Want to put a sign on a birthing room door stating a natural childbirth is wanted. Any suggestions?

Question

A friend of mine wants me to help her make a sign to put on her birthing room door stating to the staff she wants a natural birth and to not offer her drugs every 5 minutes. She's had two previous births drug free and became annoyed at being asked over and over. We need suggestions for a short and simple phrase to be put on the sign. We want to use pretty die cut letters and are going to have someone draw an angel in the center of the page. What would sound not too harsh or rude, but would get the point across? Remember, it must be pretty short.

Answer 1

"NO DRUGS"

Answer 2

I don't think a sign is necessary or would be appreciated by the hospital staff. Nurses and doctors are all busy people and it is unlikely they'll stop to read a sign regardless of how simple and nice looking it is. It is far more effective to state her request with her doctor, her primary nurse, and repeat the request during shift change. Additionally, she should have at least one support person who can be her spokesperson to the staff if she becomes agitated with the staff for any reason. I had 4 babies, all drug-free, in the hospital. No sign needed. All the staff was very conscientious and never mentioned drugs since they knew I was going natural child-birth because I communicated that desire with them at my admission. A woman in labor tends to get a little emotional and is very easily annoyed. It may have seemed like someone was asking her every 5 minutes if she wanted drugs, but truthfully, it is unlikely she'd even have staff in the room with her that often unless she was having complications. Be respectful of the professionalism of the staff in the labor and delivery department. They deal with a multitude of personal requests many times a day and are used to respecting the wishes of the patient. My oldest daughter had a baby 3 months ago. She wanted and prepared for a natural, drug-free birth. However, unexpected things do happen. Her water broke at home, her labor stalled and the baby was turned sideways. She reluctantly accepted an epidural and even more reluctantly accepted a c-section when she was still only 8 cm 24 hours after her water broke. She was exhausted, the baby's heart rate became elevated and she developed a fever. Her doctor, whom she trusts completely, and her nurses all did what they could to help the baby come naturally, but it became dangerous for both my daughter and my grandson. Both, thankfully, are fine now. In the end, what mattered most was not if she went through labor drug-free, but what was best for both her and the baby.

Answer 3

How about Natural Birth
Or Natural birth in process
Or Do Not Disturb
Or Drug Free Birth

Answer 4

Why not a home birth with a mid-wife if so adamant.

Any of the suggested signs are good though.

My wife wanted the natural birth - was on the birth plan (ha) but after 24 hours, tried gas, 36 hours had pethadone, and when they had to rush for an emergency c-section after 40 odd hours had to have the Epidural. Though I found the staff good - and didn't hassle us at all, left everything up to us. But each hospital will be different.

Answer 5

What a great idea! So often, the nursing staff feels compelled to keep asking...and asking...and asking, even when they know the mother wants a natural delivery. The drugs make *their* jobs easier, I suppose.

Hmm, how about something like "NATURAL BIRTH IN PROGRESS" in capital letters, and in slightly smaller text underneath - "Please, no offers of medication." That should get the point across loud and clear without being rude.

Does your friend have a written birth plan to take with her to the hospital? Having a copy to share with the nursing staff that tells them - in writing - that she will ASK for drugs if she decides that she needs them - may be helpful as well.

Best of luck to her!!

Answer 6

I think you want something nicely decorated, as you're already going for, that's along the lines of:

shh!
NATURAL BIRTH IN PROGRESS
(in smaller text) Mom, natural birth veteran, says: "Please don't offer me drugs. Thanks!"

The "nicely decorated" should do a lot to offset any rudeness that might be perceived. You know, it's like you wanted to have a cute sign, and the request is secondary -- but I think it would still be attention-getting enough to work.

Answer 7

I feel ya, for my last 2 births they were natural and i was so annoyed that the nurses and even the doctor were trying to discourage me from it.
I think you should just simply put "drug free birth" i think that will get the nurses attention seeing as how a lot of people wouldn't do that.
i think its a great idea!

Answer 8

How about something funny like

"I Say No to Drugs" and maybe have a picture of McGruff
or maybe
"M.A.D.D, Mother Against Drugged Delivery"
or something silly like
"If you offer me drugs, Im calling the cops!"
or
"Would you offer a dieter chocolate? Than don't offer me drugs!"

Answer 9

"Natural Birth In Progress - Please don't tempt me with pain meds. I can do it!"

I have on my birth plan that I am giving the staff the following "I am attempting a natural childbirth. Please do not offer me any pain medication. I will not be shy about asking for whatever I need."

Answer 10

hah i doubt they will even pay the sign any mind since they will be so busy with other things, but i feel for your friend. i am dreading labor and delivery bc i know how ANNOYING they are with the offering up the pain meds crap, hell i dont want it at all and will tell them nicely the first time but if they persist i will just have to get evil on them lol

Answer 11

just a simple "drug free birth, please don't ask" should suffice. Have her tell the nuse to put it right on the front of her chart too, so they will see it first thing.