Choose a doctor and a hospital for pregnancy and birth

There is a lot to think when welcoming a new baby to the family.

Where you choose to have your baby and who will be part of your health care team is a big decision.

Choosing a supplier for your pregnancy and your birth is one of the first decisions you make. Finding a support supplier before or in the early stages of pregnancy is useful.

Sarah Shoemaker, DNP, CNM, is a midwife certified with Osf Healthcare. She explained what to consider and how to choose a supplier and a place of birth for your next delivery.

Choose a supplier

If you do not have an OB / Gyn or midwife yet, you can request a recommendation from your primary care provider. Sometimes your health insurance will give you a supplier or specific options to choose.

“Do your research,” said Sarah.

Think about what you hope for your pregnancy, your work and your delivery and proceed a birth plan. What kind of pain management do you want? Who do you want in the delivery room? Are there some things you want to be able to do in the delivery room, such as listening to music or turning off the lights?

“Once you know what your goals for pregnancy and birth are, which can help you guide your decision -making. Do not be afraid to defend yourself, interview suppliers, know them and choose one that meets your needs,” said Sarah.

“The key to facing well through the contractions is to feel relaxed and safe. What makes the patient feel safe can be completely different from what another patient needs. It is important to find health care providers that listen to you,” said Sarah. “Your care team should be strong defenders of your needs.”

Several types of different providers can be involved in your pregnancy, work and delivery.

Ob / ex

Ob / Gyn means obstetrician and gynecologist.

An obstetrician is a doctor specializing in birth. Their expertise is in the medical and surgical care of women. You can therefore be sure they know your specific health needs.

A gynecologist is a doctor specializing in women’s health care. You may already have a gynecologist for things like PAP smear, pelvic exams and breast health checks. When you are pregnant, your gynecologist can confirm your pregnancy and connect to the best next step.

Obstetrician vs gynecologist

An obstetrician is often called OB / Gyn because they help pregnant women who want to become pregnant. They usually treat only things related to pregnancy.

A gynecologist is also technically an OB / GYN, but they often practice gynecology. This includes carrying out cancer screening and the treatment of women’s health problems, such as urinary tract infections and fertility problems.

Maternal fetal specialist

A specialist in maternal fetuses is an OB / GYN which has received additional training to treat pregnancies and more complicated births. They are sometimes called perinatologists.

Maternal fetus specialists are excellent if you or your baby need special attention. For example, if you have a chronic state of health, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, a maternal fetus specialist can help monitor your health throughout pregnancy and during childbirth.

Getting a reference to a specialist in maternal mutation may seem scary, but they can help you keep you and your baby healthier if there are unique problems.

Midwife

Midwives are another option to have as a supplier. They often use more holistic approaches for work and childbirth, such as trying different breathing techniques and work positions. It is a myth, however, that midwives only support work without an epidural.

“Midwives very often have time integrated into their calendar devoted to work support so that they can be more involved in the work process. If this is important for you, regardless of the pain management you choose, a midwife can be the right supplier for you, “said Sarah.

A midwife’s nurse differs from an ob / gyn because the midwives are not surgeons. These are authorized nurses who have followed master’s degrees or doctorate in midwives, specialized in low-risk vaginal births and women’s health care.

Doula

A Doula is a member of the optional care team that you can hire. They offer emotional and physical support during pregnancy, work and childbirth. Although doubles are very useful to the birth process, they are not health professionals such as Ob / Gyns or midwives. They can help you understand your hopes and your needs in order to be able to offer a birth plan. During work, they will be a defender to help you make decisions with your birth plan in mind.

They can help you manage pain by massage, position changes and breathing techniques.

Questions to ask your care team

When you are looking for suppliers for your pregnancy and your delivery, start with an open conversation. Asking questions will help you choose the best supplier for you and your baby.

Here are some examples of questions to ask your care team before birth:

• What pain management options do you support?
• Are care covered by my insurance?
• In which hospitals do you deliver?
• What happens if I start work when you are not on appeal?
• Do you perform episiotomies? (These are small skin cuts between the vagina and the anus to reduce the tear during birth)
• How often do cesarean women do?
• How can you support my birth plan?
• Does the hospital allow babies to stay with you after birth?
• How do you support my decisions before, during and after birth?
• How much entry can I have?
• Do I have the opportunity to be mobile during work?

How to choose where to have your baby

If you explore options for where you have your baby, you have a lot to consider. Being prepared and having as much information as possible allows you to choose more easily where to give birth.

Hospital

Many factors can influence your decision to give birth in a hospital. Your insurance may tell you that the Deliveur hospital, the hospital can be closest to your home or supplier is employed in the hospital.

“I encourage everyone to start their trip by touring the hospital,” said Sarah.

Many Ob / Gyns only deliver in hospitals due to the resources available there, including the most advanced technology. If you give birth in a hospital, you will have access to many emergency services in case something is happening. Hospitals also offer the most options to manage pain, including nitrous oxide, analgesics IV and epides.

“For patients with simple deliveries, many choose to go home the next day,” said Sarah. “If you have a cesarean or a cesarean, you will probably stay two or three days.”

Hospitals have full time with medical training professionals, such as doctors, advanced practices providers and nurses. Hospitals also have other staff specialists who can help if necessary, such as neonatologists and lactation consultants.

If you have a high -risk pregnancy or a planned cesarean, you should plan a birth in the hospital.

Birth center

A birth center is a place outside a hospital where babies are delivered.

A birth center can have an OB / GYN that consults, but midwives and nurses generally provide care for patients. These installations are based on natural and holistic approaches to childbirth. Many also have a nitorous oxide available for patients, and the birth of water is usually an option.

Birth centers are designed for low-risk patients, so contact them if you are not sure to qualify.

Since childbirth centers are designed for low -risk patients and do not have access to IV epidural / analgesic, you must be prepared mentally and physically for unavoidity delivery.

Birth at home

Few suppliers deliver babies at home.

There are many risks involved in delivery outside a medical establishment. Even an experience of normal labor can turn into a deadly situation very quickly. Things like a peak in your baby’s heart rate, a peak in your blood pressure or a bad position of your baby could cause a serious emergency.

He can take a long time to go to the hospital for emergency care once complications are argued. Many suppliers encourage delivery to a medical establishment.

Questions to ask when giving birth

When you turn hospitals and meet care teams, here are some useful questions that will guide you in your decision.

• How often are Caesareans carried out?
• Are the work rooms and delivery private or shared?
• What high -risk services are available in case of problems?
• Where can I go against it when I go to work?
• What breastfeeding medium is available?
• What prenatal courses are offered?
• What amenities are available?
• Will I make the skin to skin, delayed cord tightening or any other special request?
• How many supporting people are authorized in the room?
• Are visitors allowed?

Sarah said flexibility was the key. Even if you have a plan to find out where you give birth, which is there and how everything is going, it is important to keep the realistic expectations.

“Working with your supplier to develop a plan, as well as emergency plans at birth, helps prevent birth trauma. Birth and pregnancy can be unpredictable, and it is important that your choices and needs are supported. It is important to have a team you trust so you can work together for the best results for you and your baby. ”

Last update: October 10, 2024