Advance medical directives

[Morgana]

Awhile back we went to a vax lecture taught by a very anti-vax chiro. Someone in the class brought up advance medical directives. It sounded like a birth plan with legal teeth. The chiro mentioned that some aspects of a birth plan can be "forgotten". He knows of a few local instances where a birth plan said no Hep B but the vax was given anyway. He said an advance medical directive is given more attention by the hospital, nurses, docs etc. And if something like a vax is given against the parents wishes then it can be used to take legal action. Has anyone used this?

[mamakah]

This is the first I have heard of it, but will definately use one if I have any more children! Its so sad that parents have to resort to this!

[kiara7]

The term "Advance Directives" refers to treatment preferences and the designation of a surrogate decision- maker in the event that a person should become unable to make medical decisions on her or his own behalf.

Doesn't the person have to have it signed/notarized for him/herself?
How would an unborn child do that?

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by kiara7

Doesn't the person have to have it signed/notarized for him/herself?
How would an unborn child do that?

In a sense parents are already appointed as our children's medical desicion makers until they are old enough to make their own. An advance directive wouldn't apply to a baby I don't believe....as parents we already have a built in advanced directive for our children (our choices that we make on their behalf).
As for vaccination and birthplan...one can have their birthplan notarized to be more official. Although I took a notarized modified AAP form declining vaxes to my ped and she LAUGHED at me for having it notaized!

[Morgana]

Originally Posted by Marnica

In a sense parents are already appointed as our children's medical desicion makers until they are old enough to make their own. An advance directive wouldn't apply to a baby I don't believe....as parents we already have a built in advanced directive for our children (our choices that we make on their behalf).
As for vaccination and birthplan...one can have their birthplan notarized to be more official. Although I took a notarized modified AAP form declining vaxes to my ped and she LAUGHED at me for having it notaized!

I just started Googling this and that's pretty much what I've found. I wonder what they were talking about then or how they made it apply to a birth plan and vaxes. Maybe I should give the chiro a call and see if he can clarify.

[becca_howell]

I feel utterly blessed when it comes to Hep B. When DD was born, the nurse who gave me all the info said, "This is ONLY if you want it. Don't consent unless you're 100% sure you want her to get the shot. Here's the info, I'll be in later to see if you want her to get it or not." Stupid me, I thought it was a "good thing". Anyway, with DS, we won't be vaxing. I hope the hospital will be just as understanding when I'm sitting on the other side of the spectrum.