Hospital policy, it's not law!

How often have you heard or even said yourself, things like,

• My hospital doesn't allow that.

• My doctor/midwife said I can't/have no choice

• They don't do that at my hospital.

And many variations of can't, won't, not allowed or no choice. Most of the time these things are said because of a certain policy or procedure, and the more complicated your pregnancy and/or birth the more of these policies will be placed upon the decisions you make for your birth.

Now here comes the tricky part! Figuring out which of these policies and procedures are really in your best interest and those that are just in place to cover the buts of hospital staff.

So how can we do this? By asking questions! When you get told no or you must, ask why, ask what the risks are, ask what would happen if you insist or refuse. But most importantly do your own research get the facts, talk to other women, get a Doula!

Once you have all this information now what do you do? I mean it's hospital policy, not much you can do right? WRONG!!! There is this pesky little thing that trumps hospital policy and that is Informed Consent! Above all else this is your body your baby and your choice! Here in Australia that choice is protected by law. Also protected by law is your right to receive treatment, and what that means is that no public hospital can refuse to treat you.

Ok now you have established what hospital policy is, you have done your research and now you wish to make a decision against hospital policy what do you do next?

Well you have two options, change hospitals to one that is more supportive of the choices you have made or fight the system.

Going into a hospital and confronting a team of medical professionals telling them you wish to go against policy is no easy task and you will likely have to repeat your position to what feels like half the hospital, you will be met with resistance, doubt, questions any plenty of possible road blocks. The best way to get past these is to have people around you that have your back, it is so much easier to stand if you don't have to stand alone! Your partner, your family and friends your Doula. You want these people to understand and support the choices you are making and to back you up not only when you are strong but also when you are doubting and questioning.

I know this may sound scary and hard and while that can definitely be the case it's not always, there are definitely times you will have hospital staff that will go out of their way to help you navigate hospital policy and get the birth you want so don't be afraid to ask the questions! And remember that every time you do fight you are not only fighting for your birth but for every birthing woman.

Your birth matters! Trust yourself and believe in yourself because you've got this!