I allowed to say no??"

How do I find out about all this stuff without being lead astray with opinions rather than facts?
I just don't want to be pushed into anything- but obviously if it's going to affect my baby then I will have it

I get this might not make sense- it was hard trying to word what I mean

I've personally disagreed with loads of things in the course of my two pregnancies. I've said no during labour to forcepts, drugs, induction at 42+ weeks, certain testing, sweeps, examinations, fetal monitoring, all sorts, birth location. It really is up to you. I did this all knowing that I'd researched fully to a point where I knew better than the people advising me so I was fully confident in all of my choices. I think that was the main thing, research and knowledge. Then you can be empowered to choose the best thing for your situation

I said no to induction but ended up with an emcs anyway for failure to progress firstvtime and put no forceps both times

Wasn’t bothered about the continuous monitoring during my VBAC. In fact I quite liked being able to glance at the screen and see she was alright.
As pp said you need to do your research and decide what you want to try and avoid and what you would want to happen instead

I can remember when I did my NCT first time around they talked about BRAIN decision making (and then it totally went out the window as I got a massive curve ball that we hadn't really covered) but I'll be sticking with it during this labour which looks like it could be more complicated again. I think there's scope for it to be used in a 'woo' way but also as an evidence-based decision making tool. I found 'they' didn't give you the full range of options and discussion points if you didn't ask, which is poor when I'd have probably still gone with their medical advice, but there you go. The link below is one of many that discusses BRAIN but obviously you might have to discuss with DP as he is more likely to have a clear head when you're in the thick of it. A good starting place, anyway.

www.mybirthandbaby.co.uk/resources/making-decisions-informed-choice-risk/