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Before you think about what you are going
to ask your caregiver, think about what your own priorities are and what
kind of caregiver you are looking for. For more detail, see our page on
choosing a caregiver.
Here are suggested questions covering some of the key topics
women often want to discuss. If there is a topic you want to explore that's
not covered here, talk to your doula about how to discuss it with your
caregiver, or use the open question format here to come up with your
own wording. Remember that an "open question" is one that must be answered
with an explanation, not just a "yes" or "no," so the answer gives
you the most information to go on.
Induction
"Under what
circumstances would you suggest an induction to start labor?"
Some caregivers will only start
labor artificially for medical indications such as severe high blood
pressure or pre-eclampsia; others will routinely suggest induction, for
example, on the due date or a few days after; talk to your doula about the
pros and cons of induction in different circumstances.
Time limits
"What are
your views on time limits during each stage of labor?"
Some caregivers will be happy to
watch labor take its course with no time limits, so long as the mother and
baby are doing well; others will suggest speeding up labor with drugs after
a certain number of hours, or to achieve a certain rate of progress; talk to
your doula about the pros and cons of time limits.
Food
"How will you feel if I want to eat and drink during labor?"
Some caregivers are
comfortable with you eating and drinking as you please during labor and
birth; others will ask that you not eat at all, or take only clear liquids,
or only ice chips; talk to your doula about the pros and cons of restricting
food and drink in labor
Episiotomy
"How often
do you find it is necessary to cut an episiotomy?"
Some caregivers will be accustomed
to cutting an episiotomy in a large percentage of cases, or for all
first-time mothers; others will cut them only rarely (perhaps for 5 out of
100 women); talk to your doula about the pros and cons of episiotomy and
ways to avoid either a cut or a tear.
Position for birth
"How will you feel if I want to be off the bed during labor and for the
birth of the baby?"
Some caregivers will insist you are
on the bed for labor and/or for the birth of the baby, and may not be
experienced catching a baby when the woman is not on the bed on her back;
others frequently catch babies when the mother is in all sorts of different
positions, such as all-fours, standing, kneeling, and so on. Talk to your
doula about the pros and cons of being on and off the bed for labor and
birth.
Supporters
"How will
you feel if I want to have a doula support me during my labor and birth?"
Some caregivers are enthusiastic
about working with a doula as part of the support team; others are not
comfortable with this. If your caregiver is not comfortable and you want a
supporter there, how will you feel knowing he is not supportive of this?
When you ask these sorts of open questions, listen to
the way your caregiver responds. Comfortable discussing matters with you?
Interested in your perspective and desires? Telling you not to worry about
it, he'll take care of everything? Rushed? How do you feel about the way
your caregiver responded to your questions? How do you feel about his views? See also:
Choosing a caregiver
Writing a birth plan
Choosing a place of birth
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