Things You Can Refuse During Labor

If you’re worried about having to accept medications and interventions during labor that you don’t want, this blog post is for you. We’ll go over all the things you can absolutely refuse during labor and why you can feel totally justified in doing so.

pregnant woman in hospital bed with wires and machines around her

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It makes me sad that I’m even writing this blog post today. The fact that we women even have to consider asking the question “what can I refuse during labor” suggests that there’s something very wrong with our healthcare system.

So while I will lay out all the things you absolutely can refuse during labor, let’s be clear right up front: this is YOUR birth, this is YOUR body, this is YOUR baby.

I don’t care how much schooling someone has had or how many births they’ve seen or what authority they claim. No one can force you to accept anything, especially during such a special, sacred time.

Hospitals do have policies. Doctors and nurses do follow strict routines. But they do NOT have the power to say you HAVE to do anything.

So keep that in mind. You have rights. And you can and need to stand up for those.

With that said, let’s get to it. Here are all the things you can refuse during labor.

Want a cheat sheet?

What Can You Refuse During Labor?

The list of things you can choose to reject during labor—even if repeatedly offered or recommended—is long. I’ll cover each thing briefly but for more detail, click through the links I’ll add in each section.

Cervical Checks

Both during pregnancy and during labor, you can absolutely reject cervical checks (also called vaginal exams). Cervical checks can provide some information, but that info only gives you a snapshot of where you’re at in any given moment.

How dilated you are or any other measurement found through a cervical check cannot tell you how fast you’re going to progress in the next hours or minutes.

So whether cervical checks make you uncomfortable, you’re worried about infection, or anything else, you can refuse cervical checks.

Induction

We’ve all been taught that the average pregnancy is 40 weeks. In reality, that number is somewhat arbitrary. Every woman is different and due dates aren’t often super accurate. So if you are offered an induction (or pressured to accept one…) because you are approaching or past your due date, know that induction is rarely necessary, if ever.

Induction can minimize some risks but it increases others. The main risk is the possibility of accidental prematurity—meaning your baby being born before they are ready because of induction.

Induction can take the form of an IV with Pitocin, pills or gels in your vagina, a membrane sweep, a foley balloon, or other methods.

Whatever the method, you never have to accept it.

Artificial Rupturing of Membranes (Breaking Your Water)

Sometimes a care provider will intentionally put a small tear in your amniotic sac in hopes that it will trigger (or speed up) labor.

Most researchers agree that this breaking of the amniotic sac does not consistently improve labor length or outcomes—and actually increases risk to the baby in some cases. So, obviously, this is something you can safely refuse.

Hospital Admittance If Water Breaks

While we’re on the topic of breaking waters, let’s talk about timing. Sometimes a woman’s amniotic sac will rupture spontaneously before labor begins.

Most of the time, labor will begin shortly and there is no risk in letting things proceed how they will, even if it takes a day or more.

Despite that fact, it’s common for doctors to put a time limit on labor once a woman’s water breaks. In most hospitals, doctors will want labor to begin (and probably finish, too) within 24 hours of the water breaking.

But time limits and stress never helped any woman give birth effectively.

If you go to the hospital after your water breaking, you’ll probably get hooked up to an IV with antibiotics, receive cervical checks, and maybe even be given Pitocin to induce or augment labor.

IVs

A lot of women wonder if they can choose not to have an IV during labor. This is a good example of the sticky situation women are in when they give birth in hospitals.

Technically, yes, you can refuse an IV. That said, it will probably be a bit of a fight. IVs are routine and provide the quickest way to give you antibiotics, liquids for hydration, and doses of Pitocin.

If you get an epidural or a c-section you will almost certainly get an IV so that you can receive pain medication and avoid dehydration and other complications.

So, in short, you can refuse an IV. But of all the things you may have to fight for, you may find this to be a lower priority.

Pitocin

Pitocin is a synthetic form of oxytocin, a hormone our bodies naturally produce. It is given during labor either as a form of induction or to augment (speed up and strengthen) labor.

Pitocin does strengthen contractions, but it also causes them to be closer together and longer. And those three things combined make Pitocin contractions much more painful than natural ones.

Because of that, Pitocin is one element in what I call the “fetal distress cycle.”

When a woman experiences those painful Pitocin contractions, she’s much more likely to want an epidural. If she gets an epidural it will likely help with the pain, but it’s also likely to make contractions less effective. That begins the cycle.

More Pitocin is given to strengthen contractions but also makes them more painful, so the epidural is upped too.

And the whole time, the baby is feeling it all. The extra strong contractions will likely cause a decrease in blood and oxygen flow to the baby which will be picked up by the fetal monitors. If the distress continues for long, the doctor will probably recommend a c-section.

