Leanne wrote "However, I'm pretty sure that, legally speaking, no-one can *force* you to have a C-section. Does anyone know whether this is right or not? While we're on the topic, does anyone know what complications usually result in C-sections, and what patient rights are re refusing a section?"
As far as I know you have the right to refuse anything you don't want and nothing should be done to you without your permission. (I hate the stories of episiotomy done without permision and waters broken without asking). If it was the US you might be charged if you chose not to have a c-section and the baby died, as in one US case a few months back. We had a women here recently who was having a VBAC (not breech) and had to negotiate what she wanted with the Hospital. They have policy of having continuous monitoring and canula in the hand when you are "Trial of scar". She said she was happy to have monitoring every hour but refused to be strapped continously to it and the Ob made her sign a waiver saying that they had discussed all the risks etc She had a wonderful VBAC but really had to work to get what she wanted and to prepare herself for it. Many women don't even realise they have a choice with alot of the care they get. The women I meet here don't even consider having a vaginal breech birth because the doctors just book them in for a c-section. Honey ----- Original Message ----- From: "JoFromOz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, September 17, 2004 12:42 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] breech baby wisdom > > > > > They probably were pushing for her to have a caesar...I'm booked in > > with the Family Birth Centre at the Royal Womens in Melbourne, and > > their hospital policy (for the whole hospital including the FBC, that > > is) is that all breech births are immediate C-sections. > > > > However, I'm pretty sure that, legally speaking, no-one can *force* > > you to have a C-section. Does anyone know whether this is right or not? > > > > While we're on the topic, does anyone know what complications usually > > result in C-sections, and what patient rights are re refusing a section? > > > > Leanne XXX > > Leanne, I used to work at the RWH in Melbourne while I was training to > be a Midwife. In my interview, one question they asked me was, if > someone was in labour, and they needed an emergency c/s, and they didn't > want one, what would you do? It turns out that you cannot force someone > to have a c/s if they refuse one. In their example, they used a Somali > woman, but I'm sure that would extend to any woman! > > If you were refusing a c/s for a breech, I'm sure they would make you > sign something to waive your right to sue if anything happened though. > > HTH > > Jo > > > -- > This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. > Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. > -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
