In another thread, a few women said that they didn't know/think/believe that health care providers (HCPs) had to ask a woman for consent to perform an episiotomy (make a cut to her genitals).

Do you think women should have to give informed consent for an episiotomy?

Do you think that it is ok for HCPs to assume consent (for an episiotomy) if consent has been given for vacc or forceps?

Do you think that it is ok for HCPs to assume consent (for an episiotomy) because a woman is in labour and has entered a hospital?

Do you think it is ok for a woman to refuse a procedure? When/Why? When is it not ok?
Hmm this is interesting for me. As one of the ladies who didn't know about the required consent, I can say its a new thought for me.

I would say I am a generally well educated female, and when it came to my birth I felt I was in control. That being said my first ob had a "no episiotomy" policy, which I had checked ( like I mentioned on the other thread, MASSIVE fear of being cut, more so than the birth lol). Ob #2 is an older "school" ob and he will cut if he thinks it necessary. This scared me but I figured I would cross that bridge later so to speak.

Reflecting on it, I think it is such a commonly accepted practice that I hadn't thought to be able to say no. For me when I "employ" an ob I am in effect saying I trust you to make the right decisions and give the right advice when the time comes.
I agree that as a woman I know my body best, but my body in child birth? I've never birthed before and whilst I did the process myself with dd, I know if something went wrong that I had my trust in someone who had seen and helped hundreds of times.

I might add I do like the fact I could say no next time power to me against cutting lol!!