Questions For Your Care Provider
Birth is an intimate and transformative experience, and you deserve so much more than standard care. You deserve to understand that this is your birth, and you have the power to choose who supports you and where you are born. It is so important to explore your options, especially if you are hoping to avoid unnecessary intervention. No matter what your birth goals are, you have the right to choose a birth team that supports your birth vision and advocates for you when you are unable to advocate for yourself.
If you are hoping to avoid as many unnecessary routine interventions as possible, most of these questions are essential when choosing a care provider or learning more about your chosen care provider. Though these questions are not one size fits all, as not everyone has the same birth visions/goals, so choose the questions that you haven't thought to ask yet or those that apply to your ideal birth. You can-also use this as a guide or reference when making your own list of questions
If we have not already, we will discuss these questions further at our prenatal visits.
Questions About Your Care Provider (Their Opinions & Practices)
What is your birth philosophy?
What happens if you are not available when I go into labor?
Do you stay for the entire birth or until the end of your shift?
How much time will you spend with me during labor?
If I have birth visions/goals will they be honored?
How often do you attend unmedicated births?
Natural tearing vs. episiotomies. What's your philosophy?
When should I come to the hospital if I am avoiding as many routine interventions as possible?
How do you feel about intermittent monitoring during labor?
What is your definition of intermittent monitoring?
What positions do most of your patients push in?
How long do you give the placenta to be delivered?
What happens if I hemorrhage?
What are your views on delayed cord clamping? What is your definition of delayed cord clamping?
How far are you comfortable letting a patient go past their estimated due date?
How experienced are you with using vacuum and forceps?
What is your induction protocol?
Do you avoid cesareans unless absolutely medically necessary?
Under what circumstances do you recommend cesareans?
How long can water be broken before birth?
About the Hospital/Birth Center:
Is an anesthesiologist available 24 hours a day?
Does the hospital have mobile electronic fetal monitors? Can a doppler be used to monitor baby’s heart rate instead of EFM?
Will I have access to a bathtub/ shower during my labor?
Can I give birth in the water if there is a tub?
Does the hospital/ birth center have natural birth equipment like birth balls, peanut balls and birth stools?
Is there a lactation consultant available after my delivery?
Will my partner and doula be allowed in the OR if I need a cesarean?
How many staff are typically in the room for births?
What happens if my baby needs to go to the NICU?
What should I do if I think I'm in preterm labor?
What happens if I go into preterm labor?
Will I be able to push in whatever position is comfortable?
Can I eat and drink freely throughout my labor?
What is the hospital's cesarean rate?
Labor & Birth Choices:
Will I be informed before any procedures take place?
Will I be able to move freely throughout my labor?
Can routine newborn exams be done on my chest?
Can we do immediate skin-to-skin?
What happens if I turn down unnecessary intervention?
Interventions:
How often are vaginal exams performed during labor? What if I decline?
Will you encourage me to have continuous IV fluids?
Do you often administer Pitocin for the delivery of the placenta? What if I decline?
