Finding the right provider for your pregnancy and birth is a deeply personal decision. To help you navigate the process, we spoke with Certified Nurse Midwife Whitney Bryner, a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) on the medical staff at Texas Health Allen, who shared key questions to ask when considering a midwife to ensure your care aligns with your needs and values.
Course of Care
- What does the typical care schedule look like throughout pregnancy?
- How long are appointment times?
- Will I see the same midwife for each visit?
Bryner notes that understanding the structure of your prenatal care is crucial for several reasons:
- Consistency: Knowing if you'll see the same midwife throughout your pregnancy can help build a strong, trusting relationship.
- Time Management: Understanding the frequency and duration of appointments allows you to plan your schedule accordingly.
- Personalized Care: Regular visits throughout pregnancy enable midwives to monitor your health and your baby's development closely.
Handling Complications
- If I develop conditions requiring transfer to an OB/GYN, what does this process look like?
- What happens if a cesarean section becomes necessary?
Bryner says there is often a lot of misperception that midwives are not prepared for complications or situations that require medical intervention, which couldn’t be farther from the truth. Asking these questions is important, not only to dispel any misinformation but to also provide insight into their specific protocol for complex situations. Understanding the process can alleviate anxiety about potential complications.
Information and Education
- How is information provided to patients? Is there a patient portal?
- Do you provide a list of education topics or documents?
- What does the education timeline look like throughout pregnancy?
Midwives often emphasize patient education, empowering you to make informed decisions about your care. Understanding what information you'll receive and when helps you prepare for each stage of pregnancy. Additionally, knowing how to access information (e.g., through a patient portal) ensures you can stay informed throughout your pregnancy.
Specific Care Preferences
- How do you approach birth planning?
- What are your recommendations for childbirth education?
- What's included in your care package?
These questions matter because:
- Personalization: They help ensure your care aligns with your specific needs and preferences.
- Informed Decision-Making: Understanding available options allows you to make choices that best suit your situation.
- Comprehensive Care: Knowing what's included in your care package helps you plan for any additional services you might need.
Birthing Facility and Options
- What pain management options are available at the facility?
- Is there a limit to the number of support people allowed during delivery?
- What labor aids are provided (e.g., birthing balls, squat bars)?
- Is water birth or hydrotherapy allowed at this facility?
Understanding your birthing facility options is crucial. Knowing available pain management options and labor aids helps you prepare for a more comfortable birth experience, and information about specific birthing options like water birth allows you to align your birth plan with the facility's capabilities. Additionally, understanding policies on support people ensures you can have the emotional backing you need during labor.
Additional Considerations
- What is your philosophy regarding pregnancy and birth?
- How many births have you attended, and what's your success rate for natural births?
- What factors would risk me out of your practice?
- How do you handle situations where a patient goes past their estimated due date?
These questions provide insight into:
- Experience: Understanding your midwife's background and success rates helps build confidence in their care.
- Approach: Knowing their philosophy ensures it aligns with your own views on pregnancy and birth.
- Risk Assessment: Understanding what factors might necessitate a change in care helps you prepare for all possibilities.
- Flexibility: Knowing how they handle overdue pregnancies gives you an idea of their approach to individual variations in pregnancy.
By asking these questions, Bryner says you can gain a comprehensive understanding of your potential midwife's approach, experience, and policies. This can help you make an informed decision and ensure you receive care that aligns with your needs and preferences throughout your pregnancy journey.
Ready to learn more? Find a Texas Health midwife who aligns with your needs and vision for your pregnancy journey.