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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

DO I HAVE TO SEE A MIDWIFE LEGALLY?

164 replies

JL1 · 08/12/2008 17:01

I am 9 weeks pregnant and do not wish to see a lecturing midwife. Do I have the right to refuse treatment until the birth? If not, why?

OP posts:
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StarlightWonderStarlightBright · 08/12/2008 17:53

Thank you.

Can I ask. Is it an overwhelming need for taking control of the whole pregnancy and birthing process, that is leading you down this road?

Because if it is, I have been there (and a fair few of MNers have been too), and can point you in the direction of lots of support and information that will ensure YOU are in charge whilst making the most of the most recent medical tools and support.

thexmasstockingmonsterofdoom · 08/12/2008 17:53

Also if you have issues which have put you off the midwifery service there is a councilling service available.
There are people here who have had very straighforward pregnancies and births and then had one go wrong. it happens, would you know what to do in an emergency.
Of course your decisions must be respected but what I think people are trying to fio d out is your rationele behind them.

ihavenewsockson · 08/12/2008 18:01

you can refuse treatment. but you have nobody to blame but yourself if it goes wrong.

ClausImWorthIt · 08/12/2008 18:10

What is you are doing that you are worried being lectured about?

Not really sure why you're bothering posting, to be honest, as you obviously already know everything there is to know!

Unless it's just to wind up some very caring, considerate people.

mummydoc · 08/12/2008 18:10

have you htought about a private obstertrician - i have had nothing but rubbish and in some cases frankly dangerous advice and treatment form midwifes, as i said i would never ever go near another one. BUT to have no care at all is a little foolhardy, you really do not have to have any scans or blood tests etc if you are happy to live with whatever consequences htere are, but blood pressure monitoring is simple but vital - how would oyur husband feel if you died from undiagnosed pre- eclampsia and left him and your other children ?

Piffle · 08/12/2008 18:19

my first two births were minimal intervention during antenatal period. Births so quick and easy I could not believe it.
So for 3rd I chose local care and homebirth
Failure to progress meant hospital transfer.
Thank heeavens as ds2 had knot in his cord and around his neck so without an experienced midwife my son would have struggled to be born alive.
Two former easy births are no marker of the 3rd.
you have the right to refuse tests and intervention.
I turned down many and had drug free births.
You can get what you want within the nhs

Zorra · 08/12/2008 18:20

Quote JL1

my wife wants a natural birth with no stress and no medicines that could prove less risky with some business claims of how much risk factor. who remembers the drug thalidemide?

Um, so are you pregnant, or your wife??

JL1 · 08/12/2008 18:22

ZORRA-um, less of the sarcasm. I, the woman, is posting. My husband is with me and wanted to have his say also.

OP posts:
storkycake · 08/12/2008 18:22

I think a good compromise would be to register with the community m/w, have the booking in appointment and say you're undecided about where to birth etc.

Hire a doula to provide you with support throughout the pg, as well as your family of course and s/he could accompany you to any AN appts, helping you deal with any 'bossiness'.

The scans etc are there if you wish to have them, at least you'd be in the system should you change your mind. Alternatively, if you can afford it, you could hire an independent m/w.

At any point during your AN care you can refuse individual aspects, as is your right.
I have personally chosen not to have any testing apart from urine & bp. They're non-invasive and anything which arises from these tests has to have my consent to progress further such as GTT etc.

I have a doula for AN care too, but not for the birth.
The m/w's will attend a HWB but will stay in the background and allow my Dh and I to birth the child together.
They do a quick check at my request to see if I'm in established labour and to listen to the babies h/b, then they don't bother me again, but quietly observe my behaviour for signs to prepare for the crowning.

I wouldn't want to free-birth, this is as close as I get.

It's been the same for 2 previous HWB's and it's the same team of m/w's for this one in 9 weeks or so.
They know the drill and that I am extremely unwilling to transfer to hospital.
However, if at anytime my life or my child's is at risk they would explain the how's and why's.
How would I know if something wasn't right?

Incidentally, my m/w for the last 2 pg's at AN clinic wasn't the most amiable person and I did actually consider writing on my birth plan that she was not to attend the births, but she was on holiday each time.

Social services would only be involved AN if you were at risk of violence, drugs/alcohol abuse etc. Even then, someone would have to alert them.

I second the recommendation that you consider an infant resuss course, just in case.

ClausImWorthIt · 08/12/2008 18:23

Sarcasm? I think it was just a question, JL1.

Lulumama · 08/12/2008 18:23

JL1, would you mind answering the questions re how you would feel if something went wrong and the baby was compromised.

and why you do not want to find a middle ground?

am genuinely interested, but wondering why uou are getting lots of responses, and not really answering them or giving any more info

StarlightWonderStarlightBright · 08/12/2008 18:25

Can I ask. Is it an overwhelming need for taking control of the whole pregnancy and birthing process, that is leading you down this road?

_

JL1 I WANT to take you seriously but your posting is really in the style of a troll.

Please can you answer some of the questions asked OR say thanks for the legal clarification and be off. It isn't fair to string people along.

JollyPirate · 08/12/2008 18:26

mummydoc - private obstericians can be hugely expensive. Just because you met crap midwives does not mean ALL are crap - like every other job there are good and bad.
There are midwives I'd never let near me and some obstetricians too. Private or not their advice is out of date.

Personally I'd be happier picking my own midwife or obstetrician because there are excellent of both out there - don't assume that just because it says "private" and you pay for it that they will give up to date advice and brilliant care though - midwife OR obstetrician.

JL1 · 08/12/2008 18:28

Why should I answer your questions. It was me who wanted a question answered and it has been, so thank you all.

OP posts:
ClausImWorthIt · 08/12/2008 18:29

Bye.

storkycake · 08/12/2008 18:29

good luck with the rest of the pregnancy

foxytocin · 08/12/2008 18:30

see, i still think this OP is being less than honest with us, potentially taking advantage of a lot of our good will,. so i am bowing out of this one. i smell ulterior motive.

JollyPirate · 08/12/2008 18:30

Sorry - but am now thinking TROLL!

Inflammatory post - check
First post - check
Reluctance to answer questions or elaborate - check

We've been had.

StarlightWonderStarlightBright · 08/12/2008 18:30
JollyPirate · 08/12/2008 18:31

Yep - about to hide thread too.

foxytocin · 08/12/2008 18:31

aha. one fingered typing / nakking at keboard so OP got there first.

StarlightWonderStarlightBright · 08/12/2008 18:31

Just popping back to say I appreciated your post Storky even if OP doesn't!

ilovemydog · 08/12/2008 18:33

Think if I didn't want any intervention or tests, I would at least want the 20 week scan where most things can be picked up...

JollyPirate · 08/12/2008 18:34

The OP wasn't interested in anyone's responses - just wanted clarification that it was fine to compromise the health of herself and unborn child legally - it is. End of story.

Storky's post was excellenct but the OP wasn't really reading any replies - just the odd lazy arsed "I don't like being dictated to" and "I'm not going to answer your questions"

storkycake · 08/12/2008 18:34

Well, just in case someone else wants to know the legal stuff the thread will be available through the search facility for them.
If you are a troll, then you have brought up a subject which for obvious reasons doesn't get discussed that much and really, it's a poor attempt at trolling tbh.