There are SO many questions! I just don't know where to start!
Let’s be honest, there are THOUSANDS of potential questions to have for your provider during pregnancy! We have taken the time to narrow down a list of The Top 10 Questions to be sure that you cover with your care team, whether that includes an Obstetrician or a Midwife as your primary care provider. Hopefully you will find this helpful on your pregnancy journey and be able to get all of your questions answered!
Top Ten Questions from the How 2 Mom Team:
*In no particular order!*
1) What is your philosophy on birth and your role in it?
You want to know that the person helping you bring your little one into the world has the same core values as you and your partner. This should be a very open and honest relationship where you feel comfortable asking your provider ANYTHING! Be sure to take your time finding the right care provider to fit in with your birth team. This person will be a part of your memories for the rest of your life.
2) What is your standard postpartum and newborn care procedure?
It’s always good to have an idea of what your providers “standard procedure” for mom and baby is. Do they support delayed cord clamping? Immediate skin to skin? What are their recommendations? Do these recommendations align with the preferences of you and your partner?
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3) What's your cesarean, induction, and natural birth rate?
Knowing your provider’s history, experience level, and percentages may give you more insight into their practice, and hopefully a peace of mind.
4) What does prenatal care with your practice look like?
How many visits will you attend? How many ultrasounds? Is birth minimally invasive? How much monitoring will their be during labor? Getting an idea of how prenatal care looks with your OB/Midwife is important so that you can feel comfortable with the person caring for you and your precious bundle.
5) What happens if I'm "overdue"?
There is a reason why the word overdue is in parentheses! Different care providers have different care plans in this department! Be sure to ask how they handle being past your due date so you can have an idea ahead of the time. Babies all choose their own day to enter the world! A “due date” is more of a guideline than the ACTUAL day baby will for sure be making an appearance!
6) What happens if there is a pregnancy complication?
Knowledge is power. It is always comforting to know how your care provider handles complications. It’s also good to know where they may refer you to if you need to seek further opinion. This way you can do your research ahead of time and feel more at ease if any complications arise.
7) Where do you deliver babies?
You want to know ahead of time where you will be bringing your little one into the world. A great idea is to schedule a tour at a time both your and your partner are able to go. This way, you can learn all the ins/outs of that specific facility! You also want to be sure to know where to check in at which hours of the day and where to park. Nobody wants to rush in during labor and not make it to the correct door!
8) How does the on-call schedule work at your practice?
Another follow up question we recommend is how your care provider handles “on-call” times when they are not scheduled to be in clinic. Different facilities operate in various ways and it is calming to know what the after hours process may entail. What happens if you go into labor and the provider you have followed with is not presently in-clinic?
9) Do you include nutrition education?
We’ve all heard the do/don’ts about different foods during pregnancy; but is your provider’s outlook on nutrition and what recommendations do they make? Ask your provider specific questions, and make sure you both are on the same page, and that you feel supported in this area!
10) Can I continue taking my present supplements/medications?
You want to make sure that there are no contraindications with any of your present meds/supplements for baby’s safety. It’s better to know all of the possible risks/benefits so that your are able to make an informed decision, rather than to just guess what is safe or not. Many providers will supply you with a list of pregnancy safe over-the-counter medications for different health concerns such as a headache, cough, ect. Be sure to ask yours if they have a list your can take home with you for a quick reference guide!
And that's all folks!
We hope that this list has given you some guidance on how to find the right care provider for your growing family! As always, if you have any questions or suggestions, we would LOVE to hear from you! Wishing you much love and a wonderful pregnancy and birth journey.
Love,
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