Mrs HM
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Mrs HM - How did they react when you refused consent? I'm not good at confrontation and was sort of zoned-out of what was happening around me last time I was in labour. I'm not sure I have it in me to put up much of a fight.
Well I had two meetings to discuss the VBAC before labour and they basically talked at me, telling me exactly what would happen...'we will induce you at 41 weeks, we will break your waters, we will need to monitor you and baby' etc. Instead of arguing at this point with a doctor and midwife who probably wouldn't be there when I went into labour I thought I'd just nod and keep my fight for when I needed it! I also didn't write a birth plan as I couldn't be bothered to argue about it, I just thought I'll be flexible and stand my ground as needed. I hate confrontation too!
When I got to the hospital in labour I was in too much pain and although I'm a people-pleaser by nature I didn't care what they said, I kept saying 'no I do not consent' lol. One midwife kept saying over and over that I had to have an IV and I had to have bloods taken and I just kept on saying no, I do not consent. By this time my contractions weren't letting up and even my DH (normally very reserved and quiet) told her to back off as I'd been clear to refuse the tests/IV.
I was quite worried that I came across as dramatic but they also refused me use of the pool, which I'd had approved at my first appointment, so at that stage I didn't give a flying monkey what they thought about me as I started demanding the birth I'd planned (albeit in my head!)
Get your birth partner to deal with any persistent hounding from the medical staff regarding tests etc- a simple 'she has made her feelings clear about that, now let's move on' would probably be enough I think.