Eye Anitbiotics?

[savdoc2]

I am going to post this question in a few places since I don't know the best place to post it.

Since I do not have any STD's, I am opposed to having the eye antibiotics placed in my baby's eyes at birth. This was an easy decision when my first daughter was born, since she was born in Kansas and they have an exemption available to refuse the treatment. This baby will be born in Missouri and I am told that Missouri allows no exemption. My midwives told me that I can request a religious exemption when I get to the hospital, but they haven't seen them work. They also said I could request to have the midwives do them and they will do them quickly and then wipe the eyes immediately. I don't want any of the ointment to get inside the baby's eyes!!!

My questions:

Does anyone have any experience in Missouri declining the eye antibiotics?

Does anyone have a standard waiver refusing the eye antibiotics? I would rather show up at the hospital with a waiver already signed, then to depend on them making something up.

Thanks.

[aira]

I have no clue about Missouri specifically, but I was under the impression that no state can force med treatment if you refuse.

In CT I used the tack that they have the burden of getting my consent. I refused to play the game where I beg for them *not* to do something against my wishes and beliefs. I had lots of documents in hand in case it didn't work, but I went in with the idea that they have to secure my approval, I don't have to beg their mercy to decline.

It's kind of a small shift in mindset, but it worked well for us. I never needed to whip out the papers. I did get a lot of stink from the staff about all the stuff we weren't doing, but nothing substantial. It was more an annoyance while I wanted to rest than any threats. But in general, DH was excellent and fending them off.

As an aside, we got more stink about delaying the PKU than anything else. I was very surprised at this, since we were doing to do it at 1 and 3 weeks, when it has a chance of being accurate. I thought we'd get all the flack about the stuff we were all out rejecting... Ya never know...

Many people suggested this for me while pg, but I just didn't think it mattered that much: homebirth. (Not that it would've mattered in the end after all our complications...) If I have another I will strongly lobby for at least a birth center. Any option where I could avoid the vax/misc. procedure antagonism after birthing.

GL, I hope all goes very well for you and baby!