Questions To Ask Before Giving Birth

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There's no doubt that giving birth can be a life-changing experience. Some people say it's a beautiful way to see nature's miracles or a treasured memento about the child. I guess that's one reason why some fathers insist on filming the delivery! Other people say it's the most painful, scary and frustrating thing they've ever had to go through. I can't say which I would agree with most, but I definitely think the days and weeks (and in some cases, minutes!) leading up to the actual birth are fraught with questions and anxieties many of us didn't think about before-and You can, however, ease this tension if you know the right questions to ask your doctor well before the event! Here are a few of the important questions to ask your doctor before you go into the delivery room.

1. Who will be doing the delivery? Your own doctor, a midwife, another doctor?
2. Should I call when labor begins? Or can you just come to the hospital and have someone else call?
3. What exactly happens during a delivery? Do they use forceps or a vacuum if need be? Will they give an episiotomy? How often (and at what point) do they give a C-section? Do they monitor the baby's heart rate during the entire procedure? Will you be given IV fluids?
4. How many people can be in the delivery room with me? Who will be allowed? Some hospitals will only allow one person with the mother, while others will allow more. Some will only allow adult family members while others will let the mother bring anyone she wants. It all depends on the doctor and hospital.
5. Are you comfortable working with other professionals? Some women like to work with midwives, doulas or other kinds of 'coaches' during labor and delivery. If you have one, will your doctor allow them to be in the room with you? Does the hospital have any available if you decide you want one after you arrive?
6. Will I be allowed to walk/drink/eat/shower during labor if I want to?
7. At what point do you induce labor? Some doctors will induce labor if they have reason to believe the baby is not getting the proper nutrients from the placenta, such as a pregnancy that has lasted 42 or more weeks. Labor is also induced if the mother has preeclampsia, a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by protein in the urine and high blood pressure. There are also cases where labor is induced if the labor doesn't start within 24-48 hours of the water breaking.
8. How late in labor can I get an epidural? Some people will intend on having a completely natural childbirth but change their minds once the worst of the pangs come. Does your doctor have a 'time limit' after which you will not be able to get an epidural?
9. Will someone be available to help me breastfeed? Many hospitals have lactation coaches if you want someone to show you how to breastfeed.
10. What will happen if there are complications? Will your child be transferred to another hospital? If not, what kind of care will be given? How long will your child be in a NICU (if this happens), and will you be able to see her while she's there?

These are just a few of the questions you should ask your doctor before the time comes to deliver your baby. I know there are probably a million things going on in your head right now, but it helps to have an idea of what is going to happen before you find yourself in the delivery room.