10/22/2019 0 Comments Questions to ask your OBFinding a birth team that is on the same page as you with your birth preferences is so important. Here are some questions to think about as you interview Obstetrician's. Remember that OB's are trained in high risk births and surgery. If you are wondering if they may be the best care option, see my previous blog Birth Options in Perth.
1. Are you available for my Estimated due month? (38 weeks to 42 weeks) While they may be happy to take you on regardless, is their own holidays going to lead for a push for intervention to fit them? Would it make you uncomfortable to have a different OB for part of your care? If you are a private patient paying for continuity of care and this isn’t available, does this make public or midwife care more appealing? (some OB’s may not be willing or be obliged to give this information but it is worth asking) 2. Who is the back up for if you are called to another emergency while I am in labour? Will you be comfortable with this person/back up plan? Is this person also in line with your birth plan? What will your OB do to ensure your comfort and continuity of care. 3. What are your individual c-section rates as well as those of the hospital? WHO (World Health Organization) recommends a rate of 15%. If the OB has a high number- does this mean they are inexperienced in physiological birth and how to support this? If a caesarean is part of your plan, high numbers and experience can be reassuring. 4. What are your induction rates and what do you consider a reason to induce? Similar to the above- does this OB know how to support an uninterrupted birth process? Are their reasons to induce labour evidence based or on a case by case basis? Will they assume, or pressure you to have baby by a certain date (linking to question 1, they may also may not make themselves as available to you on the assumption you will have for sure had baby by x date) 5. Are you trained and feel comfortable supporting a vaginal breech delivery (or other variations such as twins)? Breech is a variation of normal and does not necessarily mean a planned c-section is required however most medical providers have lost this skill and it can be a push for intervention. OB’s are unlikely to support this and it would mean a transfer. 6. Third stage labour management and options? Just as you have options in the management of the birth of your baby, you also have options in the delivery of the placenta. Do they know how to support, and have experience in, an intervention free third stage? 7. Postpartum care plan and support- what services or care is available or provided? Having a postpartum plan is as important as a birth plan. What services and support will the OB continue to provide or refer you to? Is there a lactation consultant or physiotherapist they can provide? What visits or checks will be done and at what time frame? 8. How many of your patients have a physiological, intervention free, birth? Is this person the best option to support something they have never seen or rarely seen? Unfortunately, the number of women having an intervention free birth is on the decline in Australia. Are they doing anything to increase or support physiological birth? 9. What are your thoughts on hypnobirthing, doulas or birth photography and will you be supportive of me using these? These questions are not to ask the OB permission but whether their philosophy matches your own. If they say no you may not be on the same page. Best to know before you butt heads down the line or pay deposits. Are they tolerant or all for these tools and know how to work as a team to ensure the birth experience YOU want? 10. Are you supportive of and able to perform maternal led caesarean/ gentle caesarean if the need arises? This request may need to be discussed or set up in advanced or only available in certain circumstances. It will require the OB to be aware of these techniques and supportive of the care plan. 11. What kind of monitoring options are available to me? Continuous monitoring can have the mother feeling as if she is confined to the bed, limiting birth position options as well as other research to suggest they do not increase the number of better outcomes in low risk pregnancy. Does this location have wireless monitoring to allow you to move around or support intermittent monitoring? 12. How are you supportive of me creating an ideal physical birth environment? Can you take control of the room, bring birth balls (if not provided), play your own music or have essential oils in the room etc? Does this location provide some comfort measures such as birth balls, low lighting and water? Are they open to putting medical equipment out of view? 13. Should I write a birth plan? What things should I include? If the answer is ‘you don’t need one because I will take care of everything’ they are saying that you don’t get a say or an input. Find someone who is asking you what the preferences are not telling you how it will be. And a question for you to ask yourself… What vibe did you get from this OB? If you love to laugh and joke but they seem too serious, do they seem hard to answer questions or talk too much and irritate you? They may seem silly compared to how many degrees or experience they hold but having someone that you are open to speaking to and will make your birth space feel safe and supported. Pay attention to that intuition that tells you if something just seams off- no matter how well recommended this person may be. Remember that this is your individual experience and what suited your family member or friend may not be what best fits with your birth preferences.
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