Questions to ask OB?

BabyGibsonsIncubator · March 2014

Hi Ladies!

I have officially "graduated" from my REI and I will be seeing an OB on Thursday (I have 2 different OB appts to see which I like more)

I have started making a list of questions but I was wondering if I was missing anything important (its been 6 years since I have done this lol)

1) My appointment is at 9 w 1 d, will I need a 12 week prenatal, or just in 4 weeks like normal?

2) What hospitals does she deliver at?

3) Do they have birthing tubs / birthing balls?

4) Can I chose to have an IV or not?

5) Can I walk around, use the birthing tub, etc as I labor (as long as everything is going normal)

6) What is their practice with inductions and C-section rate (I do not want to be induced unless absolutely medically necessary)

7) Will you be the Dr. to deliver me, or any doctor on call?

Feel free to add any questions!

TIA

meggiev123 · March 2014

Seems like a pretty good list. Last time around I also asked about whether I needed to be on the bed when it came time to push, and if I could eat during labor. Like you, I was also very concerned about induction, so I asked about their policy for when they start pushing it in addition to the rates.

BabyGibsonsIncubator · March 2014

@meggiev123 Oh I didn't think about eating and drinking, or how I can push.

I really like the OB I am seeing on Friday, but I am pretty sure their policies are the same as they were 5 years ago with my son, and it was awful. I was admitted, they wouldn't let me eat or drink, they put a catheter in as soon as I got to my room. My son was 6lbs 6oz and the doctor said if I didn't get him out within 30 min of pushing I would HAVE to go to an emergency C-section because my pelvis was too small (which I call crap, my son was not in distress or anything, I didn't even tear) So I am trying to avoid that at all costs.

The second OB I just want to meet to see if we click. She delivers at birthing centers or a hospital that is basically a birthing center. They do water births or labor tubs. So I am thinking if we click, I will switch to their. I just don't want a repeat of my last birth

opaque1997 · March 2014

I would ask what their c section rate is.. and how you can best avoid a c section - and then take those answers and see if they sit well with you.

A lot of the questions you are asking may point back to hospital regs and not to doctor choices. I know at my hospital - I can do whatever I want (basically) until / if I get an Epidural and then I need to be in my bed - with an IV and a cath. I'm ok with that because for me the E is worth that - but for others its not.

I loved my OB and I know she is what saved me in my labor. I was VERY very clear I did not want a C section unless that was the only way to have a healthy baby. When my daughters heart rate started dropping and not recovering when I was pushing she put me on my side (my daughter loved that all through pregnancy and labor) and let me deliver on my side - and at the very end when it got critical that we got her out - she looked me straight in the face and said - she's down far enough we don't need to do a c section - but if you don't push her out on the next contraction I will need to cut and vacuum - but we will avoid a c section. We did and it was great and though she had to use the vacuum it was so minor that all the nurses kept asking "she was vacuumed? YOu can't even tell". I was calm cool and collected because I was comfortable putting the choice in my Ob's hands and she was cool as a cucumber.

AlliBalleza · March 2014

Great questions. Was curious if anyone else had some other questions?

Justabean3 · March 2014

How long will they let you go past your due date?

How many ultrasounds do they do?

What is their policy with offering blood transfusions?

How many people are allowed in the delivery room for vaginal and c-section?

Does the delivery faculty have a NICU?

Is the delivery faculty a donor cord bank facility if you don't want to pay can you donate? <- if your choice

vrj0522 · March 2014

I would also ask their procedure for when you go into labor. Do they have you come into the office and then send you to the hospital or are you on your own to head to the hospital? (My OB will have me come in and confirm that I'm in labor before sending me to the hospital which can save tons of money if that's the procedure they use, especially on the weekends when the ER might see you first).

When do they cut the umbilical cord (do they do delayed or immediate cutting and do you have a say in it)?

What is their policy on episiotomies?

BabyGibsonsIncubator · March 2014

Thank you ladies!!! I feel much more prepared going into this appointment and the one next week!

lisamahrt · March 2014

Some of these questions you will find out on the hospital tours as well. If your doctor delivers at multiple hospitals, I would recommend checking them all out.

BabyGibsonsIncubator · March 2014

@lisamahrt the OB I see on Thursday only delivers at one, but I will definitely check the two hospitals the other delivers at, I didn't think about them having different policies (for the second OB)

pinkshades05 · March 2014

One question would be what is the policy if the baby is breech in the last month. Will they recommend turning the baby or automatically schedule you a c-section?

lisamahrt · March 2014

BabyGibsonsIncubator said:

@lisamahrt the OB I see on Thursday only delivers at one, but I will definitely check the two hospitals the other delivers at, I didn't think about them having different policies (for the second OB)

The only reason I pointed that out was you mentioned tub/birth in water was very hard to find in St. Louis. One Hospital even said they did it online but since had changed policy. Crossing my fingers the Hospital where your Doctor delivers has everything you want!

BabyGibsonsIncubator · March 2014

@lisamahrt no I appreciate it! The OB I am seeing tomorrow uses a hospital that I do not think does it. The other OB I know the birthing center has it (I called them as soon as I read it because I was excited). So it comes down to if how OB for tomorrow will let me labor. I am really leaning toward the other OB so I can labor in the tub. My hospital experience with my son was terrible. Catheter the second I was put in the room and I wasnt even allowed to turn on my side. = Torture

Schell2013 · March 2014

Good questions-

Only things I would add is eating and drinking in labor?

How many people allowed in the delivery room? I wanted my mom and H so I wanted to make sure it was okay.

Is immediate skin to skin and delayed cord clamping (if you want that) something they are okay with?

bettyscoop14 · March 2014

Good luck with your appointment. I am looking for a forum on when the first prenatal appointment should be. Mine is scheduled for just 20 minutes on 3/31/14, when I will be over 10 weeks along (due 10/25/14). This is my first pregnancy and also my first time ever meeting this gynecologist. Maybe they pushed it out because I already had a dating ultrasound due to confusion over when I got pregnant, because I had a very early miscarriage then got pregnant again immediately after. But.. if I already had a miscarriage you would think they'd want to see me sooner and go over all the risk factors. Any advice?

Schell2013 · March 2014

I haven't had my 10 week this time but last time I know it was one of the longest appointments ever. It included the nurse taking a full obstetric history, health history of myself and both sides of family. Then I got blood work, peed in a cup, blood pressure and weighed. Then the OB came in felt my tummy, answered all my questions, and got to hear the heart beat. I was there for like an hour between the OB and the nurse.
Eta- typo

BabyGibsonsIncubator · March 2014

@bettyscoop14 it really depends on the OB office. I saw an REI because I had multiple losses. He saw me until my 7 week ultrasound to be sure everything looked good. I then "graduated" from the REI office and this is my first apt with my OB. This office likes to see people between 8 and 10 weeks, and I have heard it is pretty common. If you are worried you could always request they do betas to see if your numbers are doubling

This appointment is 45 ish min long. It will be a pap smear, going over family histories, any questions, and an ultrasound

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