Going past 42 weeks and medical waiver forms

[PseudoDiva]

I'm planning a HB, but have received tandem care with Kaiser. As of next Tuesday I will be 42 weeks, and I know the OB will begin to push for an induction. I really don't want to lose my home birth, but I am concerned about the ramifications of signing a release of liability waiver. I've heard that it would be something to the effect of: "I am doing this against medical advice and I release KP from any and all liability surrounding my birth"...obviously this would only be an issue if we ended up in the hospital with an emergency!

Does anyone have experience with this?

[Amatullah0]

I don't think it would be an issue if you end up in the hospital with an emergency, i mean, other than being treated poorly and with an "i told you so" attitude. I don't think its saying that they wont treat you if you do end up there, its just saying, if, god forbid, something bad happens(to you or baby) because you didn't agree with induction, you can't sue them for not inducing you.

FTR, I wouldn't consent to induction at any set time just because I was "overdue" dates can be off, and babies cook for different lengths, ya know? the most I would consent to at 42 wks would be NSTs and if there seems to be a problem, then we can consider induction.

[GoldmanBaby09]

Do you have any reason to still be getting tandem care? I stopped after week 32 since there was no reason to continue, my midwife was my true care provider and if there was an emergency, I would just end up with who was on call at the time. Unless you have a medical reason, I would call and cancel my appt and conveniently forget to reschedule and trust my midwife to handle with me any postdate decisions that need to be made.

Good luck with your homebirth!

[secondimpression]

Could you go to an out-of-network hospital if you do wind up needing to transfer? And just stop care with the OB before being asked to sign a waiver? I'm with Kaiser Mid-Atlantic and had absolutely no problems just showing up when I was in labor with DS, I was never even billed a copay.

[PseudoDiva]

This is why I love this forum--you always remind me I have more options! I think it definitely makes sense to just not go back to the OB. I'll go to the NST tomorrow, and then hope the full moon this weekend will do the rest. :-)

Thanks ladies!

[erin_brycesmom]

I was asked to sign an Against Medical Advice Waiver for refusing an induction at 42 weeks. I can't remember if it said anything about liability though. I guess it must have. The only thing that I remember was that it said I acknowledge that I have been advised that my baby is at risk for death by not agreeing to the induction. I signed it and went on my way.