Questions to Ask Your OB or Midwife
Did you know that one of the most important factors in determining how satisfied you are with your birth experience depends upon the OB or midwife that you choose to support you?
You will quickly get a sense if you are with the right provider by asking a few of the following questions. Even if you've already chosen your midwife or OB practice, asking these questions can help you know what to expect from their support
- Why did you choose to become a midwife or OBGYN?
- What is most rewarding to you about this work?
- What is your primary goal as my care provider?
- How often am I likely to see you during my labor?
- How many providers are in your practice? How likely is it that you’ll be present for my birth?
- How does the on-call schedule work at your practice? Can I meet all of the providers before giving birth?
- What are your thoughts on doulas? Do you have any recommendations? (NOTE: You do not need permission from your provider to have a doula present at your birth but knowing how a provider feels about doulas is very telling.)
- What labor procedures do you do routinely? What are the most common reasons for these procedures?
- At what point in my pregnancy, should I go beyond 41 weeks, will there be a discussion on induction?
- What is your personal cesarean rate? What is your hospital’s cesarean rate? What is the most common reason for these cesareans?
- Can I give birth in a squatting position or on hands and knees, if that feels best to me?
- How will you help me protect my perineum during pushing?
- Under what scenario would you want to offer Pitocin or break my water?
- Can I eat and drink while in labor?
- What natural methods do you suggest to alleviate labor pain?
- Can you tell me what the first few minutes after birth will look like for me and my baby?
After considering your birth preferences and asking the questions that feel most important to you, you should have a very clear sense that you are with the right provider.
Red flags include a provider who is irritated, defensive, or annoyed by your questions or one who provides scare-tactics, sarcasm, or patronizing answers. If that’s the case, you may choose to continue your search. Ideally, your provider should be pleased to answer any question you have with patience, respect, and openness.
Remember, you are the service user here.
