I think I gave consent to my midwives to do what they thought was best throughout the antenatal period when we had many long chats about birth. I began to trust them to do what was necessary, only if it were necessary, and to keep the best interest of myself and my child in mind. So that said, I gave them consent in general to treat me the best they could, and they didn't need to ask for it at the time, because we knew each other well enough.
I had TWO epi's with this most recent birth, both without anesthetic, and both were vital, and they told me they had to do it rather than ask consent.... which was how we had agreed it would be... just do what you have to do and I'll do what I have to do. I don't feel violated at all.
It was my MW's first epi, and she's been delivering babies 7 years.
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