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what does "hospital policy" really mean?
I am afraid I am not a
going-along-with-things-just-because-I'm-told-to kind of person (this is one side effect of being trained as a scientist - you get in the habit of drawing independant conclusions about things :-P), and this may be a potential problem when it comes time to give birth. So, just so that I know what the playing field is, can anyone explain to me what the status or force really IS of "hospital policy"? What does "hospital policy" actually MEAN? Yes, I admire and would probably USE the "golly, your required electronic fetal monitor just keeps falling right off me, how inconvenient!" type of tactic :-) But that approach won't work for *everything*, like, say, if hospital policy says that the baby must be taken off elsewhere after birth to be examined rather than staying in the room with the mother. So, how does "hospital policy" work? How much is it possible to put one's foot down, and what is the best or most successful way to do so, and what will they actually DO if you do? Is it simply a matter of 'whatever your doctor or midwife agrees to", or is it more complex than that? I asked one of the midwives about this at my last appointment, and she told me that since the midwives have admitting priveleges at the hospital, they can write orders for things to be different in 'whatever' ways, as long as the midwife agrees that the patient's wishes are medically reasonable. But I got a lingering feeling that this was partly a happy lil' story I was being told (no offence meant to her, but this particular midwife and I just do not seem to be on the same wavelength much of the time, am kinda hoping someone else will be on duty when I go into labor ;-)). Also, surely at least SOME aspects of hospital policy are not negotiable at all; for instance when I had a preterm labor scare at 30 wks I was told that if I *were* in preterm labor then I would have to be transferred elsewhere as hospital policy was that they only handled labor at 32 wks+ at this hospital. (Mind, I can certainly understand the rationale for that). What other kinds of likely issues would be in this category? On the one hand I agree that in many ways it is unconstructive for me to go into this *expecting* conflict... but OTOH I really handle life much much better if I have thought about what problems may crop up rather than being taken by surprise. I am annoyingly prone to bursting into tears during stressful situations (let's not discuss my PhD defense, back in grad school :-P), which in turn does NOT make it easier to get people to take me seriously at those times (just because I am crying does not mean I am irrational, dammit, but just TRY convincing other people of that), so all in all I think I probably really am better off having thought this sort of thing through ahead of time and 'processed' the likely options and limitations. So, if anyone can throw some light on the subject I'd really appreciate it. FWIW I'm in Canada (will be delivering in Lakeridge hospital in Oshawa, ON). P.S. please *don't* suggest a homebirth. I think if I were fifteen years younger and living closer to a real hospital it would be exactly the right thing for me, but it just does not "feel" right at this particular time and place, and given the available options I really AM quite comfortable with my decision for a hospital birth even though I know it does have some drawbacks. Thanks very much for any insights, Pat edd July 21 |
#2
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what does "hospital policy" really mean?
P Harris wrote:
So, how does "hospital policy" work? How much is it possible to put one's foot down, and what is the best or most successful way to do so, and what will they actually DO if you do? Is it simply a matter of 'whatever your doctor or midwife agrees to", or is it more complex than that? It's more complex. I asked one of the midwives about this at my last appointment, and she told me that since the midwives have admitting priveleges at the hospital, they can write orders for things to be different in 'whatever' ways, as long as the midwife agrees that the patient's wishes are medically reasonable. But I got a lingering feeling that this was partly a happy lil' story I was being told (no offence meant to her, but this particular midwife and I just do not seem to be on the same wavelength much of the time, am kinda hoping someone else will be on duty when I go into labor ;-)). Could be. Depending on where you are, sometimes the midwives do not have the political standing to make too many waves. Also, surely at least SOME aspects of hospital policy are not negotiable at all; for instance when I had a preterm labor scare at 30 wks I was told that if I *were* in preterm labor then I would have to be transferred elsewhere as hospital policy was that they only handled labor at 32 wks+ at this hospital. (Mind, I can certainly understand the rationale for that). What other kinds of likely issues would be in this category? This is really variable, and how much you can get away with can depend on how much clout your caregiver has at that particular hospital. So, if anyone can throw some light on the subject I'd really appreciate it. FWIW I'm in Canada (will be delivering in Lakeridge hospital in Oshawa, ON). Try to find women who've delivered there who have similar preferences to yours. It can be difficult to get a straight story from people who may have hidden agendas. Good luck, Ericka |
#3
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what does "hospital policy" really mean?
"P Harris" wrote in message om... I am afraid I am not a going-along-with-things-just-because-I'm-told-to kind of person (this is one side effect of being trained as a scientist - you get in the habit of drawing independant conclusions about things :-P), and this may be a potential problem when it comes time to give birth. So, just so that I know what the playing field is, can anyone explain to me what the status or force really IS of "hospital policy"? What does "hospital policy" actually MEAN? Well, I gave birth at a hospital with a 90% epidural rate, newborn nursery, etc. I had no IV or heplock. I just said, "No. Period. I clot too easily to have people making "just in case" punctures in my veins." "Hospital policy" said I had to be strapped to the monitor for 20 minutes. *I* said they could do that with the heart monitor but not the contraction monitor. I told them whenever i had a contraction and they wrote it on the ticker. Hospital policy said listening to the heart every so often "on the strip". I said, "Okay, but no straps. If you want it there, you hold it there." They got bored faster that way... Hospital policy said I had to give birth on the bed. I said, "No stirrups" and was sideways on the bed, with my midwife and mom holding my feet. Hospital policy said quick cord cutting and deep suction for any meconium. The doc helped me cut the cord, even though it was fast, and I stood up, shoved her out of the way and demanded my baby back when she stood blocking my view. They gave me the baby. Hospital policy said *nothing* about Leboyer immersion baths. I had to argue that one but got my way. Idiot nurse thought we wanted to fully submerse the baby and was worried she'd drown. Dingbat. Hospital policy gave every new mother a large box of medicines, stool softeners, analgesics, and a couple other things I don't remember what... I never opened the package. I walked and stomped and squatted my way through labor. I had no drugs of any kind other than the local anesthetic to repair the tear. I was not cut. I was not suctioned or forcepped or sectioned. The only time my daughter left my side was for a brief test the next day--her father was with her the whole time. And I will *never* give birth in a hospital again unless I'm deathly ill or my baby is immediate danger. Period. I'd rather do it myself than have to argue every damn thing. I snuck french bread in under my maternity clothes and ate it when the nurses weren't looking, because hospital policy said "no food." Anyway... Jenrose |
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