Can I say no to this?

ChristyML · September 2012

In my OB practice, there are 4 doctors that deliver. Mine will drop everything and come deliver my baby if it's between 8 and 5. Other than that, it's the on call doctor.

There is one doctor, who I have heard, will usually use forceps to help deliver the baby. Like she won't not use them...I really don't want forceps used, so if she is the one delivering my baby, do I have a right to say no to her? I know I have the right to say no, but does she legally have to listen to me?

Lovemyflightmedic18 · September 2012

Yes you can say no. I think I would let the nursing staff know when you go in.

melissascarfone · September 2012

I (think) but make sure to get confirmation in your state etc...You can certainly REQUEST STRONGLY to NOT USE FORCEPS including stating in your birth plan--> I know in my maternity class they said if absolutely necessary request vacuum thing instead as it's less abrasive/aggressive. The birth plan really is just a request sheet for you the patient...dr's job is to get your baby out safely, efficiently, for both mom and baby and if it means forceps in a severe circumstance so be it? Talk to your dr on that day. Its YOUR body.

[Deleted User] · September 2012

Are you seriously asking if you have a RIGHT to say no to a doctor? ....Yes, you CAN say no. They can't MAKE you do anything, but they will inform you of the possible "consequences"of turning down any given procedure.

Please do some research on being your own advocate.

Sharon&Paul · September 2012

You can say no to her, but realize you will get the hospital covering OB. This would be someone you don't know.

Sharon&Paul · September 2012

Sharon&Paul:
You can say no to her, but realize you will get the hospital covering OB. This would be someone you don't know.

I thought you were asking to say no to the doctor delivering. It looks like you want to say no to the foreceps. Yes, that sounds reasonable. it is not common practice to use foreceps now a days

ChristyML · September 2012

Sharon&Paul:
Sharon&Paul:
You can say no to her, but realize you will get the hospital covering OB. This would be someone you don't know.
I thought you were asking to say no to the doctor delivering. It looks like you want to say no to the foreceps. Yes, that sounds reasonable. it is not common practice to use foreceps now a days

Yeah, I'm against the forceps. Sorry for not being more clear!

mben1119 · September 2012

You can state that you dont want them used unless medically indicatedbecause if youre LO does need out in a hurry youll want them on hand

xraychick07 · September 2012

You can say NO to whatever you want to when it comes to medicine. It's your body!

ChristyML · September 2012

xraychick07:
You can say NO to whatever you want to when it comes to medicine. It's your body!

I am starting to feel a little dumb for asking the question haha. I think I'm just a little worried that I won't be listened to...=(

hailyf · September 2012

ChristyML:
xraychick07:
You can say NO to whatever you want to when it comes to medicine. It's your body!
I am starting to feel a little dumb for asking the question haha. I think I'm just a little worried that I won't be listened to...=(

If she doesn't listen to you, it is called Battery, and it is a criminal offense. She can't do anything to you without your permission, and by law, is required to keep you under her care until she finds someone who does agree to respect your demands. Granted, there is definitely a time and a place for forceps, but the idea of them being routine is ridiculous and outdated.

nanabanana06 · September 2012

I have it written in my birth plan to not use forceps or vacuum unless it's medically necessary. Same with an episiotomy. I'm giving my birth plan to everyone when we go. Just to cover our bases.

RissKay · September 2012

MrsNorry:
Are you seriously asking if you have a RIGHT to say no to a doctor? ....Yes, you CAN say no. They can't MAKE you do anything, but they will inform you of the possible "consequences"of turning down any given procedure.
Please do some research on being your own advocate.

I will say, a LOT of doctors talk about stuff as though it's set in stone that this is what they'll do. Some people are stunned, like I had been, at their matter-of-factness, and just don't know that you CAN say no to a health care professional. I had been warned about hospital policies, and had to research heavily to find that just because they are policy doesn't mean I have to abide by them.

Yes, you CAN say no. Make sure the nurses know where you stand, and that your DH or whoever is with you knows that they might need to step in and advocate for you as well. Good luck!

nanabanana06 · September 2012

RissKay:
MrsNorry:
Are you seriously asking if you have a RIGHT to say no to a doctor? ....Yes, you CAN say no. They can't MAKE you do anything, but they will inform you of the possible "consequences"of turning down any given procedure.
Please do some research on being your own advocate.
I will say, a LOT of doctors talk about stuff as though it's set in stone that this is what they'll do. Some people are stunned, like I had been, at their matter-of-factness, and just don't know that you CAN say no to a health care professional. I had been warned about hospital policies, and had to research heavily to find that just because they are policy doesn't mean I have to abide by them.
Yes, you CAN say no. Make sure the nurses know where you stand, and that your DH or whoever is with you knows that they might need to step in and advocate for you as well. Good luck!

