How To Interview Care Providers
Choosing the right care provider for your pregnancy, labor & delivery, and postpartum care is paramount. Maybe even more important than your baby registry! (*Gasp!* I said what I said!) Now before you tell me that you have had the same gynecologist since you were a teenager, let’s take a step back and consider why you might want to make a switch!
You may not have given a lot of thought as to what type of birth experience you want, and that is okay! It’s my hope that some of these questions will help and shed light on what sounds appealing to you.
The first thing I suggest is to ask around! Keep in mind, not everyone has a positive birth experience- and those with negative experiences with birth or a provider or even hospital, can be very vocal, so brace yourself for that! Talk to women you know and trust about their OB/GYNs or Midwives. What did they like or dislike about them? What was their birth experience like? Would they go back to them? What is their philosophy around pregnancy and birth? Another important topic to talk about is their induction, cesarean and VBAC (vaginal birth after a cesarean) rates. I think we as a culture set the bar a little low when it comes to childbirth (that is a post for another day!) but you deserve SO much more than “healthy mom, healthy baby”.
You should also discuss if you have any specific concerns about your pregnancy such as plus-size pregnancy, recurrent miscarriages, chronic health conditions, or a desire to pursue a VBAC. Not all providers have experience with those conditions, and while they may be willing to serve you, it is important to find out early on how they feel about those concerns or if they would suggest you seek different care.
Consider their personality and bedside manner. Do you feel comfortable with them? Do they take their time during your appointments and entertain your questions or are they rushing you out of the office? Go with your gut!
How do they feel about doula support or other support people attending your birth? Do they let mamas take the lead or does it seem like they will push interventions? Their responses to these questions are normally very enlightening.
I know it seems like a lot to consider but I promise you the effort and thought you put into this process on the front end will be worth it! You deserve to feel supported and empowered throughout this process. Your provider choice will arguably be the biggest deciding factor in how you feel about your birth. It’s also important to know that once you make a decision- you aren’t stuck! If something ever feels off or you want out, you can totally switch! Take it from me, I switched providers at 28 weeks with my third pregnancy and I’m so glad I did!
Keep in mind that the experience that was perfect for your sister or best friend, might not be the best fit for you- but it’s a good place to start in your search for a provider. Share this post with a new mama to be!