Find Your Perfect OB

The foundation for a great birth is shared decision making, realistic expectations and a birth team with the same goals. There is only one way to create that foundation - it is built with good COMMUNICATION.

You have a chance to ask your provider questions at every appointment. The answers will help you understand your options and form realistic expectations.  Do you notice any “red flags” in these conversations? Does the provider answer your questions in comprehensive ways without pushing them off until a later date?

For example, the helpful answer to “How often do you cut an episiotomy?” is not “as often as necessary” since some OBs will find it necessary almost always and some almost never. Changing up the question to “Under what circumstances do you cut an episiotomy, and how often do your see those circumstances occur?” will get you more complete information to help you understand how what kind of care you can expect your perineum to receive on the big day. A provider who answers, “we can talk about that when we get closer” is sending up a red flag as not answering is both dismissive of your desire for information and efforts to create an atmosphere of shared decision making.

How do you want to be cared for during your labor and birth?

Here are some questions we suggest, there are more of course, but this will get your started. It is our recommendation to pick the most important questions you have and ask those at early appointments then ask a few more each time you see your provider. If you don’t love the answers, the earlier you ask the more time you have to explore your options and perhaps considering changing providers.

• Do you recommend ultrasounds to check a baby’s size? If so, how will that effect your recommendations concerning my birth? Is this different if I am planning a VBAC?

• In what circumstances would you suggest an induction and what methods of induction do you most often use? Does this differ if I am planning a VBAC?

• In what circumstances, would you suggest labor augmentation?

• How will my baby be monitored during labor?

• Will I be free to move, walk and change positions?   Is this different if I am planning a VBAC.

• Are laboring women given a routine IV or a hep lock?  

• May I drink water in labor? How do you feel about eating during labor?

• Will there be time limits on the length of my labor or pushing?  

• When do you prefer I come to the hospital?

• What is your policy if my water breaks prior to contractions starting?

• Should I have a Cesarean birth, do you support immediate skin to skin in the OR, delayed cord clamping and does your facility provide a clear drape during the surgery?

• If I am planning a VBAC, what would lead you to recommend a Cesarean birth rather the vaginal?

• Will there be limits on what positions I might use to push?

• Under what conditions will you consider a c-section?  If a c-section is performed, who will be allowed in the operating room?

• What percentage of the deliveries you attend are cesarean deliveries?

• Is breastfeeding encouraged immediately after delivery?

• Is delaying cord clamping until the cord no longer pulses routine?  If it is not, will you do it upon request?

• Will my baby ever be taken from us?  If so, under what circumstances?

After you and your care provider have discussed these questions you will need to evaluate your situation. You may want to talk to your doula or child birth educator. They can help you research the evidence based answer as well as explore your own concerns and desires. While there is lots of good research about how to have the safest birth possible, birth involves accessing intuition as well. You may just have a “spidey sense” about something being off - and that’s fine too.

Overall though, does your care provider support the birth that you are planning? Does the hospital where your OB works support your plan and, just as important, does it support the OB in supporting you. If not either is a NO, how will that lack of support affect your birth plan and how comfortable are you making some compromises.   How comfortable are you looking into options that better match your birth goals?

Knowing your options can help everyone feel more confident and increases your chances of having the birth experience you want. It also means that no matter what happens in labor, you will feel more supported, empowered and likely to have an overall positive feeling about your birth experience.

We work with OBs all over the metroplex, so we know there is really no such thing as the same care from one place to another - OBs and hospitals vary GREATLY. If you need a bit of help facilitating good communication with your OB, contact us. We can help with advice, a childbirth class or extra support.