Hospital Rejects Birth Plans

[FocusRN]

Want to have a doula or labor coach to assist at your birth? Interested in drafting a birth plan with your partner? Don't have your baby at the Aspen Women's Center in Provo, UT. The center has posted a sign in their entryway that reads:

"Because the Physicians at Aspen Women's Center care about the quality of their patient's deliveries and are very concerned about the welfare and health of your unborn child, we will not participate in a "Birth Contract", a Doulah Assisted, or a Bradley Method delivery. For those patients who are interested in such methods, please notify the nurse so we may arrange transfer of your care."

http://blogs.babble.com/strollerderby/2009/11/09/hospital-rejects-birth-plans/

And a related photoshop contest, that I found funny: http://www.theunnecesarean.com/blog/2009/11/9/and-the-winner-of-the-anti-doula-sign-photoshop-contest-is.htmlWhat do y'all think? I would personally be offended. I feel like this is telling patients, "Because we know it all, it is our way or the highway."

[kristinlpn]

Aren't these methods something your provider should discuss with you before you plan on delivering with them? It's a shame that they don't take more time with the patient to figure out what their plan of action is going to be on their big day.

[deleern]

I saw a woman s birth plan once that was .... detailed ... well I am glad I didn't have to be involved. I think some times expectations are too high.

[Nursingmom25, ADN, RN]

RETARDED...

I am a doula and that notice is RETARDED!!!!

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

I wonder why.

I can totally relate to the birth plan.

Nurses laugh at many of those, some even typed up.

But the midwife? the doula?

Have to disagree. I think they are very important to birth.

That's way too medical for me and I wouldn't have my baby there.

The birth plan on the other hand...I love telling my family and friends those get thrown out the window when the baby is in distress.....

[BabyCatchr, ADN, ASN, RN]

But a "baby in distress" is exactly why birth plans are written - not only to prevent distress, but to make sure it is diagnosed accurately. EFMs are notorious for inaccurately showing distress. Sometimes when a doppler is used or mom changes position, the distress suddenly disappears. Interventions are one cause of distress, and occasionally, real distress can be handled without surgery, ie, repositioning of fetal head in the pelvis, mom on left side or other position to get baby off cord, remove (or prevent) epidural which can cause low blood pressure, etc.