Natural Birth

Intro and some questions

Hi ladies - I have been stalking/reading your birth stories/etc for a while, but it's time to finally intro!  Our first LO is due in April, and I am intending on having a med free birth.  I am still deciding between a hospital setting or a birth center setting (I'll decide after I take tours of both facilities/get questions answered). 

So, I have an appointment with my OB today, and I want to start discussing my birth plan/wishes with him to get a feel for how NB friendly he is.  What questions should I ask him, vs. what questions should I ask the hospital during the hospital tour?  I'm not sure which things are necessarily hospital policies vs. doctor's policies in a lot of cases. 

 My questions for him so far are:

1.  What is your c-section rate?

2.  How far past my due date will you allow me to go without interventions?

3.  What interventions would be suggested at that point?

...what else should I be asking him?  I have a lot of other questions (i.e. fetal monitoring, eating/drinking during labor, laboring in multiple positions) but those seem more like hospital policy questions...

Thanks in advance ladies!

12 weeks 1 day - FIST PUMP!
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Baby Boy born 4/8/13 9lbs
BFP #1 EDD 12.18.12 - Missed M/C at 9w3d D&C 5.22.12

Re: Intro and some questions

  • How long should I labour at home for
    episiotomies
    pushing positions
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  • How long after admission will you be allowed to labor prior to augmentation being recommended?
  • Congrats on your pregnancy!  

    I think this is what you mean by your #3, but ask specific questions about how inductions proceed. Cytotec, cervadil, or foley bulb to help initially, when to break your waters, start pitocin and on what dose (and option to turn it off once you establish a regular contraction pattern).

    Under what circumstances would he recommend to you to get an epidural?

    I also like the suggestion of pushing positions.

    If he's part of a group of OBs, ask how often he's on call and if the other docs are NB friendly as well.

    You seem to have the line right about what he controls vs the hospital.

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    #3 Due April 2016
  • Thanks so much ladies - these are very helpful!  I'll let you know how it goes!
    12 weeks 1 day - FIST PUMP!
    image  Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Baby Boy born 4/8/13 9lbs
    BFP #1 EDD 12.18.12 - Missed M/C at 9w3d D&C 5.22.12
  • imagehvtang:

    Hi ladies - I have been stalking/reading your birth stories/etc for a while, but it's time to finally intro!  Our first LO is due in April, and I am intending on having a med free birth.  I am still deciding between a hospital setting or a birth center setting (I'll decide after I take tours of both facilities/get questions answered). 

    So, I have an appointment with my OB today, and I want to start discussing my birth plan/wishes with him to get a feel for how NB friendly he is.  What questions should I ask him, vs. what questions should I ask the hospital during the hospital tour?  I'm not sure which things are necessarily hospital policies vs. doctor's policies in a lot of cases. 

     My questions for him so far are:

    1.  What is your c-section rate?

    2.  How far past my due date will you allow me to go without interventions?

    3.  What interventions would be suggested at that point?

    ...what else should I be asking him?  I have a lot of other questions (i.e. fetal monitoring, eating/drinking during labor, laboring in multiple positions) but those seem more like hospital policy questions...

    Thanks in advance ladies!

    I would probably still ask your OB about these. My old OB said that I was required to have continous monitoring and that it was hospital policy. But in reality it was not hospital policy. The fact that she lied was one of a couple reasons why we switched providers.

    Ivy: July 2010  |  Stella: Dec 2012  |  BFP#3: MMC at 11Wk's, July 2017 | Wyatt: April 2019 | BFP#5: Twin Girls due Sept 2020

  • If you haven't already been to the doctor here is another question.

    I would ask how he feels with birthing breech or other positions, and also if he would feel the need to induce early or even c-section for a "big baby"

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  • imagewendylaine:

    If you haven't already been to the doctor here is another question.

    I would ask how he feels with birthing breech or other positions, and also if he would feel the need to induce early or even c-section for a "big baby"

    Ooh, these are good ones.

    I'm sure you've already been, but at your next appointment you could ask these, as well as:

    Do they perform versions to get baby head down if s/he is breech?

    Do they even do weight estimates? (standard practice at my OB is no u/s after the anatomy scan, so I didn't even have to worry about "big baby" threats)

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    #3 Due April 2016
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