Those who had NB at the hospital...

MsCat19 · April 2012

Did you sign the epidural forms even though you were planning a natural birth? I keep reading about people signing them as soon as they get to the hospital, and I'm pretty sure it's standard to get that form signed "just in case." What did you do and how was it received by the staff?

A-Team 9/29 · April 2012

I was never asked to sign a form. TBH, I didn't even know there was such a form. However, had I been asked, I'm pretty sure I would have declined and reminded them of my birth plan. Do you know if it's your hospital's policy to present the form upon admission?

ETA: Sorry, thinking back, there were a few forms I signed upon admission...maybe it was mixed in there.

erb82 · April 2012

I didn't, but we were pre-registered so I didn't have to fill out any forms at all when I got to the hospital. Maybe it's different if you're actually checking in and doing all the paperwork when you first get there in labor. We told the nurses while I was in triage that we were planning on an un-medicated birth and they didn't bring up an epidural or forms at any point.

august8080 · April 2012

I don't remember any specific epidural form, so no. I would have declined to sign it though, if they'd had one. What exactly does an "epidural form" say?

hilwithonelary · April 2012

I didn't sign anything (wasn't asked to), but I did answer some questions for the anesthesiologist shortly after I arrived. She asked some stuff like medication allergies, height, weight, last time I ate, etc. Even though I didn't plan on an epidural, I figured they would need to know that information in an emergency situaton.

MitoRachel · April 2012

I was preregistered but an anesthesiologist still came in once I was in my room. She said that even though I was planning a natural birth the hospital policy was to have my pain medication options explained to me. After that I pretty much tuned her out (I was somewhere between 7 and 9cm at that point) until she asked me if I wanted to sign the epidural consent form "just in case". I looked at my husband who shook his head no, I said no and she said she'd get out of my hair. It really wasn't a big deal to say no but in the moment if my husband hadn't known what I wanted and indicated that I should not sign it I might have signed it just because I wasn't really thinking about it at all. It was a comfort a little later when I was saying I couldn't do it anymore (I'm not even sure if I knew what 'it' was at the moment) that no one could give me any meds thinking that my whining was a plea for medication.

StefandTodd · April 2012

We were pre-registered and still had to sign a SHITTON of forms.

But I was never asked to sign an epidural form, or asked if I wanted an epidural...no one even said the word epidural to me. They knew my intentions and were super respectful of my birth plan (which next time will include not making me sign so damn much paperwork while in transition!! Mother...).

Tash13 · April 2012

I signed a few papers when pre-registering, don't remember if it included an epidural form, but nothing when I checked-in. I also never spoke to (or saw) an anesthesiologist. The nurse asked me a couple of questions when I was getting into my hospital gown and she was checking my vitals. Other than that, everything was dealt with beforehand.

nosoup4u · April 2012

I did during my first labor. I was at the hospital in early labor, and someone came in and had me sign the consent. The second time, I showed up pushing, so it was a wee bit too late for one anyway.

If you show up really far along, you might not need to sign one. Nothing happens by signing it, and your partner and you can be very clear about not being asked if you want an epidural.

jcsumm0 · April 2012

My nurse asked me to sign it, "just in case." I refused. She explained that I would have to sign it later while in labor if I changed my mind. I was fine with that. I wanted there to be as many barriers as possible if I decided to ask for the epidural. Overall it was NBD and the only time anyone even mentioned pain relief to me.

ETA: I was induced, so she asked me to sign it the night before my induction when I checked into the hospital.

kaeti_su · April 2012

The nurse getting me checked in asked if I wanted an epidural, I told her I'd let them know if I wanted one, she asked if I wanted to go ahead and sign the consent form just in case, and I said no thanks. That was it. No big deal.

Aurora_Borealis · April 2012

Nope. I showed up to the hospital fully dilated and pushing, so there was no need.

KansasGoa · April 2012

I didn't know there was such a form. I know I didn't sign it. We were pre-registered, so I didn't sign any forms when I arrived. They asked if I wanted any pain medication when I was in triage and I said no. They never asked again. Sorry I'm not more helpful!

luvmyducks · April 2012

We were pre-registered. There were a couple forms I had to initial/sign when we got there, but I don't remember what they were for. They told me and I had DH read them bc I couldn't concentrate. I know they weren't for an epi or any kind of intervention though.

whitney1170 · April 2012

It was required at my hospital because they don't want you to be in full throws of labor screaming for it and having to sign something in that condition, then wait for the epi to arrive.

