Un-hooked

[chattybadtz]

Can you refuse an IV or Hep block during labor? I'm 23 weeks and this is my third pregnancy. I just hate the thought of being "hooked up" to anything but a fetal monitor.

Am I being too extreme with this request or is this just hospital policy?

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Comments

[krasota]

I had no issues turning down a saline lock. I discussed it with my OB beforehand and he agreed that it wasn't necessary. I don't think he routinely places them unless a mother wants interventions.

[clovecigarettes]

I think, like what some other people have said, that it largely depends on the hospital. My first was born in the midwife-led unit of a hospital and I didn't even get offered an IV or hep-lock. My second was born in a birthing centre, where they just kind of let you go at it, so no IVs there, either. But my sister had a midwife-led birth in a hospital and she had a hep-lock, so I think it really depends on where you are. I figure you might as well ask to not have one -- it can't hurt, surely.