Community› The Bump Message Boards› Natural Birth
Natural Birth
New Discussion

Questions to ask my Ob about natural birth...

CaraLynn91CaraLynn91
in Natural Birth

These are what I have so far... do you think there's anything I'm missing?

-How far past my due date will you start talking about induction?

-How many of your patients deliver naturally? What's your % of C-section?

-Will I be allowed to deliver in a non-traditional position or strictly on my back?

-Will you place the baby immediately on my chest after birth?

-Is there a time limit after labor has begun you will want to induce, use pitocin, etc? 

-Can I move freely during labor?

-Do you require an IV? If so, can I have a heplock instead?

-Will you wait for the cord to stop pulsating before having SO cut it? 

Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
Report Reply to Post

Re: Questions to ask my Ob about natural birth...

  • KdgTeacherKdgTeacher member

    I also mentioned having a doula and her general opinion of the nursing staff and their opinion/attitude towards natural labor

    ETA: I'm in MO too. Where are you at/

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • CaraLynn91CaraLynn91
    imageKdgTeacher:

    I also mentioned having a doula and her general opinion of the nursing staff and their opinion/attitude towards natural labor

    ETA: I'm in MO too. Where are you at/

    Branson, MO! You? 

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • KdgTeacherKdgTeacher member
    imageCaraLynn91:
    imageKdgTeacher:

    I also mentioned having a doula and her general opinion of the nursing staff and their opinion/attitude towards natural labor

    ETA: I'm in MO too. Where are you at/

    Branson, MO! You? 

    STL

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • clariknittistclariknittist member
    Just a thought: do you know where you will deliver?  It turns out most of my preferences were standard procedure for the hospital, and once I took the basic class/tour that was offered, I realized I was in good hands whether my OB was in the room at the exact moment or not, which was a lot of peace of mind for me.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • sthomas1222sthomas1222 member

    You're so nice. I showed up with my birth plan and was like here. Thankfully pretty much everything I wanted was standard practice there and the rest she said wasn't unreasonable at all. But I was on the defensive after having tried to switch to a MW and ended up high-risk before I could even see them lol. I was 100% ready to jump ship again! But I was completely fair and said to her I know that a lot depends on me controlling my GD and if any other complications arose or not. OB and me have a very open dialogue and I trust her. 

    I live in VA and there's a website run by the state that allows us to see a doctor's C/S, repeat C/S, episiotomy, etc... rates.  


    image
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 

    Pregnancy Ticker
    Report Reply
  • ally2011ally2011 member

    My doula recommended not asking yes/no questions but rather make questions more conversational.  

    It might be best to write up your birth goals and take those to her for discussion.  For example, you might put "I am fine with a heplock but prefer not to be restricted to an IV unless it becomes medically necessary".  My doula also recommended keeping to to one page, things you really care about and give where you can (heplock) so you have more leverage for things you do not want to give on (IV).  

    Just some info from my conversation with mine last week :) 

    We are so thankful that our second daughter, Lillian Elizabeth "Lily", was born healthy and happy on February 11, 2013.  We love her to pieces.  

    We lost our first daughter, Hannah Grace on May 4, 2011.  She was buried on May 14 during a beautiful service at my home church. We are grateful that if she could not be here with us, that she is healed and whole with the Lord. We look forward to the day when we will get to meet her. We love her so much.


    Report Reply
  • ally2011ally2011 member

    Here is my draft at the moment, I am still working on this (deciding on newborn care stuff and updating the rest)....I found one online, modified it, and then modified further on advice from doula:

    We understand that certain emergency or other medical circumstances may not allow for the accommodation of the goals listed below. 

    Hospital Labor Goals

    • We plan to have present at the birth and or labor: Dr. _____, ______ (father), and _______ (doula).
    • I am ok with a heplock, but prefer not to be restricted to an IV unless it becomes medically necessary.
    • I would like to be up out of bed as much as possible during labor (walking, using the shower, changing positions, etc.) depending on my needs. 

    Birth Goals

    • We are attempting to have our baby without interventions if possible.
    • We understand that there are procedures which may become necessary.  Except in the case of an emergency, we would like the opportunity to accept or refuse any procedure or medication.
    • If needed, we request that the least invasive or restricting versions of procedures be used.
    • We are aware of options for pain management and will ask if needed, please do not offer.
    • I would like to push at my own pace (Mother-Directed Pushing).
    • Please do not cut an episiotomy without discussing it with me first. I would prefer to first try perineum massage, support and warm compresses.
    • As long as I have not received an epidural, I would like the opportunity to try different birthing positions including squatting (with support from my husband and our doula), on my hands and knees, or side lying. 
    • We would like to have the baby placed on the mother's chest with skin-to-skin contact immediately after the birth and for as long as possible following the birth.
    • We would like to try to have the baby breastfeed as soon as possible.

    Newborn Care Goals

    • We would like all newborn care performed in our room with us present from the moment of birth.  If it becomes medically necessary for some care to be performed elsewhere, we would like _____ (father) to go with our baby and remain with her at all times until she is returned to our room.
    • Hepatitis Vaccine
    • Vitamin K
    • Eye Ointment
    • Bath 

    Breastfeeding Goals

    • We would like to establish breastfeeding. Please do not offer any bottles to the baby without parents' notification of a medical need.
    • We would like to meet with a lactation consultant before leaving the hospital to have techniques checked.

    Thank you for taking the time to help us achieve our birth goals!

    We are so thankful that our second daughter, Lillian Elizabeth "Lily", was born healthy and happy on February 11, 2013.  We love her to pieces.  

    We lost our first daughter, Hannah Grace on May 4, 2011.  She was buried on May 14 during a beautiful service at my home church. We are grateful that if she could not be here with us, that she is healed and whole with the Lord. We look forward to the day when we will get to meet her. We love her so much.


    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"