Nine questions to ask a doctor before committing.
When choosing an obstetrician for prenatal care and delivery of your baby, the first thing you want to do is check if they are part of your insurance plan’s network and what your coverage includes. An unexpected medical bill is something you want to avoid [1]!
It is also important to keep in mind that your ideal childbirth plan may not match that of your doctor or the hospital they work with, so make sure to ask the following questions:
How often can you message or call?
Find out whether you will be able to message and/or call your doctor early in the morning or late at night in case of an emergency; how they feel about unscheduled telephone consultations, and whether they will be available to tend to your labor on a holiday, weekend or after-hours.
How does your doctor feel about having loved ones in the delivery room?
Even if the hospital or birth center allows for the presence of a partner, mother, friend or doula at the delivery room, the physician may have other ideas. So make sure to talk to them in advance about their policy regarding having company during labor and delivery.
In case they can’t make it to your delivery, will they provide a replacement?
Your doctor is only human, so he or she may find themselves in an emergency, sick, tending to another delivery or with a personal issue. Make sure to talk to them about how they proceed in cases such as these, and who will take care of you during labor and delivery if they can’t make it.
Can I ask additional questions during my appointments?
Some experts don’t mind talking to you in detail about medication, procedures or tests, others are a little less communicative. But remember, you are the patient and you are allowed to ask any questions you may have, just make sure to write them down before your appointment to make the process more efficient.
Can I decide for myself if I get anesthesia?
When it comes to emergencies or mandatory procedures, the doctor is the one who will decide. But in some cases it is the woman herself who will ask for or refuse pain management or an epidural . Check with your doctor and hospital for their policy on this.
What do they do if a woman starts to panic?
Your doctor will probably answer in a supportive way, but if you feel they don’t, make sure to share your feelings with them and the level of emotional support you expect from their whole team.
How do they feel about traditional medicine?
Practices such as osteopathy, acupuncture, aromatherapy, etc., are considered useful auxiliary methods by some doctors, but not by others. If this is an important issue for you, it is essential to talk to your doctor about it.
Do they work with a midwife? Can I get to know her?
Midwives can sometimes spend more time with you during labor than your doctor, so it might be a good idea to find out if your doctor works with one and to get to know her. Safe childbirth is the work of a complete healthcare team, so make sure to ask who is included in that team.
Will they be around during my whole labor?
Often, during an uncomplicated delivery, obstetricians check the expectant mother soon after she is admitted to the hospital, a couple of times during labor and then arrive just in time for the actual delivery. If you feel you need more involvement from your doctor, make sure to talk to them about this in advance.
All of these questions will not only help you obtain important information, they will also help you to get to know your doctor better. If at any time during your conversations with him or her, you feel fearful, uncomfortable or distrustful, or if you sense any type of hostility, make sure to listen to your intuition and explore your alternatives.
This article was created in association with UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency.
