Consent form for birth

[Charlotte91]

At my hospital there is a consent form that they make you sign when you book into the hospital. I said that I would discuss it with my OB.

The consent form is for...

Regional (spinal or epidural) anaesthesia
General anaesthesia
Delivery aided by forceps or vacuum extractor
Episiotomy
Manual removal of placenta
C/S


I don't know that I'm comfortable turning up in labour and they can do all those things without asking me.

I don't have to sign this, right? When you turn up in labour they ask for your consent form straight away....

[HotI]

Nup. i wouldn't be consenting to any of those things at this time.

[misty]

Thats strange to get you to consent to those things before they are nessecary. I would just tell them that you will be happy to consent IF the need arises, but that you don't feel comfortable signing at this stage.

[FabFiona]

I'm guessing it's just part of the normal pack of paperwork they give you? Is it a private hospital? If it's public they can't turn you away, so I wouldn't worry there.

Not sure about private - your OB might have to do a bit of negotiating for you, but they are normally happy to go with what they OB says.

I wouldn't be signing anything like that without it being necessary.

[Sagres]

I am not some one who normally gets too antsy about standard policy/procudure/paper work stuff, but even I wouldn't feel comfortable signing that. Happy to discuss and make a call IF the need arises but not to just agree to all of them without having the context of an actual 'situation' or hurdle to deal with. I mean, there are some situations where I would want a epidural, and some I wouldn't, I want to make that call when I know which scenario we are faced with because my consent would change.
Unless I guess if the consent form says it covers these procedures if you are already unconscious, then I would probably be OK with it because I'm thinking if I am already unconscious things REALLY need to happen.

[LimeSlice]

Are you sure it is a actually a consent form? I wouldn't be signing it at all! I would also go out of my way to make sure they put that on my file too.

[Charlotte91]

"Consent to Treatment During Labour"

I............ hereby consent to the following operation(s) and/or anaesthetics, where considered to be clinically indicated and/or necessary"

Regional (spinal or epidural) anaesthesia
General anaesthesia
Delivery aided by forceps or vacuum extractor
Episiotomy
Manual removal of placenta
C/S

being performed on ......*given names*...........

I also consent to such further operative procedures as may be found necessary to be performed for the preservation of my life and health, and/or that of my unborn baby, during the course of the labour or operation(s) stated above.

In conjunction with the above stated operation(s) I consent to the administration of such anaesthetics as may be considered by the anaesthetist to be necessary"

This form freaks me out, TBH
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"

[Tegam]

You don't have to and there is no way I'd sign it!

[FabFiona]

Just thinking... Could you look at having a phone arrangement with a Doula or IM? Not as conventional, but could still be a good support for you. You might pay a lesser fee to have them available on the phone for you, especially during labour.

[PumpkinZulu]

Omg no.

[Little Chicken]

Doesn't sound like a good form to sign early. They are probably doing it in case an emergency arises and you are unconscious or otherwise unable to give consent, probably where they meant your DH could sign it. Still a very poor way they presented it to you. Who was explaining the form to you, a midwife or an admin person? Just because a consent form is signed now does not mean it overrides your future wishes. Consent can always be withdrawn.

[onthefly]

That's ****.

[Boo Boo]

I can't believe in this day and age in Australia we have pregnancy care like this. wrong, wrong, wrong!

[~*familyof3*~]

I too wouldnt be signing that no way at all

[HotI]

Signing the form now under the theory that you can always withdraw consent later on is misguided. If you are unable to consent (ie you are unconscious) and a procedure is medically necessary then the hospital will be able to gain consent from your next of kin OR are able to go ahead anyway. A pre-signed consent just gives them permission to not explain the options, and to exert greater pressure for procedures that may not be warranted.

[Maruschke]

That's terrible. I'm sorry you are in this position .

I read an american article, which may not apply in Australia, that consent is implied when you require life saving treatment, or when you cannot give consent... and that they considered labour to be such a time. I was amazed. Anyone know which conditions apply under which they consider consent implied???

[meow]

I read an american article, which may not apply in Australia, that consent is implied when you require life saving treatment, or when you cannot give consent... and that they considered labour to be such a time. I was amazed. Anyone know which conditions apply under which they consider consent implied???

We've been shocked and learnt the hard way that implied consent is the norm in the US. Apparently we consent to quite a bit by sending our son to school!

There is no way I would sign that form, and I'd be thinking hard about what to put in your birth preferences now too. Make sure you have it prepared and put in your file before your due date. If any of those things need to happen they can ask you at the time, or if you are unconscious THEN they can get consent from your husband.

[Enchanted]

Far out! I wouldn't be signing it at all! DS was delivered in a large regional hospital & I only had to sign a consent form just as I was about to be wheeled into theatre but that was consenting to a c/s if they needed to as my little guy wasn't coming out. DD was born in a small regional hospital & we still weren't asked to sign anything. How odd that they ask you to do it now?!