Things to ask Your Doctor About Giving Birth
When I was pregnant with my first baby, I voraciously consumed all the information I could find about having a baby. What to Expect When You’re Expecting was my baby preparation Bible and I read it from cover to cover. With all of that research, I didn’t think to ask my very own, amazing doctor, some of the questions that were whirling through my head. As a veteran mom of three girls, I am here to tell you to SPEAK UP! Ask your doctor, even the most mundane questions and they will be happy to help you. Trust me, they have seen and heard it all!
Here are some little and big things to ask your doctor or midwife about giving birth that just might help you feel more prepared and in control!
Will an Epidural be my only option for pain relief and do I need to decide right away or can I change my mind?
Epidurals are a common form of pain relief during labor, but they are not the only option available. Other forms of pain relief include spinal blocks, and natural methods such as hypno-birthing, acupuncture and massage. One size does not fit all and one choice is not better than another! Do what is best for you! Don’t be a martyr. Pain relief is meant to empower you through an incredible, albeit, strenuous and painful process! There are lots of options and in many cases, if one doesn’t work for you, you will be able to try another. I chose to have a spinal block for all three of my births. One thing to note is that a spinal block is temporary and only lasts a few hours! This was okay for me since all three of my births lasted only a couple hours each. (Don’t be jealous! My girls all came really fast and this posed its own challenges with each pregnancy.) The key is to listen to and trust your birth team. Listen and do what is best for you to make you comfortable and get through delivery!
Can I bring my own music to the hospital?
Music can have a powerful impact on our emotions, and it can help create a calm and soothing environment for you during labor. You can bring your own playlist, a sound machine, or even your own voice to help you relax and focus during labor. Technology is such a wonderful gift and your room will be ready for you to plugin your phone and select your playlist from Spotify. Create a couple play lists that you look forward to listening to. The more music the better in case you are in labor for a long time. Better yet, use an app like Calm in order to listen to calming meditations or soundscapes to help you relax. Calm has an entire collection of meditations, music and soundscapes specifically called “nurturing pregnancy” which are “empowering practices & reassuring talks to help you through the entire journey of pregnancy, by lowering stress, reducing anxiety, and improving sleep.”
Will I be able to use a bathtub or a birthing pool?
I loved sitting in a warm bath while in labor. It calmed me down and helped me through contractions. However, it also slowed things down a bit for me. Ask your doctor what they think about baths during labor or even for delivery! Warm water can help ease the pain and discomfort of contractions, and it also allows you to move around more easily, which can help the baby move down the birth canal. Birthing pools can also provide a sense of privacy and intimacy during labor.
Besides contractions, what are some other physical symptoms I may experience during labor?
Labor comes with a whole host of physical responses. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor for all the possibilities. From, dare I say, pooping, to throwing up, to feeling cold, or hot, whatever! Ask! A little knowledge is a powerful tool when you are entering an unfamiliar experience and can make something that is unpleasant, less scary and easier to go through.
What are all the birthing positions I will be allowed to try?
There are various birthing positions that can help make the birthing process easier, such as standing up, sitting down, on your hands and knees, or even lying down. Experiment with different positions to find what feels most comfortable for you. I walked, used a birthing ball, relaxed in the tub, laid on my side, and then delivered on a bed. I walked when I felt restless and lying down was comforting to me. Listen to what your doctor, midwife, or nurse recommends and just go with it!
Who can be in the delivery room with me?
If you can have a doula, my goodness, by all means do it! Ask your doctor’s office if they have a list of reputable doulas that they recommend. That way you know that they have already established a positive relationship with each other. Doulas provide emotional and physical support to a woman and her partner during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period. A doula can help you with relaxation techniques, provide emotional support, and advocate for your wishes during birth. Doulas are also incredible those first few weeks at home and may provide everything from lactation support, to meals, to an extra hand so that you can sleep! I partner with Better Beginnings Minnesota: “At Better Beginnings, our mission is to provide the best birth and postpartum support to our clients through caring, knowledgeable, and professional service during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum time, so that families can transition more easily into their new life together.”
Can I eat or drink during labor?
Having a light snack can help keep your energy levels up. It's important to listen to your body and your healthcare provider during labor, and to make sure you are well hydrated and nourished. But there may be some scenarios where they want you to hold off on eating. My husband was the official provider of snacks and ice chips during my labor. Ice chips really made me feel better! Trust me, it’s the little things!
When will I need a C-section and what is it like?
C-sections are a common form of delivery and can be planned or unplanned. Your doctor and nurses will take great care of you and your baby during the procedure! Remember, no question is silly, ask them, what will it feel like, when can I hold baby, who will all be in the room, how long will my recovery be?
Giving birth is such an incredible experience. Sometimes scary, sometimes hard, always overwhelming, but the end result is truly a miracle! I loved having my girls and the journey of parenthood has been the most fulfilling journey I have ever experienced in my life. Takes some advice from a veteran mom: try to let go of the small stuff, always accept help when offered, give yourself, your partner, and your little ones grace every day, and most of all, remember, your children are more resilient than you think. Don’t try to over plan or sweat the small stuff, but simply LOVE them, everything else will fall into place, and nothing else matters. Love is what they need the most and the most rewarding thing for you to give!
Is a Newborn Photo Session Worth It? (you might not ask your doctor this, but I bet they would say yes!)
Don’t you wish you could preserve all of the details of your baby and kiddos forever? It is an investment you will never regret, but may regret if you don’t do it. I would love to bless you with one of my Newborn Photo Session experiences. They are unlike any other! Simply show up and I take care of all the details. From preparing what you will wear with my client wardrobe, to blessings for big brother or sister, to providing you with a first year photo book with words from you to your child, you and your child will feel blessed for years to come!
