You can refuse anything during birth, which is your right at a patient and as a human.
The hospital cannot force any procedure or check on you although it can complicate the pregnancy.
Commonly refused interventions during birth are cervical exams, continuous electronic fetal monitoring, IV fluids, artificial rupture of membranes, breaking your water, induction or augmentation like Pitocin, epidurals, eating and drinking, refuse specific positions, and a routine episiotomy, which is a surgical cutting of your perineum that is often unnecessary.
Cervical exams can be uncomfortable and are not always medically necessary, especially if your labor is progressing well.
You can also refuse to stay in bed and choose to move, stand, sit or lie on your set and you can generally eat and drink what you prefer during labor, despite some hospital policies.
You also have the right to refuse pain medication during labor and birth, but you should understand the effects of other interventions that may follow.
Artificial rupture of membranes or breaking your water can increase infection and is not always beneficial.
Routine IV fluids are not always needed during labor and birth and can sometimes even cause issues, so you can refuse the IV fluids if you're low risk.
And continuous electronic fetal monitoring can restrict movement, and intermittent monitoring doppler is an alternative for low risk and unmedicated labor.
Before going to the hospital you will be between 4 to 6 centimeters or cm dilated, with strong and regular contractions, although it also depends on your doctor's advice and how far you're away from the hospital and if your water breaks.
If you're currently in early labor and less than 4 to 6 cm dilated, you may be sent home to wait for stronger contractions, although having any decreased baby movement, significant bleeding or your water breaking during pregnancy are all good reasons to go to the hospital.
Active labor is when you're around 4 to 6 cm dilated, with contractions that come every few minutes and lasting longer and feeling stronger.
If your water breaks, even without any contractions you should go to the hospital and if you have significant bleeding like a heavy period or you notice significant drops in the activity and movement of your baby you should go to the hospital immediately.
Another good rule to follow to tell you when to go to the hospital for labor is the 3-2-1 rule in pregnancy which is also a guideline that helps you know when you should go to the hospital for labor, which means that when contractions are 3 minutes apart, last around 2 minutes or a minute and longer, for at least 1 hour and you can't talk or walk through the contractions you should go to the hospital.
The 3-2-1 rule in pregnancy and contractions occurring at these times is a signal for active labor, although other variations of this rule also exist like the 5-1-1 rule.
The 5-1-1 rule in pregnancy which is a common guideline that is used in late pregnancy to help you determine when you should go to the hospital or birthing center for true labor.
The numbers 5-1-1 refer to the frequency, duration and consistency of your contractions.
At 5 minutes apart, contractions are coming every 5 minutes, which is measured from the start of one contraction to the start of the next contraction.
1 minute long, each contraction lasts for a full minute.
And 1 hour long, the contractions have consistently followed the 5-1-1 pattern for at least 1 hour.
However this 5-1-1 rule is a general guideline and not a strict rule or instruction.
You should also discuss with your doctor or OB-GYN or midwife in advance on when you should head to the hospital for the labor.
A high risk pregnancy or a previous rapid birth might require different timing.
And true labor contractions will get progressively longer, stronger and closer together and will not stop with rest or changes in position.
False labor or Braxton Hicks contractions are often irregular and may also ease up if you do move around.
Some doctors also recommend variations like the 4-1-1 rule or the 3-1-1 rule, which indicates the contractions are 4 or 3 minutes apart, respectively lasting one minute for an hour and regardless of the pattern of contractions, you should also call your doctor or get to the hospital immediately if your water does break or you experience any heavy vaginal bleeding, or you notice any significant decrease in your baby's movement.