Whether you plan on giving birth with the assistance of an obstetrician, midwife or family practitioner, choosing your caregiver is an important decision. There are many different styles and methods of practice and stereotypes don’t always hold true. Not all obstetricians are eager to intervene no matter what and not all midwifes are sensitive, flexible and noninterventive. Ask friends for recommendations and then interview several caregivers before making your decision. Ask open ended questions to get unbiased answers. Follow up with vague answers and evaluate how comfortable you feel asking the caregiver questions when something is unclear. Pregnancy is full of surprises and new experiences; you don’t want to feel like you can’t ask a “dumb question.” Some specific questions you may want to ask are:
1. Are you board certified?
2. (If you are interviewing a midwife) Would you transfer my care to an OB/GYN – under what circumstances?
3. Will you be able to attend my birth personally, or will I likely get someone else from your practice?
4. How often do you induce labor? What circumstances will lead you to recommend an induction?
5. How do you handle slow-progressing labors?
6. Do you require an immediate IV?
7. Do you allow patients to eat or drink during labor?
8. Do you typically break the water or allow it to break naturally?
9. How do you decide whether an episiotomy is necessary? How often do you do episiotomies?
10. How often do you find a cesarean necessary? What are some ways a cesarean can be avoided?
When listening to your caregiver’s answers, look for warning signs such as scare tactics, anger, sarcasm, or vagueness. You want a practitioner who will respect your decisions and value your input about your care. It’s your body and it’s your health! If you get a bad feeling for any reason, move on and keep looking.