When preparing for labour and delivery, many women and birthing people may need to realize they have a range of choices available to them. Whether delivering in a birthing centre or hospital, you can make informed decisions about your care. Here are some common interventions and procedures you can opt out of, along with confidence statements to help you assert your choices:

Vaccines: Newborns are often given vaccines shortly after birth, such as the Hepatitis B vaccine. You have the right to delay or decline these vaccinations.

   – Confidence Statement: “I have decided to delay/decline the Hepatitis B vaccine for my baby. Please respect my decision.”

Cervical Checks: Frequent cervical checks can be uncomfortable and are not always necessary.

   – Confidence Statement: “I prefer to limit cervical checks during my labour. Please consult me before performing any.”

Continuous Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM): While EFM can be beneficial sometimes, intermittent monitoring is often sufficient for low-risk pregnancies.

   – Confidence Statement: “I prefer intermittent monitoring unless there are clear medical indications for continuous monitoring.”

IV Fluids: Routine IV fluids may not be necessary if you can drink and eat during labour.

   -Confidence Statement: “I would like to stay hydrated by drinking fluids unless medically necessary to have an IV.”

Episiotomy: An episiotomy is a surgical cut made at the opening of the vagina during childbirth. It should not be performed routinely and is often misused under the guise of “big baby”. A vagina is a flexible muscle more than capable of birthing 10+ lbs babies

   -Confidence Statement: “I do not consent to an episiotomy unless it is absolutely medically necessary.”

Augmentation of Labour: Interventions such as Pitocin to speed up labour should be carefully considered.

   – Confidence Statement: “I prefer to avoid Pitocin or other labour augmentation methods unless there is a clear medical need.”

Immediate Cord Clamping: Delayed cord clamping has benefits for the newborn.

   – Confidence Statement: “I would like to delay cord clamping for at least one to three minutes after birth.”

Separation from Baby: Routine procedures can often be delayed to allow for immediate skin-to-skin contact.

   – Confidence Statement: “I want immediate skin-to-skin contact with my baby and prefer any necessary procedures to be done after this time.”

Remember, hospitals and birthing centres work for you. You can ask for a different nurse or doctor if you need to be treated more respectfully. You can also report your concerns and request that they be documented in writing.

Confidence Statement for Reporting Concerns: “I feel that my needs and preferences are not being respected. I would like to request a different caregiver. Please document this request in my medical record.”

Being informed and prepared can help you feel empowered during labour and delivery. Often, birthing people are empathic and overly concerned with hurting people’s feelings and would rather allow someone to do something we may not agree with or would’ve wanted off the basis that we want to be less difficult or not challenging. CHALLENGE THESE PEOPLE! They went through 8 years of schooling and residency, so you aren’t bullying them! Trust your instincts, use your voice, and remember you are responsible for your birthing experience.