disappointed with birthing center policies

[stacyann21]

I had my first appointment at my birthing center today. I'm 35 weeks pregnant and recently switched providers. I was happy to hear that since I won't be CIRCing the mw did not recommend a routine injection of vitamin K. However, she did mention abx eye ointment, which I thought was unnecessary since I tested negative for chlamydia/gonorrhea. She said something about bacteria in fecal matter possibly causing infection in the baby's eyes?? Even more distressing was her recommendation for a routine injection of Pitocin to "move the delivery of the placenta along"!!! I will definitely be refusing this but I have a bad feeling most of their clients don't and that it's frowned upon. I'm feeling a little cowardly and I need help wording my requests not to have these interventions without coming across as bitchy or difficult. Any advice is appreciated.

[Turkish Kate]

"Yes, please" and "No, thank you." That's all you need--the first time. If they keep coming at you and wanting to intervene, then you are allowed to be bitchy and difficult, IMHO. Your baby, your decision.

[moongoddess176]

Originally Posted by Turkish Kate

"Yes, please" and "No, thank you." That's all you need--the first time. If they keep coming at you and wanting to intervene, then you are allowed to be bitchy and difficult, IMHO. Your baby, your decision.

: You don't need to be bitchy, but make it absolutley clear that these are your decisions and that you ultimately have the final say! I would even venture to address that prior to the birth. If she is not ok with your decisions then maybe you can still go elsewhere.

[JSerene]

Just make it very clear ahead of time. I found that I was extremely vulnerable during labor and birth and couldn't stick up for myself at all. I was glad I made my wishes clear before hand. Good luck.

[Nan'sMom]

Can you do a homebirth instead with a more hands-off midwife? These types of policies are why I crossed a birthing center off my list early on.

Best of luck!

[rmzbm]

Originally Posted by Turkish Kate

"Yes, please" and "No, thank you." That's all you need--the first time. If they keep coming at you and wanting to intervene, then you are allowed to be bitchy and difficult, IMHO. Your baby, your decision.

:

[tanyalynn]

And asking your partner (if you have one) for support on this when the baby comes can help, too. Even if your partner doesn't feel as strongly as you (perhaps hasn't done any reading at all), ask that they back you up, politely, because you do feel strongly and feel you are making the best decision for your child.

[stacyann21]

Thank you all for your replies! I talked to several people about it and I'm feeling confident about my decision to refuse the pit injection. I will accept it if I am beginning to hemorrhage but not beforehand "just in case". Does anybody have any info about the eye abx being recommended to women who have tested negative for chlamydia/gonorrhea? I'm still stumped on this one. I don't want to refuse or accept anything without being educated about it first. Thanks!

[JSerene]

Originally Posted by stacyann21

Does anybody have any info about the eye abx being recommended to women who have tested negative for chlamydia/gonorrhea? I'm still stumped on this one. I don't want to refuse or accept anything without being educated about it first. Thanks!

The eye ointment has no purpose other than to prevent infection in case mother has gonorrhea or chlamydia. Even if mom tests negative, it is still mandated that it be given because mom could have gotten one of the STDs after being tested. You and your partner will have to sign a waiver after the birth if you refuse it, which is no big deal.

What always stumped me is why it is given to women who had a c/s since baby didn't go through the birth canal :