Mama Led Birth

When you're giving birth in a hospital, it's easy to feel like you have to go along with everything you're told. But here's the truth: you have rights in birth—and you can say no. You are the decision-maker over your body, your baby, and your birth.

Whether you're planning a natural hospital birth or just want more control over your experience, understanding your rights is the first step to feeling confident and calm.

You Can Say No to a Cervical Check

Vaginal or cervical checks are often presented as routine—but they’re not mandatory.

If you don’t want someone’s hand in your body every few hours, you can decline. Especially if:

• You're not in active labor yet
  
• You’re having a contraction
  
• You feel like it will disrupt your focus

Alternatives: Ask how your labor is progressing based on your behaviors, sounds, or contractions—not just dilation.

You Can Say No to Continuous Fetal Monitoring

Unless there’s a clear medical reason, you can ask for intermittent monitoring instead of being strapped to a machine the entire time.

Why it matters:

• You’ll have more freedom to move
  
• You can use the shower, change positions, or walk
  
• It reduces the chance of a “cascade of interventions”

You Can Say No to an IV or Fluids

Unless there’s a medical emergency, you can often opt for a saline lock (aka hep-lock) instead of being connected to constant fluids.

Staying mobile during labor is one of the best tools you have to keep labor progressing naturally—and an IV pole can slow you down.

You Can Say No to Induction or Pitocin

You always have the right to ask:

• What’s the medical reason for this?
  
• What happens if we wait?
  
• What are the risks and benefits?

If there’s no emergency, you can decline or delay.

You Can Say No to Lying on Your Back to Push

Hospital beds are designed for staff convenience, not comfort. You don’t have to give birth flat on your back.

You can:

• Push on hands and knees
  
• Use a birth stool
  
• Squat
  
• Side-lying
  
• Stand and lean on your partner

Movement = more space in your pelvis = less tearing + shorter pushing.

You Can Say No to Newborn Procedures (or Delay Them)

After birth, you can say no to—or delay—common newborn procedures like:

• Eye ointment
  
• Hep B vaccine
  
• Cord clamping
  
• First bath

Many parents choose to delay procedures until after golden hour and initial bonding.

Remember: Consent Is Ongoing

You can change your mind. You can ask for more time. You can say, “Not right now,” or “I need to understand my options.”

Saying no doesn’t make you “difficult. It makes you informed.

✅ Want Help Asserting Your Rights Without Conflict?

Get Access to my free Calm Birth Plan Toolkit to:

• Create a hospital birth plan that actually gets followed
  
• Learn exactly what to include (and what makes nurses respect it)
  
• Get language that makes your preferences clear, confident, and collaborative

👉 Access the Calm Birth Plan Toolkit Now

Love,

Jen