Giving birth to your baby may be causing you worry or fear. Part of your doctor's job is to help ease your fears and give you the confidence to approach childbirth as a knowledgeable mother-to-be. The best time to ask your doctor questions about childbirth is before you go into labor. Call your doctor and set up a time to ask him your questions. Bring a list of questions with you so you leave feeling more prepared to give birth to your new little one.
How Do You Feel About Pain Relief During Delivery?
The decision whether to use drug-induced pain relief during delivery is up to you. Marvin S. Eiger and Sally Wendkos Olds, authors of "The Complete Book of Breastfeeding," suggest asking this question so your wishes align with what your doctor is willing to do. If you feel strongly against using pain relief, make sure your doctor agrees with your decision so you are not offered drugs while you are trying to give birth to your baby. If you want to use pain relief, asking your doctor how she feels about it will ensure that you get what you need to deliver your baby pain free.
When Would You Give A Cesarean Section?
Your doctor will be able to tell you what conditions would warrant a Cesarean section delivery, writes Nihara K. Choudhri, author of "Parent Savvy: Straight Answers to Your Family's Financial, Legal & Practical Questions." You can ask your doctor about the rate of C-sections at the hospital where you are delivering to learn more about how willing your doctor is to perform the procedure. If you are against having a C-section, asking your doctor about what conditions need to be present to have one will make him aware of your wishes and will educate you about how likely you are to have the procedure. Knowing what can lead to a C-section can also help ease your worries as you approach your due date, and will help prepare you for the possibility of having one.
How Do You Handle Emergencies?
You may not want to consider anything happening during labor and delivery, but knowing ahead of time the steps your doctor takes will help ease your mind and allow you to concentrate on having a baby. Eiger and Olds recommend this question so you can learn more about risks and procedures your doctor takes to reduce those risks and meet the individual needs of your newborn. Ask your doctor what you can do to reduce the chance of an emergency so you will feel comfortable working together to deliver your little one.
References
- "The Complete Book of Breastfeeding"; Marvin S. Eiger and Sally Wendkos Olds; 1999
- "Parent Savvy: Straight Answers to Your Family's Financial, Legal & Practical Questions"; Nihara K. Choudhri; 2005
