At least the pregnancy police said sorry

We've heard the term "pregnancy police" used figuratively, to mean people who try to police pregnant women's behavior with unsolicited advice or admonishment (such as telling them not to smoke or drink or eat certain foods). But one Australian mum recently had a run in with real live pregnancy police, or Pitocin Police as Jill at The Unnecesarean called it. Her hospital wanted her to be induced because she was 12 days post-dates, but she declined since there was nothing wrong with her or the baby. When she did not show up at her scheduled induction, the hospital sent police to her door.

Rochelle Allan, who is reluctant to be induced even though her baby is 12 days overdue, was told by the hospital they intended to go ahead with the procedure when she came in.

But after speaking to her midwife following a visit to the hospital the day before, and being assured her baby was fine, she decided not to attend the hospital the next day.

Now Ms Allan is furious after the two police officers arrived on her doorstep after they were called by Bathurst Hospital.

Wanting a home birth, Ms Allan, 24, has been under the care of a private midwife and had been attending the hospital daily to monitor the baby's health.

"I couldn't believe it when I saw the police officers at my door," Ms Allan said.
"They told me they had been asked by the hospital to check on my welfare because I had not attended.

"The hospital knew I did not want to be induced and they gave me no medical reason why I should be."

Today, the health authorities responsible for the police visit issued an apology. Emphasis mine.

The Greater Western Area Health Service today offered Ms Allan an apology for the unexpected police visit, saying they just wanted to check she was alright.

"We are sorry if it ... caused her any distress but our intention was to check on her welfare," area health spokeswoman Sue-Anne Redmond told ABC Radio today.

The health service denied it was trying to pressure Ms Allan into being induced.

The irony of this last statement is just about killing me.

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