Newly pregnant? Now what??? Selecting a pregnancy care and birth provider might be the most impactful decision you make. It can feel like an urgent choice to make, but between that positive test and the typical first appointment (about 8 weeks pregnant), take some time to consider what kind of birth experience you want. Research the options available in your area, take a look at this post on Finding the Right Birth Care Provider for You for some ideas. And then step into each interview knowing that this is your baby, your pregnancy, and your birth experience. You deserve to feel respected and supported.
My questions and priorities might (even should!) differ from yours because we are different people. But we should all be looking for the same things in the way we’re responded to:
✨are they listening to me attentively?
✨are they quick to dismiss or belittle my questions or concerns?
✨are they making me feel inexperienced or dumb?
✨are they saying yes too quickly or telling me that birth is too unpredictable to make plans for?
✨are they making me feel fearful or worried about birth or suggesting it’s by default unsafe?
✨are they citing research and “evidence” in a way that dismisses my preferences?
Take the time and energy to find the *right* provider for you. Switch providers, get second opinions, and educate yourself. The provider and practice you choose impacts pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period in immeasurable ways.
There are some really good ones out there. And you deserve respectful, client centered care.
1. How do you manage on-call schedules and how many providers could be there for my birth? Continuity of care is associated with risk-reduction. As much as possible, I want to get to know my provider(s) and they should know me.
2. What is your cesarean birth rate? I want my provider not only to know it, but to be proud of it compared to the national average (about 30%).
3. How do you approach pregnancy beyond 40 weeks? I want to hear my provider acknowledge how normal it is, especially for first babies. I also want them to share that induction does not come without risk. Standard practice of induction at 39 or 40 weeks would be a major 🚩for me.
4. How do you ACCOMMODATE & PRIORITIZE movement in labor & Birth? Ask about how invasive their monitoring tools/policies are, what the birth environment is like (area for movement, any special tools available in every room, etc), and what positions the care team is experienced supporting for pushing and birth.
5. I plan on SIGNIFICANTLY delayed cord clamping and want to confirm you'll support that. If their response is - "We already do that!" - I would clarify the amount of time. Many providers consider 60 seconds enough of a delay. I want to feel confident that they will support a minimum of a few minutes/until the cord is completely done pulsing, even if it's not their policy.
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