Some pregnant women may feel limited in their options, and if this is you don’t be afraid to ask questions. You can exercise control over which doctor you work with throughout your pregnancy. Investigating your options, and selecting the best doctor for you and your baby, will give you better peace of mind.
Here is a list of questions to ask a doctor during the first prenatal visit to make sure this is the doctor you want acting as your birth care provider.
Questions to ask your doctor about education, experience and training.
1- What is your general philosophy regarding pregnancy, labor and birth?
2- What percentage of your patients do you actually deliver yourself? How many are attended by other doctors? What are their philosophies regarding pregnancy and birth?
3- What is your definition of low risk pregnancy and high risk pregnancy?
4- How can I get in touch with you if I have any questions?
5- How do you feel about written birth plans? Will another doctor respect the agreements you and I come to about my pregnancy, labor and delivery?
Questions to ask your doctor about hospital labor and birth policies.
6- What percentage of pregnancies end in spontaneous labor? How many are medically induced?
7- Will you allow me to eat and drink as desired during labor?
8- Are you comfortable with me assuming any position comfortable to me during labor; both first and second stage?
9- Is there a routine policy for electric fetal monitoring during labor? Can I waive this if desired and request Doppler or fetoscope use instead?
10- Can my partner and/or doula be with me throughout labor and delivery, including C-section if necessary?
Questions to ask your doctor regarding labor interventions and statistics.
11- Do you require the use of Pitocin to speed labor or can I try less invasive ways to strengthen labor first?
12- What is your episiotomy rate? What steps do you take to protect the perineum without cutting? Under what circumstances would you perform an episiotomy?
13- What is the rate of epidural use? How familiar is the staff with laboring mothers not under the influence of chemical pain relief?
14- What percentage of births are assisted through the use of forceps or vacuum extraction? Which do you use? For what reasons?
15- For what reasons would you perform a C-section? What is your C-section rate? What is the C-section rate of the physicians on-call if you aren’t available? What reasons would cause them to perform a C-section?
Questions to ask your doctor about postpartum care of mother and infant.
16- I prefer to nurse my baby right away; are you comfortable delaying the first check up if the baby is healthy and breathing normally?
17- How long do you wait to cut the cord?
18- How often are warmers used? Can I keep my baby with me instead and warm him with skin-to-skin contact if the baby is healthy?
19- Can the baby’s examination be done while he is being held by his parents?
20- For what reasons would the baby be removed from the room? What percentage of the newborns are removed from the parents room?
Many of us would never hire someone to build a house, or fix a car without meeting them, talking with them and asking them a few questions first. Your doctor should be comfortable with the questions you are asking or you should find one who is. It is perfectly acceptable to interview several doctors before selecting one to be your primary care physician. Remember, you are the one hiring a professional to perform certain services for you; it is ok to make sure this is the doctor you want before you spend your money.
Take a written list with you to your initial interview and jot down the answers so you can compare them later. During your pregnancy I suggest writing down any questions you have as you continue reading so you can be sure you ask your doctor at the next prenatal check up.
