Questions to ask your OB/midwife
Before you give birth, you’ll want to ask your doctor or midwife these important questions.
Start with the basics
By now, you may have already asked your trimester-specific questions. As you head into the final stretch of your pregnancy, you’ll want to start thinking about your birth and how you’d like it to go. Start by doing research. Whether that’s a simple internet search or chatting with your mom-friends, gather a list of questions to ask your healthcare provider. Think about things you’d like more information on or that you’d like to know your doctor’s opinion about and build from there.
Here’s a list to get you started:
Labor and delivery
- What does labor feel like?
- What should I do when my water breaks or labor begins?
- Who will deliver my baby?
- What happens if I need a cesarean section (C-section)?
- How will my birth plan be handled?
- How will my pain be managed?
- Do you support natural delivery?
- Who will be in the delivery room with me?
A lot happens during the final stages of pregnancy. This is when you should be making preparations such as packing your hospital bag, preparing your birth plan, decorating the nursery and choosing a pediatrician.
The baby can come any time after 36 weeks, so you’ll want to be prepared.
Recovery
- How long will I stay in the hospital?
- Where will my baby be after the birth? In a nursery or in my room?
- What can I expect my recovery time to be?
- Will I receive breastfeeding support?
- When will I have my first follow-up visit?
- What symptoms do I need to be on the lookout for after birth?
- Do you perform circumcisions?
When in doubt, call your doctor
If you experience unusual symptoms or have a concern, call your healthcare provider right away. We would rather you call than have an emergency. Finally, this is an exciting time in your life. Soak it all in and take time for yourself before baby arrives!