Managed 3rd stage - No option for me

[Janie]

Bek, I would be asking firstly why you need it, and then if there are any alternatives. Make them explain it to you. It may be that there aren't any alternatives, that it is the safest thing for you - but at least if you understand why you need it, you will feel better about having it.

[SamiH]

Hmmm I thought most hospitals only demanded a canula before birth if you had had a previous PPH - you didnt mention you did, so I will assume you didnt! If so, that could be the reason.

However it might well be their policy that if you have had probs with placenta retention you must have shot after birth.

[Visitor8]

you can refuse managed 3rd stage and will have to sign a waiver. Also you DONT have to have a canula. They do that incase they need to give you something and it makes their lives easier, but in the crossfire it makes labouring worse. I hated the canula I had in my hand but I had an induction.
Tell them to go jump if you like

[bon]

I had this with my last birth - was told beforehand that they wanted me to have a cannula put in when I go into the hospital, as a 'just in case' thing, because I had previous PPH. TBH it didn't bother me - the midwive did a great job putting it in, it hardly hurt and I barely noticed it was there. BUT in the end I didn't need it - no PPH (which I firmly believe now was due to the fact that I was not put on a synto drip - the induction drug increases your chances of PPH).

Anyway, no you don't have to have it put in - but be prepared to be firm about it, because they will most definitely be against the idea, and put it in writing or sign a waiver or whatever so that they have it documented that you refused.

[BellyBelly]

I am pretty sure Sam (raven) had a previous retained placenta and had a physiological third stage, no placenta issues. There is no such thing as no choice. Just like Jahovahs (sorry spelling) Witnesses refuse blood transfusions... they are granted that based on religion but birth and its a lockdown.

[BekZ]

The midwife explained that they use 2 different types of drugs to help expel the placenta. I can't remember the correct names but they sound similar. This first is the injection at birth and the second is administered via iv if the first doesn't work.

Because I have had a rp they'll skip the first and administer the second straight up. This is insure my uterus contracts sufficently to expel the placenta. They want to prevent possible PPH.

At the same time the mid told me that neither of these drugs work if my placenta will need to be removed manually. This is what happened last time!!! So if the placenta is going to get stuck then it will be stuck and there is not point to administering the second drug.

I absolutely hate canulas and I feel that my birthing experience will be more uncomfortable than required. I would prefer to labour without a canula and see what happens. I will be pushing the point

[Inertia]

I can empathise. I am on the rough road of asking for a Phys third stage. I have had a previous PPH - but there were circumstances that raised my risk factor (long labour that was intefered with on a regular basis!!). I still have a raised risk factor with the history of PPH and Grand Multiparity, but I do feel that my body will be better off for the hands off labour that I am aiming for.

I am agreeing to the canula though as it can be harder to put in when things have already gone wrong. It is evil to get it put in and you need to make sure they don't stick it near the wrist because that is the absolute worst place to have it, and ask for the small one because you don't even notice it. But you can refuse it, yes. They will probably feel better with the canula though and I find a little bit of give helps them give a bit back without getting uptight and treating me like a difficult patient.

Also, early clamping can cause a litany of issues - including blood clotting around the placenta which can lead to PPH! Cord Traction too can cause a whole bunch of issues like incomplete placenta and introverted uterus. Yes, I just spent weeks reading all this to make sure I was making the best decision despite my risk factor. I feel that asking for the third stage to be hands off is giving my body the best chance to NOT pph, rather than trying to prevent it from happening when you have done everything possible to practically ask for it. I'd definitely recommend doing all the reading I have, because it is really does make it best for you to decide if you want to go the distance with an unwilling hospital.