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You’re about to have a baby, and there’s one person who will play a significant role throughout your pregnancy journey — your healthcare provider. It’s going to be nine months of stress and overwhelming emotions, not to mention physical changes that will downright freak you out. And when all of that happens, who do you turn to? Your doctor.
So, given that the doctor will be your guiding force through this time, isn’t it only wise to make sure that you get yourself a doctor you can trust and rely on? This is why we’ve put together a few questions to ask yourself before going ahead and choosing a good healthcare provider who can assist you during and after your pregnancy. Let’s get started!
Does It Really Matter Who Delivers Your Baby?
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You might think that a doctor within the same practice would ideally have the same skillset, so it won’t make much of a difference who delivers your baby as long as they’re specialized in it. But it isn’t as straightforward as that. Even within the same practice, every doctor is different. It helps if you could determine that the practitioner practices evidence-based maternal and fetal medicine. This way, they might be able to influence the kind of delivery you will have, the position in which you give birth, manage the different interventions you will face, and even help with the care you require after you have given birth.
So What Is Evidence-Based?
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Evidence-based medicine is a line of practice that uses a problem-solving, conscientious approach to patient care. An evidence-based doctor will essentially help you make decisions based on the evidence they draw out from various sources such as well-designed studies and cases, your preferences, and much more. They take into account not just your physical condition but your overall well-being in terms of comfort, priorities, and preferences (1).
Should You Consider A Family-Centered Delivery Location?
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Apart from considering an evidence-based doctor, you might want to also think about a family-centered delivery clinic. If you’re wondering what that is, then here you go — it is a system of maternity care, in which the whole process of childbirth and aftercare has a more holistic approach. The needs of both mother and child are a top priority, and certain things such as the family member who the mother wants present, or the kind of classes she wants to be a part of, are all taken care of. They take that extra step to keep in mind your family’s perspectives, needs, beliefs, and values (2).
What Questions Should I Be Asking A Prospective Care Provider?
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To determine the kind of care provider you need, you must ask them a few questions as well. This will help you understand if they are on the same page as you are. Some of the questions that may help are as follows:
- Ask the doctor what the labor process looks like for you and their role as far as this is concerned.
- Sometimes, the doctor who helps with your delivery might be different from the one who guided you during your pregnancy, so ask if the care provider will also be the one to deliver your child.
- Ask them what your chances are of having a C-section birth.
- Family-centered care and evidence-based practices advocate other pain management techniques apart from drugs, such as bars, massage tools, birthing balls, and tubs, so ask them about it and if they offer such services.
- There are different birthing positions. Ask them if you will be able to give birth in a different position instead of the usual kind that requires you to lie on your back.
You can’t really control the turn of events when it comes to delivery, but you can ensure that a few things fall into place as per your birth plan. With the help of an evidence-based doctor, you can enjoy several benefits with regard to your pregnancy and childbirth. What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments below!
