Communication with your doctor is very important during pregnancy. Having a doctor you can talk to will make all the difference in the world. Discuss your health prior to pregnancy and your philosophy about pregnancy, labor and delivery early in your pregnancy to be sure the provider you’ve chosen is a good match.
Begin to open the lines of communication at your very first prenatal visit. Your doctor will take your medical history during this visit. Be open and honest about your history, any chronic conditions you have and lifestyle concerns, such as drinking or smoking, which may affect your baby. If you smoke or drink, your doctor can help you find a way to stop.
Certain chronic medical conditions need special attention during pregnancy. Diabetes can be dangerous for both the expecting mom and baby if left untreated or not managed well. Be sure to discuss your diet and medications with the doctor. He or she will want to keep track of your sugar and weight gain. Asthma is another condition which can become worse during pregnancy. Be sure to discuss your condition and treatment with the doctor.
Your health prior to your pregnancy isn’t the only area where communication is needed. Your wishes and preferences for care during pregnancy, labor and delivery are also very important. If you believe in a natural birth with no medications, want to delay cutting the cord and avoid interventions, discuss this early on with your doctor. If he is the type who believes in medically managing every aspect of labor and delivery, it may not be a good match.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the doctor’s philosophy and practice. Many patients are intimidated by doctors and avoid addressing these issues. Labor is not the right time to bring these things up. Ask about the percentage of his patients who end up having c sections. Ask about episiotomies, IVs, induction and other interventions. If you want to avoid these things and he does them routinely, you may want to search for another provider.
A good way to open the conversation is with your birth plan. If you’ve researched labor and delivery and know what you want, put it down on paper. Bring it to the doctor as a way to let him know your desires and to get an idea of his feelings on the subject. You want a provider who will respect and honor your plan. If he dismisses it, you may want to dismiss him. The earlier in pregnancy you do this the better for you and your baby.