Consent form for birth

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....

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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"

Oh, and it's a public hospital.

WOW i personally wouldn't be signing anything like that in advance.
I would let them know your happy for it to be kept on file and your or your DH will sign it once the need arises.

Also how dare they state they can get your husband to sign it, is that supposed to be a threat?

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.

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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"

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Rude *****.

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. :hug: What a disgrace.

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.

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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"

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Omg no.

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?

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.

That's ****. :hug:

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

I too wouldnt be signing that no way at all

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?!

id be sending that form off to a media person with an explaination of the care you have recieved. I'm very sorry that you have to go through this. I agree with others, is there anyone on BB willing to help you out, a phone hook up an extra step could hubby set up a skype set up with a IM or doula??? So they can see you and support you based on bosy language as well as voice etc??

I'd be demanding another midwife/dr also.

I second what Little Chicken said. Consent can be withdrawn at any time.

Also, it has to be an INFORMED consent. If a Doctor hasn't sat down to explain these things to you (including possible risks), it is not a valid and legal consent. It has to be a Doctor, a midwife or nurse can not consent you for these things.
I'm somewhat appalled at their comment when you refused to sign it. I'd chat to your Ob about it for sure.

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.

No way in hell.
I can't even put into words what I think about this. Scary scary stuff.

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???

Do not sign it. If you feel threatened by what was been said to you then report it. Do not give consent to hypothetical situations. Report it, do not sign it, if your dh is asked to sign it then tell him not to.

There is no way I would agree to sign that. I'm sorry you have no other midwives/hospitals/birth centres to choose from...that really, really sucks. Would you consider making a complaint to the Victorian Health Services Commissioner? About your treatment with your previous bub, this consent form with no explanation (ie not informed consent) and their threat to have your DH sign it if you don't? *hugs*

That's scary.

Is it possible for you to move closer to another hospital closer to your EDD? I know that would be difficult, given that term includes 5 weeks. Do you have friends or family you could stay with?

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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???

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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.

Actually, they can get consent from your husband even if you are concious and saying "hell no, you are not doing that to me." And it's the signature that counts as that's the paper trail. I refused consent for an episiotomy so they just asked my husband, who agreed. (And who isn't coming anywhere near me next labour and birth.)

This happened to me, although not pre-birth (I was laughed at pre-birth and even in labour for not wanting drugs). "You sign for a section or your husband will and we'll give you a hysterectomy." Yeah, way to annoy a labouring woman.

WTF TFB?? How can they say that to you??

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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.

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Yep unfortunately things are worse in the USA :(.

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WTF TFB?? How can they say that to you??

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Simple - they open their mouths and the words come out. Then after they tell me they will take away all my future children, they walk away and leave me in tears.

Sadly, I didn't complain "in time" to the hospital so they didn't do anything about it. And people wonder why I'm so adamant about a freebirth with Stormy!

Oh, sweetie. :'(

Sending lots of :hug:s