Electronic Fetal Monitoring

In the hospital, it’s routine for a woman to have two stretchy bands wrapped around her belly: one to monitor the contractions and one to monitor the baby. These bands are usually left on throughout all of labor.

While there isn’t necessarily inherent harm in wearing them, they can be uncomfortable. And they can cause real problems.

We humans tend to see problems even when there may be none. That tendency is only amplified in doctors who are trained in recognizing and treating disease and distress.

If the monitoring systems show indicators of possible distress, doctors may jump to conclusions and intervene (with medication or a c-section) even when it actually wasn’t needed.

Plus, many women report that while wearing fetal monitors, nurses who come to check on them pay more attention to the reports from the machine than Mom herself.

The crazy thing is, the research shows that there is next to no benefit to using continuous electronic fetal monitoring (which is what those stretchy bands do). In fact, electronic monitoring increases the likelihood of c-section and instrumental birth.

It is better for mom and baby if care providers monitor intermittently with a doppler or other device.

You can confidently refuse continuous fetal monitoring knowing the evidence backs you up.

Epidurals

Around 70% of women choose to get an epidural during labor—but that doesn’t mean you have to. There are other ways to cope with contractions, and it’s worth knowing that epidurals do come with some potential downsides.

They can…

slow labor down
raise your risk of needing a vacuum or forceps delivery, or even a c-section
cause side effects like low blood pressure, fever, or a heavy “dead leg” feeling
make it harder to move freely or feel what’s happening in your body
make early breastfeeding a bit trickier

That said, some women have a great experience with an epidural and experience no complications at all. You don’t need to fear it—but you do deserve to be fully informed.

If you decide you’d rather go without one—even if your only reason is wanting to stay totally present and in tune with your body—that’s your choice. You can say no.

Catheters (and the Cascade)

It’s fairly common for women in labor to have a catheter inserted into their bladder—but this usually only happens if they’ve had an epidural.

Because epidurals can make it hard (or impossible) to get up and walk to the bathroom, a catheter is used to keep the bladder empty during labor.

This highlights an important reality of hospital birth: some interventions come as a package deal. You might not always be able to say yes to one thing and no to another. For example, choosing an epidural typically means you’ll also have a catheter and continuous fetal monitoring.

This domino effect even has a name: the cascade of interventions. One decision often leads to another—and another. That’s why being informed ahead of time really matters.

Opioids

Women are sometimes given opioids for pain relief during labor. These medications—like Fentanyl, Demerol, Stadol, Nubain, and Morphine—can be administered through an IV or included as part of an epidural.

Opioids may take the edge off contractions, but they don’t usually eliminate the pain entirely. Many women describe them as helping a little but not dramatically.

Because the pain relief can be mild, the potential downsides are important to consider. Opioids can affect your baby’s heart rate and breathing at birth, may cause side effects like nausea or itching for you, and have been linked to challenges with early breastfeeding.

If opioids don’t feel like the right fit for you, know that you can absolutely decline them. It’s your body, your baby, your call.

Epidurals = Opioids?

Yes—most epidurals contain both a local anesthetic and a small dose of an opioid. This combo helps manage pain more effectively, but it also means some of the same risks still apply.

If you’re considering an epidural, it’s worth knowing what’s in it and how it works, so you can make a decision that feels right for you.

Food and Drink Restrictions

In most hospitals, the standard policy during labor is NPO—short for nil per os, or “nothing by mouth.” This usually means no food and only ice chips or small sips of water.

But here’s the thing: there’s little to no evidence supporting this restriction for normal, healthy labor. And giving birth is one of the most physically demanding things your body will ever do. It makes sense that you’d need fuel to keep going.

Exhaustion can be a real factor in how labor unfolds. The more depleted you are, the more likely you may be to want or need interventions like an epidural or assisted delivery.

Most hospitals will default to IV fluids (to maintain hydration) and discourage eating. If this matters to you, ask about the policy at your birth location ahead of time. That way, you can plan with full awareness of what to expect.

It’s possible you’ll get some pushback if you decide to eat during labor—but ultimately, no one can force you to go without. This is your body, your labor, and your decision.

If you feel like eating or drinking in labor, you absolutely can.

A Certain Person In Your Room

If there’s someone in your birth space who’s making you uncomfortable—whether it’s a nurse, a staff member, or even a well-meaning relative—you have every right to ask them to leave. And not just temporarily. You can request that they not return for the rest of your stay.

Your birth environment matters. Feeling safe, supported, and respected can make a big difference in how your labor unfolds.

I’ve heard plenty of stories where partners stepped up and firmly advocated for their laboring wife—refusing to let a negative or unsupportive nurse back in the room. And you can do the same, or ask someone to advocate on your behalf.

It’s your room, your experience, your call.

Lying in Bed

For many women, lying in bed is actually one of the most uncomfortable ways to labor. You have the right to move, change positions, stand, kneel, squat—whatever feels best to you—not just during labor but for the moment of birth too.

