can you refuse the eye goo? - Page 2

[LightForest]

Originally Posted by Beltane

I am refusing the ointment, but my midwife suggested that I get tested for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea just to be sure since those two STD's don't always show signs in women. My test came back negative, but now I feel even better about refusing the eye drops.

Same here. It was so easy to just have the test done when I was already getting swabbed for the GBS test. Now I am completely certain that I don't carry Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, and I have actual proof of this in the form of the negative lab results.

As for the original question (can you refuse?) -- it REALLY does depend on the laws in your state. Refusing eye ointment truly is illegal in some states.

[chellebee]

Just in case any WA moms are reading this, denying has not been a problem in my experience in both having kids and with clients as a birth doula. It's definitely a more 'strange' request on the east side of the state, but I have not heard of any cases of CPS involvement there either. If it used to be this way, I am glad things have changed! In my understanding in WA they legally have to offer it, but you can sign a waiver and say no.

The best way I have found to decline is to get tested for the stds even if you know full well that you couldn't possibly have them, then include it in the birth plan. "I have tested negative for chlamydia and gonorrhea and am declining the eye prophylaxis." IF anyone challenges you or becomes involved (CPS) you at least have the leg to stand on that you made a responsible decision based on your labs and are not being negligent.

[paintedfire]

I'm in NY and am planning a home birth. I talked this over with my midwife and she offered to "forget" but I wouldn't want her getting into trouble. So she's going to put the gunk near the baby's eyes and then she's going to turn away to talk to one of us and the other is going to wipe it away.

I do have increased chances of pre-e, though (pre-existing hypertension), so I'm doing some research and prepare some legal paperwork to attach to my already-filled-out hospital admittance paperwork. In a hospital environment there's no way that stuff is getting within reaching distance of my baby.

My OBGYN knows how I feel about both the eye ointment and the vitamin K - he supports me even though it's not "normal." He's really great, though - whenever I start apologizing for being fussy he just puts his hand on mine and says, "it's your baby, mom. Quit saying you're sorry." So I'm not too worried about CPS, but I'm still going to prepare myself.

Of course, if all goes to plan none of that will be necessary. Hopefully, I'll give birth at home and all will be well.

[Mosaic]

We refused at a FSBC in NC with no problems. We did sign a form indicating we had declined it, but nobody gave us a hard time, especially since the STD tests are required by law.

[jump mama jump!]

my dh is an rn and wouldn't let me refuse the eye goop since he's a little conservative about med stuff. I thought he was overreacting but he was concerned dd would go blind if there were ANY kind of infections, not just the stds I'd been tested for already anyway and didn't have, (and GBS negative). We are also in NY and with him being licensed here I'm sure he just didn't want to deal with the hassle of a CPS case potentially affecting his career (our city is small enough that word would get around in the medical community - AND he used to work at the hospital where I gave birth).

My sis, however, refused the eye goop for her youngest, also born in NY state, and even though he was delivered by c-section, the hospital called CPS. I don't think much came of it though due to her being c-sected and the fact that her other kid is healthy, happy, etc when they investigated.