Hektore

My wife just gave birth to our first child June 28th this year. I was present for the entire experience so I might have a little insight. Also, many (many) of my similar aged friends are having children as well and we swap stories.

In terms of consent, consent for everything is given in writing. Universal experience amongst folks I have talked to. It's actually almost annoying having to sign forms between contractions. I can't imagine how my wife felt about it. We were at the hospital 3 times (my wife went into labor 6 weeks early) and each and every time the very first thing we did was sign a blanket consent form which covered everything that may need to be done during a birth. A woman in labor MUST consent to be treated as her condition in no way debilitates her into a state that consent ordinarily could be assumed. Every time an option was presented, it was presented with a consent form. It was also made clear that consent can be withdrawn at any time. To that point: My wife withdrew her consent for the episiotomy after the scissors had started to close.

Not to mention the mountain of legal requirements and the fact that 75% of what takes place in a hospital anymore is just for the hospital to cover it's ass.

When doctors/midwives/nurses come into the room, yes they are very...abrupt with the examinations.

There are a couple factors at play: 1-The person who is responsibly for your labor may also be responsible for multiple other labors. Speed is important.
2-The person has also probably ha their hands in thousands of vaginas. You get over it after a little while, trust me. I can see how it makes people uncomfortable, but having to stop and ask consent every single time before you touch a woman in labor is unreasonable.

Pearl Trade - Babies absolutely can and do get stuck during labor.

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The advantage law is the best law in rugby, because it lets you ignore all the others for the good of the game.