can i refuse vitamin k, eye ointment, or hep B??

[MuslimMama]

Hi everyone~

Due to some unexpected complications, I am going to be giving birth in a hospital rather than at home like I had originally planned.

I know that hospitals routinely give babies vitamin K shot, eye ointment, and hep B shot. My question is... do I have the right to refuse these? All of them or just certain ones? Has anyone else had experiences refusing these routine "treatments" that might be able to suggest a smooth way of going about it?

I also posted this in my tribal area board because it might be different depending on where you live... i am in Texas.

Any info, input or advice would be helpful!

[joshs_girl]

YES! You can refuse ANYTHING - this is your baby - not the hospital's baby!

Just be really really really clear on what you do and don't want before the big labor begins. Nurses are so used to the "standard" that often they just start doing things without your consent, so be very clear about what you want from the moment you walk in.

Also, you might want to hire a doula - they're invaluable in situations like this when you are not sure what to expect and have to change your plans at the last moment. Plus, they'll interact with the medical staff on your behalf so you don't have to worry about things like that.

[MuslimMama]

Great idea about the doula! I forgot that I have her as a resource to help me deal with these things as well as helping me through labor! Thanks for the advice!

So can you also request that the baby stay in the room with you instead of being taken to the nursery?

[joshs_girl]

Absolutely! Again, this is YOUR baby - s/he doesn't belong to the hospital!

And, if they give you any BS about it being hospital "policy" you can tell them you'll sign a waiver, or you need to see that policy in writing. Also, if they tell you it's a violation of fire code to have X amount of people in the room with you (meaning the baby) then tell them you were in violation while you were in delivery because there were so many people there.

I hope you won't need any of this though - I hope your hospital can accommodate you and your new little one.

Don't forget as well that if things get really bad, you can always discharge yourself before your stay is up - you'll have to sign an AMA form, but that's always an option for getting you and LO out of there if it's a horrible place.

[newclementine]

Hi
In NYC you cannot refuse the eye ointment or the vit K (although you can bring oral vit K if that makes a difference). My midwife tld me they will insist and literally have to call child protective services (although now that I think about it there MUST be some sort of religious exemption or something like that, we just didn't pursue it any further....). You CAN however refuse hep B. Which we are doing (can't believe they want to give this to an hours-old baby!!!!!!!!!!!).

[immamama]

It's your baby! Of course you can refuse!

[Baby_Cakes]

Yes, you can! Decline, decline, decline. Sign a waiver if you must, it should not be a huge deal.

[Jemmind]

Originally Posted by joshs_girl

Also, you might want to hire a doula - they're invaluable in situations like this when you are not sure what to expect and have to change your plans at the last moment. Plus, they'll interact with the medical staff on your behalf so you don't have to worry about things like that.

I thought I've read several times that doulas don't interact with the medical staff for you.

"Labor doulas do not **Speak to the staff instead of you regarding matters where decisions are being made. We will discuss your concerns with you and suggest options, but you or your partner will speak on your behalf to the clinical staff**"

"A doula does not speak for a couple, provide medical or clinical skills..."

"A doula does not speak to the staff instead of you or your partner for decisions that are being made. If you have questions or concerns I will; however, discuss your concerns with you and suggest options and then make sure you have the time you and your partner need to speak to the staff. "

all from different sites regarding doulas.

So, to the OP, you need to make sure that if this is what you want to do, that you and your husband speak up for yourselves.

[joshs_girl]

Not to be antagonistic, but my doula will interact will interact with the medical staff on our behalf, but only on items that we've prediscussed. She won't make decisions for us, obviously, but for instance, if I don't want an epidural and it keeps being brought up, she'll gently remind the nurses (out of my earshot) that I don't want an epidural.

At the very least, she can remind you of your choices and prompt you when to speak up.

[alyssatuininga]

Yes we have refused it all. Once at the hospital and once at home. your baby your choice. The worst they can do is pester you about it and make you sign a form that you declined against medical advice.

[trayls]

Originally Posted by Jemmind

I thought I've read several times that doulas don't interact with the medical staff for you.

I'm glad you brought this up. I signed a contract for my doula and it said emphatically that the doula would not speak with the staff on our behalf. I didn't ask what exactly that meant but assumed it meant she would not presume and relate an opinion as ours without knowing it was ours. That said, I really should clarify that with her because you know what they say about assuming

[ccasanova]

I would say to check on the laws of your area so that you can know for sure. Not every state is the same and so their may be some things you can and can't decline even with a waiver. I will be going along with the vitamin k shot and possible the eye goop, but will definitely be refusing the Hep vaccines. I find it absolutely ridiculous to vaccinate a baby against a disease that is spread mostly by IV drug users and very sexually active people. I just have to find out when the forms are usually given to sign. I want to be there to make sure that the hep vacc. is declined. If I leave it to dh, he might just sign everything and anything without reading what procedures are going to be done, and I will be very unhappy if he is vaxxed. Another thing for me to have to deal with while in labor.

[chaoticzenmom]

You might want to ask your dr. or call the hospital and ask. If they say "no" then you can start the fight early and find out the truth or change hospitals.

[mtullius]

It appears that New York is quite insane in terms of Vitamin K and eye goop. Check out this website for info, advice, and how to get involved in changing these laws:

http://nyvic.org/nyvic/default.htm

[honeybee]

In our state they may claim the vit k and eye goop is law... but it is only mandatory that the healthcare providers offer it, not that you accept it.

Also, make sure yoy keep baby with you at all times and make sure they know not to give bottles or pacifiers.

[MuslimMama]

I just called the hospital I will be delivering at and they said it is no problem to decline the Hep B and Vitamin K shot, but that there is ABSOLUTLY NO WAY to decline the eye ointment due to state regulations. They said they can be charged with a misdimenor for not giving it. Interesting... I am going to call around to other hospitals to see if they give me the same story.