Consent form for birth

[Loveinamist]

Not wanting to be too negative but I would be very wary of giving birth in that hospital. It doesn't seem to bode well for how well they will respect you and your wishes as a woman giving birth. The form and their general attitude doesn't seem very 'labouring woman and baby friendly' to me.

[LimeSlice]

Ah...no, they can't get your husband to sign it unless you are in a situation when you are unable to give consent - like, unconscious.

Tell them to shove their form where the sun don't shine and then seriously reconsider your birth options. What a disgrace.

[Floweryfields]

Wow, to me, it doesn't say a whole lot about their intentions to be supportive of your attempts at a natural birth if they are expecting you to sign this before you even go into labour! Sort of feels like the same class (for me) as a pre nup - your thinking and planning the worst is going to happen.
I wouldn't sign it.

[Charlotte91]

I'm stuck with the stupid hospital I've got. I'm sick of having tantrums about the hospital. They were so rude to me when i turned up there with pregnant with DD. I got told "Well, there's no point being here. We can't do anything with your baby like THAT"..... Ouch. Way to talk to the 18yo in preterm labour with a sick bub. They just called in a plane and flew me to Melbourne.
They boast about being a Level 2 SCN but wouldn't take DD while she had her NGT because they "don't have the staff or facilities".

It's either that hospital, or go to Ballarat, Bendigo or Mildura. All 3ish hours away. And there's ALOT of lonely roads between here and the cities. And there's no IMs or Doulas anywhere NEAR here. I've written to dozens but none will come this far.
Plus, I don't want to be that far away from DD.

At least I know now from your fabulous replies that I don't have to sign it. I'm thinking I may need to try and find a Doula or IM I can talk to because I can't hire one.

Thanks again ladies.

[misty]

Definitely try and find a birth advocate. Even put the word out on BB here for people in your area who would be willing to step up for you. Or maybe you have a friend that would be willing to do it and research into birthing so they have some idea of what is on and what isn't?

[Heaven]

WOW, I would never ever sign that. So it's basically saying when in labour we will do anything we want to you because you've already signed this. No thanks, I'd want them to be informing me of what's happening IF it is needed.

I got told when I said I'd talk to my OB about it "Well, we CAN get your husband to sign it if you won't"

And after them saying that there's no chance in hell I'd be giving birth at that hospital.