Have You Interviewed Your Healthcare Provider?

So, you find out you’re pregnant and want to begin planning your birth team. By the time we meet, you’re already paired with your OB-GYN. You book a consultation with me and come prepared with interview questions. You’ll ask if I’m certified, how long I’ve been a doula, and what types of births I’ve witnessed. You may even ask for a couple of references. After all, you want to be sure that on top of my qualifications, we are compatible. I wholeheartedly support your choice (and right) to vet your doula, but I wonder, have you interviewed the person who will possibly have the greatest impact on your birth experience? Have you done research on the facility that you’ve registered to give birth in?

We tend to forget that just as you employ your mechanic, financial advisor, doula or nanny, you also employ your OB and hospital staff. You have a right to ask questions to determine if your medical provider’s care practices and beliefs align with your goals. We discuss this more in depth in the Evidence Based Birth Class. If you haven’t signed up yet, no worries! I’ve compiled a list below.

Questions to Ask Your Provider:

• Why did you become a midwife/obstetrician?

• What will our prenatal appointments look like over the course of my pregnancy?

• How will you support me in achieving my birth goals?

• What is your cesarean/induction/episiotomy rate?

• When was the last time one of your patients passed away due to childbirth-related complications?

• What experience do have with [name specific birth preference].

• Do you work well with doulas?

• If I choose to have an epidural, will my partner/support person be able to stay in the room while it’s administered? If not, why?

• What is the maximum length of time that you delay cord clamping? (Anything under 60 seconds is considered early cord clamping)

• Is there a reason why me or my partner wouldn’t be able to catch our own baby?

• What is your care plan for patients experiencing Hyperemesis Gravidarum?

• What position do your patients typically give birth in?

• Do you typically place birthing patients on a clear diet? Why or why not? (Fun fact: research supports eating and drinking during labor)

This is not an exhaustive list, but it is a good starting point. If you discover that your provider isn’t a good match but switching isn’t a realistic option for you, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act states that you can arrive at any hospital in active labor and cannot be denied care.

Happy, safe, and empowered birthing!