They came to me and said "we know you don't want it, but a signature is required" and nothing else was said about it the rest of the day. They even removed the set up from my room to make room for everything else once they realized I really wasn't going to cave.

But my hospital staff was freakin awesome, I doubt this is always the case.

MrsCaddyshack · April 2012

I didn't sign the form, and I refused the blood work for the epidural. I told my OB that I thought having an obstacle would make me less likely to consider it (which is funny, because I never thought about logistics like that while in labor, I was too busy working through the contractions.)

ateal2490 · April 2012

As absolutely horrible as this sounds, I really have no idea. They shoved a sh*tload of paper in my face when I was having intense contractions so my John Hancock went wherever it was told.

FyreFlyeRush · April 2012

Aurora_Borealis:
Nope. I showed up to the hospital fully dilated and pushing, so there was no need.

This. The only form I had to sign was the HIV test consent form. I kind of just scribbled something across the page while the OB yelled at the tech to GTH out of the way and let us (me and her) deliver this baby, lol.

xnbride · April 2012

no. that was not standard at either hospital I have given birth at.

maddiemoon43 · April 2012

I signed the consent/weight info/etc. when I completed the pre-admission forms. They were part of the standard hospital package, but when the time came, I didn't have to sign anything upon checking in and I was only with my MWs and no hospital staff the whole time. I suppose I could have not mailed that form back, but I figured it may as well be on file.

jjhp2018 · April 2012

*lurking*

With my first (6 1/2 yrs ago) there wasn't an epi form but they did require you watch a video prior to birth if you were to get one. I planned on no meds so I didn't take the epi class and when I came in the nurse was annoyed I hadn't watched the video and said "well I guess you will just have to watch it during labor" - assuming I was getting it. Little did she know I was already 7cm and DD came in 3 hours.

My 2nd was an induction due to GD and hypertension issues (diff hospital). I signed so much paperwork with them when I got there I couldn't tell you what all was in there!

LaurelBee · April 2012

I pre registeted and I honestly don't remember signing anything when I got there. I do remember my nurse asking a bunch of questions, but once I told her I didn't want pain meds, that was the end of it. (Except when I got to 10cm and I told her I was thinking about getting an epi and she told me it was too late and reminded me that I really didn't want one!)

lily225 · April 2012

I was never asked to fill out an epi. form upon arrival. The closest thing to it that came up was whether I could/should take my bra off. Leaving it on is a no-no during an epi. because it's supposed to be a sterile area back there. This was my third birth but had to be induced. I was still hoping/planning on another NB so I said no epi. and i was keeping my bra on. When I decided to get the epi later on, they just took my bra off and it was left hanging around my IV tube on the floor. Not a big deal.

emberlee3 · April 2012

Yes, the anesthesiologist came to talk to me, and I signed the form.

Actually, it came in handy because I got a really bad tear and needed spinal anesthesia for the repair. The consent I had signed covered that.

mm614 · April 2012

I was never asked to sign a form. As soon as I got in the LDR, the nurse asked me if I wanted to go natural or have an epidural. I said natural and that was the last anyone asked about that

If you've got your mind set not to have an epidural, I wouldn't sign the form. In the event that you think you want an epidural during labor, signing the form at that point may help you solidify your choice either way.

L0L0 · April 2012

I just signed everything put in front of me. It's kind of laughable how much paperwork they want you to get through while you are already in labor. I am an attorney and I constantly warn my clients not to sign papers they don't understand, but I didn't follow my own advice. However, no one at the hospital pushed an epidural at all. They knew that I was planning a natural birth because the midwives that I delivered with do almost all natural births. I never saw an anesthesiologist and no one offered any kind of pain meds (good thing, because early on I very well may have said yes!)

alice2Bcheshire · April 2012

erb82:
I didn't, but we were pre-registered so I didn't have to fill out any forms at all when I got to the hospital. Maybe it's different if you're actually checking in and doing all the paperwork when you first get there in labor. We told the nurses while I was in triage that we were planning on an un-medicated birth and they didn't bring up an epidural or forms at any point.

This.

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