Thursday, January 12, 2012

So, you want a natural birth - pt.2

So, you want a natural birth.  You obsessively read birth blogs and Ina May is your new hero.  Your doula is hired and your husband is actively engaging in conversations about how you envision bringing your baby into this world.  Your birth plan is coming together nicely and you've decided a hospital is the best place for you to give birth.

With your doula and your advocate husband by your side, you know you can rock a natural hospital birth.  But, are you sure your ob* will be as supportive as he claims? 

Listen to your gut.  
Listen between the lines.  
Don't be afraid to fire your doctor even if you are in your 3rd trimester.

Questions to ask to ensure your ob is as natural friendly as he claims:

1. What does a natural birth mean to you?
2.  How often do you attend planned unmedicated births?
3.  How do you feel about doulas?
4.  How do you feel about me laboring at home?
5.  What are your opinions on birth plans?
6.  What pushing positions do your unmedicated patients use?  *Run far far away if he only says the lithotomy position*
7.  Do I get an 'on-call' doctor or will you attend my labor and delivery?
8.  What is your policy about post-term births?
9.  Is delayed cord cutting and immediate skin-to-skin normal protocol?
10. Basic natural birth questions:  no iv or just a heplock?  freedom of movement during labor?  food and water?  intermittent external monitoring?  limited cervical checks?  no purple pushing?

*I am using an ob/gyn as an example but also be mindful that Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) are not automatically natural minded simply because they are a midwife.  Beware of "medwives"!

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3 comments:

Shelley said...

My goodness, these are a lot of the questions I have on my list for my OB next visit....at an early 16 weeks. Also, ask about that damn nurse not torturing me with the cervix checking. I'm fairly certain I will KNOW when it is time to push. The delivery of my last was awful (looking at you, cytotec) and I know there is a better way...maybe even perfect.
Thanks for finding all of this awesome knowledge so I can explain to my OB what I inherently already know.

Shelley said...

My goodness, these are a lot of the questions I have on my list for my OB next visit....at an early 16 weeks. Also, ask about that damn nurse not torturing me with the cervix checking. I'm fairly certain I will KNOW when it is time to push. The delivery of my last was awful (looking at you, cytotec) and I know there is a better way...maybe even perfect.Thanks for finding all of this awesome knowledge so I can explain to my OB what I inherently already know. 

LauraOMML said...

Shelley, anything is better than being induced with Cytotec!  It sounds like you are well on your way to getting the birth you want :)  As always, if you need a peptalk, let me know!

Hmmm, you made me realize that this is in no way a comprehensive list of specific questions for an ob....just more of a list to feel out whether an ob is actually as natural friendly as he is claiming.  I need to make sure that point is clear.....