The reasons stated above are the exact reason (and for pain management) why I hired a Doula. This way if I or DH are too out of it or swept up into the chaos of it all we will still have someone to be our advocate and help try to follow our desired birth plan. You may want to tell your support people (DH, Mom, MIL, Whatever) to help be your secondary advocate.

roxyttandme · September 2012

You can say no to anything in life. It is one of the wonders of our great country. You can even demand that she doesn't use them. In fact, you can probably get a different Dr. just by asking....

BakerMommy · September 2012

"I do not consent" are your magic words. If you say them, she cannot legally proceed. As PP said, make sure your support people are on the same page as well.

That OB sounds nuts!

littlemac1117 · September 2012

You can refuse anything you want to. Nobody is allowed to touch you without your consent. I would make it very clear and have your husband also make it very clear that you do NOT consent to a forceps delivery.

On a side note, that is super weird that she uses forceps so often. They are not used as commonly as they once were, at least not at the hospital I am at.

alisoncampbelldds · September 2012

BakerMommy:
"I do not consent" are your magic words. If you say them, she cannot legally proceed. As PP said, make sure your support people are on the same page as well. That OB sounds nuts!

I agree with this comment. "I do not consent" is your best chance for the doctor to hold off on the use of forceps.

You can always see what days your dr is on call and schedule an induction in case you go past your due date. (They'll often do it in the 39th week too, although I'm a fan of letting the babes grow as much as possible before taking this step. I went a week late with my first 2 kids despite being WELL dilated and effaced so they induced me and everything went very smoothly. By 41 weeks I was ready for the action!!)

Best of luck!!

funsies · September 2012

If you're worried she really won't listen to you make sure you cross out permission to use forceps when you sign your consent forms. You can alter your consent forms any way you see fit. A birth plan is not a legal document but a consent form is. If for some reason it becomes necessary to use forceps at time of delivery you can always give verbal consent and/or sign another form.

Chocodoxies · September 2012

My brother is deaf in his left ear from a forceps delivery. Absolutely say no!

WaitingOnTwoPinkLines · September 2012

It is YOUR medical care. You absolutely have the right to refuse (& that is true of any procedure, period). & honestly, she'd get kicked in the face if she tried to forcep my baby without medical need. Seriously, the cops would be arresting me for assault because there is NO WAY IN H3LL she'd be using forceps without a justifiable reason. Eff that.

WaitingOnTwoPinkLines · September 2012

melissascarfone:
I (think) but make sure to get confirmation in your state etc...You can certainly REQUEST STRONGLY to NOT USE FORCEPS including stating in your birth plan--> I know in my maternity class they said if absolutely necessary request vacuum thing instead as it's less abrasive/aggressive. The birth plan really is just a request sheet for you the patient...dr's job is to get your baby out safely, efficiently, for both mom and baby and if it means forceps in a severe circumstance so be it? Talk to your dr on that day. Its YOUR body.

There is no "request" here. If she says no, that's it. NO MEANS NO. Period. End of story, no discussion. Her body, her baby, her decision.

littlemac1117 · September 2012

WaitingOnTwoPinkLines:
melissascarfone:
I (think) but make sure to get confirmation in your state etc...You can certainly REQUEST STRONGLY to NOT USE FORCEPS including stating in your birth plan--> I know in my maternity class they said if absolutely necessary request vacuum thing instead as it's less abrasive/aggressive. The birth plan really is just a request sheet for you the patient...dr's job is to get your baby out safely, efficiently, for both mom and baby and if it means forceps in a severe circumstance so be it? Talk to your dr on that day. Its YOUR body.
There is no "request" here. If she says no, that's it. NO MEANS NO. Period. End of story, no discussion. Her body, her baby, her decision.

Yes Seriously dude. There is no way I would be "requesting" that someone not insert a medical instrument into my body if I don't want it. Especially if the reason is just that this OB "always uses them". Eff that.

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