12 Questions to ask your Obstetrician

1.       Do you apply a limit to how long a labour can go for?

Birthing privately with an obstetrician does not automatically mean that your labour has a time limit on it, whether you are considered high risk or not. Asking your obstetrician their view on labour and time should be on your list.

2.       What are your thoughts and policies on breech births?

You will find some obstetricians will automatically opt for a caesarean should baby be breech so this is an important question to ask.

3.       What are your caesarean rates?

This says a lot about your obstetricians belief in supporting women birthing naturally.

4.       Do you work alongside doulas and what are your thoughts on this?

No matter how you choose to birth you have a right to the support you want. Asking this question will tell you whether your obstetrician is supportive of your support network choices.

5.       What are your recommended birthing positions?

We know now that certain positions are more ideal for birthing than others and that we as women find different positions more helpful/comfortable than others. You should feel supported to change positions and try new ones if you wish, to help progress labour and it is helpful to know your obstetricians stand on it.

6.       What does the process look like when I arrive at the hospital?

Understanding what the process will look like with your obstetrician will give you an understanding if this aligns with your birth wishes or not.

7.       What are your thoughts on epidurals?

Do they allow for half dose so you have more mobility? Do they allow for you to move around? If this is important to you, it is important to ask.

8.       What is your process for induction and what methods do you suggest/use?

There are different ways for induction to be introduced. Asking these questions and doing your own research will give you time to consider your options and how you feel about them. It is also worth asking what their policies (remember policy is not law) are in regards to slowing induction down or stop it all together if asked by the mother.

9.       What is your birth philosophy?

This will tell you what their thoughts and beliefs are in regards to women and their ability to birth naturally. Their beliefs will heavily affect their recommendations and how they wish proceed once you are in their care.

10.   Who is your back up obstetrician and will I meet them?

Everyone takes holidays and gets sick, including obstetricians. Who are their back up? Will you be meeting this person during your pregnancy? All these questions should also be asked to their back up to ensure they also are supportive of your birth plan and wishes.

11.   Have you looked at my birth plan? What are your thoughts?

This will tell you if they have invested time in to getting to know you and your wishes for bringing you baby here.

12.   Are there any stages through my birth plan you see as not an option?

If this is a yes, I’d recommend asking further questions to make sure none of these arise and are questioned while you are in labour.