13 Patient Rights Every Birthing Momma Has

You have rights series part 2 of 4

In my last blog, we discussed that you have the right to refuse induction, to refuse membrane sweeping/ rupturing of membranes, and the right to request intermittent fetal monitoring.

Do not let your caregiver bully you into giving up your rights for their convenience.

You have rights. It is important in a time where POLICIES are being placed before patient rights to know what your rights are.

Discuss your rights and your birth preferences with your caregiver early on. You may even want to interview potential caregivers before your pregnancy to determine who might be a good fit for you.

Download your free birth plan worksheet here!

**As with all procedures and interventions, please do your own research and decide if the results of the procedure outweigh the associated risks.

This week, we are going to discover that

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO

• Request to have Pitocin turned off at any point
• Eat and drink whenever you feel hungry and thirsty
• Get out of bed whenever you want

You Have the Right to Request that Pitocin be Turned Off at Any Point.

What is Pitocin? Pitocin is a synthetic (man-made) form of Oxytocin.

Oxytocin is a hormone that is released during labor that helps the uterus contract. Oxytocin is also released during sex and breastfeeding. During breastfeeding, oxytocin promotes the movement of milk into the breasts, allowing it to be excreted by the nipple.

During labor, your doctor may suggest using Pitocin to jump start your labor or to increase the strength of your contractions.

Moms who have had pitocin in labor state that the contractions produced by Pitocin are more intense and closer together than natural contractions.

But what are the risks associated with Pitocin?

Risk One: It has been shown that the use of Pitocin leads to other interventions, including epidurals and C-sections.

As with other interventions, like epidurals, saying yes to Pitocin means you’re also saying yes to a number of other interventions including continuous fetal monitoring and IV fluids (that’s how the Pitocin gets into your body). You may also end up needing an epidural, since Pitocin contractions are more intense and more painful—especially if used for several hours. 

Risk Two: It can cause stress to the mom- and in turn, to the baby.

“Catecholamines, the stress hormones, are released if the mother is fearful or if she does not feel safe and protected. Early in labor, high levels of catecholamines can slow or even stop labor… Having a deep understanding and confidence in the normal physiologic process of labor and birth and confidence in her own ability to give birth makes it easier for a woman to let go of the belief that technology and routine interventions make birth safer for mothers and babies.”

Risk Three: It puts you “on the clock.”

Most hospitals have a policy that once they start Pitocin, you have to progress at a set rate and must be complete within so many hours. If you do not “perform” correctly, then you will be pushed to have a C-Section.

Risk Four: Pitocin can cause distress to the baby.

Because the contractions are not working with your regular body rhythm, the added hormones and intensity of the contractions can cause the baby to stress out. This can result in a drop in fetal heart rate. This will likely result in more interventions and possible C-section. Risks to the baby include:

• fetal heart abnormalities (slow heartbeat, PVCs, and arrhythmias)
• low APGAR scores
• neonatal jaundice
• neonatal retinal hemorrhage
• permanent central nervous system or brain damage
• fetal death
• Pitocin can cause you to have a longer labor

The research shows that if you are starting with an unripe cervix and no signs of labor, then using Pitocin will not shorten your labor, it may actually increase the length of time you labor. The most obvious reason for this would be that your body simply is not ready for labor.

In opposition, if your body is showing signs of early labor, then augmenting labor can be helpful if you need to get over a hump, or to get your body into a good rhythm.

You Have the Right to Eat and Drink Whenever you are Hungry or Thirsty.

Labor is HARD work. You need to stay hydrated and eat to keep your energy up for all of the work that you will need to do to bring your beautiful baby into the world!

There has been a long-standing policy in most hospitals that you cannot eat or drink anything except for ice chips while you are in the hospital.

This policy is not for your benefit.

The no food or drink policy is solely for the convenience of the hospital staff. Specifically for the anesthesiologist in CASE you have an emergency and in CASE you need anesthesia during your emergency, and in CASE the anesthesia causes you to vomit while on anesthesia.

The truth is it is VERY important that you stay hydrated during labor. This will help increase your energy and stamina.

Eating small amounts in the beginning of labor is also helpful to keep your energy levels up. I recommend a high protein snack such as cheese cubes, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, yogurt, or anything that sounds good to you.

When you are in active labor, then you won’t feel like eating much. Most likely, your mind will be on other things.

If you find yourself waning during labor, suck on a lollipop or honey stick for a quick boost of energy.

REMEMBER: Drink plenty of water!

You Have the Right to Get out of Bed Whenever You Want.

Imagine trying to run a marathon with shackles on your ankles.

That’s kind of what it is like giving birth and being strapped to a bed- hooked up to IV’s and monitors and trying to labor a baby into the world.

It is better for both you and the baby to be able to move around and change positions frequently.

Studies show that the movement and change in position allow the baby to move into the correct position for delivery.

Stay tuned for part 3 of this series: Know your rights- 13 Rights That Every Birthing Mom Has to read about the following:

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO

• Labor in any position you want to
• Push in whatever position you want
• Have a vaginal birth after a caesarian section
• Deliver a breech baby vaginally
• Refuse any major surgery- including a c-section

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/delivery.htm

• Keep your baby’s cord attached to the placenta and unclamped for as long as you want
• Take your placenta home