Intro

kat9er

I've been lurking for a long time now, and all your posts and replies have been so helpful! Thank you all for sharing so openly & kindly!

I'm pregnant with my first and have been under the care of an OB who seemed supportive of natural birth. We started talking details at my 26 week appointment, and she had a a big issue with my desire not to have an IV unless it's needed. She told me that with "every pregnant woman that enters any health system one of the first things that happens is that she gets an IV. This is non-negotiable." She told me that if I didn't want an IV that I should have a home birth which I don't want. She never even mentioned the idea of a hep lock and I didn't either because after she used the word "non-negotiable", I wasn't really interested in continuing that conversation. I realized afterward that I'm more concerned about being pressured by hospital staff than actually giving birth!!!

So, I have an appointment next week with a certified nurse midwife who works with a local hospital. She recommends a hep lock which is a reasonable compromise in my opinion. After talking to her on the phone, she seems wonderful! What questions should I ask her at my appointment? My plan is a med-free, intervention-free birth unless medically necessary which is why I want a care provider who is supportive of natural birth, but I want to be in a hospital. My midwife said that she believes every woman has a right to give birth the way that she wants so her job is to do everything she can to make that possible. If a woman wants an epidural, give her one. If she doesn't, no one should offer it to her.  

Your posts helped me know that I DO have other options! Thank you!

 

PansyPants

Good luck with your appointment!

sschwege

That OB is sending up huge red flags!  I'm glad you are looking elsewhere. 

First of all as a patient of this 'health care system' you have a right to refuse any and all treatments and procedures, provided you are of sound mind to make that decision.  So nothing is a non-negotiable!   Secondly I gave birth in a fairly large hospital, and they never so much as even mentioned an IV/Saline Lock to me.  I never needed one.  Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with Saline locks, and if they wanted to me to have one I would have agreed, but they didn't see it as necessary.  

I hope your meeting goes well with your CNM, I think you are going in the right direction.  Welcome to the board  

Celyn

Hi and welcome.  Good luck with your appt!