The leagal rights of Child bearing women........

http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10084&ClickedLink=0&area=27

Unfortunately a lot of physicians and hospitals don't uphold these, like #17, but it is a legal right........

Re: The leagal rights of Child bearing women........

I have to say....I don't understand #17 all that well...

If a doctor is doing his job...and he needs to get a baby out, and a woman refused to wear wiring/iv's/tubes etc that he may deem necessary, then isn't the doctor going against his practice beliefs?? Same thing for choosing what position to give birth in...I mean if you are delivering at a hospital, I would expect that while you would want certain freedoms, in the end the doctors job is to deliver a healthy baby. I just don't know about this.....

Re: The leagal rights of Child bearing women........

Re: The leagal rights of Child bearing women........

I'm sorry, I dont' mean to be a pill, but #17 also cunfuses me. If you are delivery in a hospital and a doctor needs to confine or do something in order for the safety of the baby & mother to remain ok, then I don't see anything wrong with that. Plus, I personally trust that the doctor would want to deliver our child the best way they see fit.

Re: The leagal rights of Child bearing women........

Re: The leagal rights of Child bearing women........

Posted by Blissful

Posted by kerrycec03

I'm sorry, I dont' mean to be a pill, but #17 also cunfuses me. If you are delivery in a hospital and a doctor needs to confine or do something in order for the safety of the baby & mother to remain ok, then I don't see anything wrong with that. Plus, I personally trust that the doctor would want to deliver our child the best way they see fit.

I'm not sure where the confusoin lies...........if everythign is progressing normally there is no need for the above interventions. If things are not progressing normally intervention is then needed......

As for the delivery position.....that is one for debate. The lithomy (on back position) is not the best position to deliver a baby but one of convinience for a physician..........

THis all being said. THe original post was intended for women to know that they do have some legal rights.

If you are comfortable being confined to a bed, having an Iv and delivering on your back than great, you shouldn't have a problem.

But there are some women, such as myself, that don't agree with the above under normal laboring circumstances and it is nice to know that legally I have options.

Actually, I was made aware of the article my my midwifery group. The OB group that they are also affiliated with hands a copy of this article to all pregnant women.

This was just an educational awareness post! LIke any information you receive during your pregnancy. Take what applies to you out of it and leave teh rest! We are all different and our views are different. The Bottom line is that women should be exposed to information and be able to make good choices that she is comfortable with regarding her birth, body and baby!

Re: The leagal rights of Child bearing women........

I do appreciate you posting something for information purposes...I just was unclear about #17. I don't think they really broke it down to "uncomplicated vs complicated labor". That's all...

There have prob been many situations where a patient is insisting on something while her doctor strongly suggests something else and things getting ugly..I mean doctors have worries these days of lawsuits...they have to try to please their patient, yet deliver a healthy baby while thinking of the mothers health as well...I don't think this issue is so black and white, thats all.

thank you for posting though! It's good for women to know their rights!

Re: The leagal rights of Child bearing women........

for me, i totally want to be in whatever position makes me most comfortable!

i know when i had period cramps, i'd roll up into a little ball and lay on my side, not lie flat on my back with my legs in the air.

obviously, the safety of the baby comes first, but during the labor itself, i want to be mobile or curled up in the fetal position.

Re: The leagal rights of Child bearing women........

I understand #17. It DOES mean the mom has the right (without the condition of whether or not there are complications).

All patients have the right to refuse medical care or insist on alternatives despite their physician's recommendation. (ex: refusing a transfusion or a specific drug for personal or religious reasons). As long as the physician states his/her concerns and someone (patient or family member) signs a document stating they understand those concerns and prefer to not heed the advice, there are no legal repercussions for the physician.
No patient (in labor or in other circumstances) can be forced to do something in a hospital without their consent. They can merely be advised, and strong recommendations given. In the end, it's the patient's choice to receive appropriate care or not.

I wonder if child endangerment laws would kick in (which occasionally usurp these rights of parents), if the baby hasn't technically been born yet