It's Okay To Say No To Your Provider!

I made an Instagram Reel today, feel free to check it out www.instagram.com/thrivedoula/?hl=en 
The theme was, it's okay to say no to your Health Care Provider!  I wanted to elaborate a bit on that topic here.  I trust words more than algorithms.  

There reaches a time in late pregnancy when a lot will be headed your way.....you want me to put that swab where exactly????  You be asked to do things that you may not want to do and the truth is, most of these things have nothing to do with the health of your baby.  So what am I referring to?

• Cervical checks, typically around 38 weeks gestation (depending on your provider), your Doctor will want to preform a physical exam on your cervix.  This will provide some information about what's happening with your cervix.  But that information won't tell you if you are going to into labour tomorrow or in 9 days.  You can say, no thanks!
• Weighing you, if you have Gestational Diabetes,  your Provider knowing your weight may inform them on your well being. It may spiral into an unnecessary induction conversation (even if your GDM) is well controlled).  If being weighed is triggering for you, it's okay to say no.  If you feel like your Provider should have this information, they can weigh you without telling you the number. 
• Stretch and sweep, evidence is loose at best if this helps in any way before 40 weeks.  And not amazing evidence that they are super helpful after that point.  They are uncomfortable, often cause cramping and spotting.  If you are at 40+weeks and trying to avoid an induction, it is something to consider in an effort to get labour started.  But again, if you never want one, you can decline.
• Induction for soft reasons, people get induced for a whole gaggle of "hard" and medically necessary reasons, some examples are, preeclampsia, prenatal high blood pressure, uncontrolled Gestational Diabetes, sometimes IVF folx...the list goes on.  But a "suspected" big baby, controlled GDM, your pregnancy reaching 41 weeks (with a happy baby in there), and older birthing people who have no known risk factors are typically soft reasons.  Believe me this list could go on.

The moral of the story and the bottom line is, if you and your baby are doing well, it is absolutely okay to assert your autonomy.  Know the risks and benefits for you and baby so you can make an informed decision.  You may get some push back from asserting your wishes to your Provider, this isn't always easy.  But you have the right to supportive care and to have your wishes respected.