What will I be asked..?

[Calluna]

When I went to my first antenatal appointment I was a bit suprised by the questions I was asked ie "do I want to donate the cord blood?" at the time I said yes because I didnt have a reason to not donate it but since then I have found out that if I wait until the cord stops pulsating then the baby gets more of the blood. Which would obviously be benificial.
I need to know what other questions the hospital staff are going to ask me throughout my pregnancy so I can research it and therefore make better decisions for our baby and myself.
I'm really looking for a list of exactly what I'm going to be asked.

[Danni]

Unfortunately, most questions are not standard across the board.

I have never been asked that question before! Although I wish I had.

Other things you may want to research into is childbirth injections, (hep B + vitamin K), what sort of delivery you desire, pain relief options, tearing vs episiotomy, birthing positions, whether or not you plan to breastfeed etc

[Jas]

Hi,

Other things that might be asked are if you consent to your baby being given hep b and vitamin k injections after birth, you have to sign a form for these. at 36weeks your hosp would want to take a vaginal swab to test for strep b (this is an external swab) um later on or if u are overdue they might ask if you want a stretch and sweep.

I think the best way to handle it is if your not sure of anything they ask you just ask questions and/or for info to read or ask on here! and just say you will think and talk about it and let them know.

[Calluna]

when i was asked about the cord blood i asked if it was used for anything else or if it just went to medical waste and the mw told me it went to med waste. although i didnt ask directly if it would be useful to my baby she should have told me then that it maybe benificial to our baby, shouldnt she?

[Danni]

A lot of the "big" hospitals don't bother with telling you the benefits of time consuming things.

I begged them to wait for DS' cord to stop pulsating and they flat out said "no!"

[Calluna]

I find out next week if i get into the birth centre at the rbwh (bris). is it likely that they'll be better at giving me the info i really need rather than just whats convenient for them? being my first pregnancy i have no idea whats ahead of me and no idea what questions i need to ask in order to get the birth and hospital treatment that i want for myself and my child.

[Mumma2three]

I asked about leaving the cord pulsating this time and they said it was common practice, so I guess it varies. It only takes about 30 secs, so you may be able to donate as well as leave it pulsating? Not sure on that one though.
Im also going to make it clear that I want no Hep B vaccine for baby. I think no matter who you tell that one to, you have to tell them again at the birth.
xo

[*Efjay*]

Hmm Ihave never been asked about donating cord blood either. Nor havehad a to sign a concent form for bubs to have injections...
Also the Strep B swap... a PP said its an external swab? IM not sure if you possibly mean external as in you do it yourself or not? But its not "external" as in the way its done. Its a big long cotton bud that you need to insert.

You may like to look at the syntocin injection they give to help deliver the placenta. Again often not needed but they don't tell you that, they just jab you while your distracted with your new baby.
You may also likke to find out what their policy (or expectations, sometimes its not poilice just preference IFYKWIM) about going post dates. Indcution really isn't the most pleasent way to experience your first birth so if you can avoid it, it would be good. So find out how far over tehy will let you go before pushing to induce.

[Calluna]

I want to go with a drug free so hopefully I can, although I realise it doesnt always go that way. So I'll be letting them know that from the begining. If they give me the syntocin (or anything else for that matter) without asking me first there'll be hell to pay. lol. I can't believe anyone would be so rude and tactless as to wait til your distracted an then stick a needle in you without asking. Surely they have to ask your permision first?

I think at the Mater they give you 2 weeks past the due date before talking about inducing, I'm not too sure about the RBH birth centre though. I'll do my best to avoid it. I've heard it can be alot more painful than a birth that starts naturally. can I still birth at the birth centre if I have an induction?
I assumed you wouldn't be able to donate the cord blood because it goes back to the baby and that's why you wait til it stops pulsating. I dont know though it just seemed logical to me, maybe there is something left over they can use?

Is there a thread with the pro's and con's of the hep B needle? or any other injections myself or the baby will be "offered"?

[*Efjay*]

can't believe anyone would be so rude and tactless as to wait til your distracted an then stick a needle in you without asking. Surely they have to ask your permision first?

you would think hey. But Both my 1st & 3rd bubs I was unaware I had it till I was told (with my first) or jabbed from behind( with my 3rd) My 2nd & 4th I was aware I was about to get it.

[Nelle]

You might find, or can ask about HepB and VitK in the vaccinations/immunisation area. Let me know if you can't find it, and I'll find it for you.

Things like Synctocin, and cord pulsating, etc are great reasons to have another birth support partner as well as your partner. I was lucky to be friends with a trainee midwife who would have advocated for me if I'd needed it, and even just being able to explain things, what's going on is helpful, but doulas can do the same thing.

[Calluna]

I dont really have anyone else I feel comfortable having there asside from DP but I had thought about getting a doula. Only problem being we dont have the money for it.

I found info on vit K but not on hep b. Although it was a few days ago that I looked, I'll look again and see how I go.