That said, certain interventions can limit your mobility. Things like continuous monitoring, an epidural, or IV fluids may make it harder to move freely or change positions later on.

So it’s worth considering how early decisions might impact your options down the line. If staying mobile matters to you, talk with your provider ahead of time about how to keep that freedom as much as possible.

Also, practicing different labor positions beforehand can help you feel more confident and prepared to move when the time comes.

Episiotomies

An episiotomy is a surgical cut made in the vaginal opening to assist with delivery. For many years, doctors believed it could help speed up labor, protect the pelvic floor, and prevent severe tearing.

However, research has shown that episiotomies do none of these things. In fact, they often lead to more severe tearing, make recovery more difficult, and don’t accelerate labor at all.

While episiotomies are less common now, there are still stories of women being given one despite expressing a desire to avoid it.

If you’d prefer to avoid this procedure, make sure to clearly communicate your wishes with your doctor or midwife before labor begins.

C-sections

In the U.S., the c-section rate is around 33%, which means one in three birthing women have a cesarean. While c-sections are sometimes necessary and life-saving, many are performed without medical necessity.

In many cases, it’s possible to continue laboring safely, without significant risk to you or your baby. If a c-section is suggested, take time to ask questions and understand both the risks of the procedure and the potential benefits of continuing labor.

It’s also important to know that having a c-section with your first baby can increase the likelihood of needing one in future pregnancies. So, if you feel it’s the right choice for you, you can absolutely refuse a c-section and explore other options.

Newborn Procedures and Tests

Although this happens right after labor, it’s still an important part of your birth experience. After giving birth, your brand new baby will likely go through a series of procedures and tests in the hospital—many of which you may not know you can refuse.

Some of these include:

Cord clamping
Skin-to-skin and bonding time
Initiating breastfeeding
Bathing
Measuring
Antibiotic eye ointment
Hepatitis B shot
Vitamin K shot
Newborn blood test
And more…

You have choices when it comes to your baby’s care. Being informed about these options ahead of time will help you make decisions that align with your values and give both you and your baby a better experience.

READ MORE >> What Happens To Baby After Birth?

Tips to Make Refusing Things Easier

The last thing you’re going to want to spend your energy on during labor is learning about your options and advocating for yourself. So I want to give you some tips on what you can do now to make it easier to get what you want—and not get what you don’t—during labor.

Get Educated Now

First and foremost, spend the time and effort now to get educated on your options. This is why this blog—Give Birth Give Life—exists! I want you to be truly informed so that you can make intentional choices for you and your baby and have a beautiful birth experience.

If you start learning as soon as you know you’re pregnant, the long list of things you need to know about and decide isn’t so overwhelming.

Educate Your Husband

But don’t do all this learning on your own! Bring your husband or partner with you on your journey of understanding your body and what to expect during labor so that he can support you in the ways you need.

Dads can be a vital part of a positive birth experience, whether it be through advocating for Mom or helping her stay calm and relaxed.

Hire a Doula

If your husband isn’t able or willing to be there with you or if you want additional support, hire a doula! Doulas are trained in supporting women during labor to help the experience be as comfortable and go as smoothly as possible.

They can help with comfort measures and relaxation and can be invaluable in helping you understand hospital lingo and advocating for you.

Learn About Comfort Measures for Labor

Even if you think you’ll get an epidural (and especially if you don’t want one) I recommend you learn about comfort measures for labor. The list of possible techniques is long, but if you have a few practiced and ready you’ll likely have a much better experience.

And if you know how to handle the pain with non-medical techniques, it will be easier to refuse medications you didn’t want.

You might even impress a few nurses along the way!

Consider Alternative Birth Settings

If you’re worried about having to refuse interventions during labor, one option to consider is giving birth outside of the hospital. It might seem like a big leap at first, but a home birth or birth center may provide the environment and experience you’re hoping for, far better than a hospital can.

In a hospital, you may face more pressure to accept things like epidurals, opioids, IVs, or continuous monitoring. If avoiding these interventions feels right for you and your baby, choosing an alternative birth location can help create the experience you’re hoping for.

Conclusion: You’re the Boss

Now that you know what you can refuse during labor, take the time to review each option and get clear on what feels right for you.

Remember the tips: get educated (with your husband!), hire a doula, learn comfort measures, and consider alternative birth locations.

Most importantly, always keep in mind: YOU are in charge of your birth. This is your body, your baby, and your choice. Don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise.

Until next time,

Allison

Don’t forget to grab the cheat sheet!

How Not to Be Scared of Giving Birth

The Cascade of Interventions: Myth or Reality?

67 Quotes About Birth That You Need to Hear If You’re Pregnant

Things You Can Refuse During Labor

Want a cheat sheet?