Hospital stay and what i can do.?

Question

Do i have a say so when it comes to being in labor at the hospital?? For example do i have to have an IV and do i have to have an episiotomy (If its not needed) I just want to know what things i do have control over.And if i have some control how do i tell my nurses and doctor without sounding controlling..I fully understand that if something went wrong or if they have concerns its all their decision thats fine but if everything is normal, i would like to be involved.

Answer 1

You can complete a very detailed birth plan. Here's the website to do it. Make sure you give this to you OB in an upcoming appointment, before you go into labor, and then also include a copy with your bag of things to bring to the hospital to ensure that everything will go (hopefully) the way you plan!

Congrats!

Answer 2

YES, you have control over whether you have an IV or an episiotomy. In fact you have total control over EVERYTHING that takes place when you labor and give birth. And you are entitled to informed consent: ask to see your hospital's printed version. If they act like they don't know what you mean, run!
You can let your doctor know what you want, not what he routinely DOES. Then you can type up a sample Birth Wish List, have your dr. approve it, sign it, and take several copies with you to the birth. Don't make it too detailed or the nurses will never read it. DO list the things that are most important to you ie the IV versus a heplock and not having an episiotomy. Research has found that a tear is better for you and heals more quickly than an episiotomy.
Wish I lived close to you, I would help you with the birth wish list.
Birth blessings.

PS You might want to take a GOOD childbirth class, something other than one at the hopsital that tells you what THEY are going to DO. And you might consider finding a birth doula who can help you with your questions one-on-one.

PSS: IT IS NEVER EVER too late to switch drs. After all, they switch on YOU if they're not on call.

Answer 3

You need to write up a birth plan to review with your doctor. It also helps to go on the hospital tour and then base the plan on their practices. An episiotomy, for instance, is a choice of the doctors, while when you have an IV or Heplock is likely a hospital policy and involves the nurses.

My hospital actually asks that you do a birth plan. It helps everybody be on the same page. A hospital that assumes a birth plan is from someone who is controlling says something about the care (paternalistic) which may not be compatible with your needs.

In my case, I would be having a repeat C and my concerns are more about treatment of the baby rather than my own. For instance, baby is to remain with me in recovery and then can go to nursery for the required 3-4 hours observation. I don't care what their policy is. Ointment, shots, whatever, can wait. A medical emergency would obviously be an exception.

Oh, and always have extra copies of your birth plan. Give one to the OB, the nurse at the hospital, one for the nursery nurses that just has the baby info.

Answer 4

The IV is just about an always with Dr.'s in the hospital. An episiotomy is not unless you need it at your dr.'s disgression. Usually they will let you tear a little bit and need only 1-3- stitches or so but if they see that you are going to tear allot then they will usually do an episiotomy.

If you are wanting to have nothing done and to just labor and deliver in the hospital then check into a certafied nurse/midwife to have as your OBGYN. I would not suggest going to one that works outside the hospital I have had too many friends and sisters have too many major problems that they weren't set up for in their own private offices, but they do have ones that work out of the hospital and they have the whole staff on hand if they need it.

With my third child I went to one that practiced in the hospital. She in turn worked hand in hand with an OBGYN and she took care of everything until I had to have an emergency c-section due to my little girls heart rate dropping and not coming back up. (She was also early) But my midwife was very very good!!! And we had all the equipment and staff of the hospital which if we hadn't of had my baby would not have made it!

Answer 5

Well, you have control over everything, and know your body better than anyone. But an IV helps give back the fluids that you loose in the labor process and keeps you hydrated, they also give pitocin to help speed the process, but they usually tell you what they are doing as it's happening, if you don't want any drugs just say no. But don't forget that if something goes wrong the IV is there to make it easier on the nurse and doctors. Talk to your doc ahead of time, you'll both feel better knowing the plan before it's in action. Giving birth is a bumpy ride and a birth plan would smooth it a bit and help relieve the tension.

Answer 6

You should go over these things with your OB before you even go into labor. I trusted my OB 100%. I had an IV and an episiotomy (because I really did need it and I don't want to even think what it would have been like without one). Yes, you are the boss. Tell the nurses what you need, etc. Enjoy every moment as much as you can and yes, you did forget about the pain.

Answer 7

Talk to your OB BEFORE you go into labor. Each doctor has his/her own way of doing things, so ask your OB if he/she performs routine episiotomys or only if needed. Most likely, you will have the IV placed in case an emergency situation arises and you need IV meds FAST. But, again, check with your doc. Get all your questions answered before you go into labor so you know what to expect. Your OB is the one who will write orders telling the nurses what to do, so it is best to discuss with your OB now what you do and don't want done once you are in the hospital. It is your body, so you do have a say in your treatment.

Answer 8

Ultimately you have control over *everything.* It is your body. You have a right to refuse anything that you don't want. A hospital cannot "kick out" a patient until they are considered stabilized, and when a woman is in labor, she is not considered stabilized until she has the baby. Therefore, they have to treat you whether you give in to their policies or not. That being said, it won't be a very pleasant experience with your doctors and nurses if you try to refuse all of their routine things. They tend to be pretty controlling themselves (esp. the nurses), from the experience of my 5 sisters. You would want to discuss everything that you do/do not want with your doctor ahead of time, and also create a birth plan detailing what your wishes are. It would be best for you to find a doctor who is supportive of your desires, so talk to the doctor asap. Good luck.

Answer 9

All of this depends on your doctor. You need to make an appointment to have a frank discussion about your concerns and what you would like to see happen at the hospital and what he does. If you don't like his answers and you are early on in your pregnancy, then you can switch, if not, you are pretty stuck because no new doctor will take you on after a certain point in your pregnancy.
Open discussion and honesty! Don't let them intimidate you either. If they say you must have this or that...tell them you want to know why and then YOU make the decision.

Answer 10

You need to come up with a birth plan before hand and discuss it with your doctor. The IV you will probably need to keep you hydrated. The episiotomy the doctor should only do if he's afraid you will tear.