A Gentle Start Childbirth
Services
Every
baby deserves a gentle start to life. . .
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Questions to ask your care provider. Will you be available when I give birth? Do you routinely order an IV? Heparin Lock? Do you order electronic fetal monitoring? Continuous or intermittent? Internal or External? In what circumstances would you induce labor? Break my bag of waters? Can I use positions that are most comfortable for me during labor? Can I walk around? Can I take a bath or shower during active labor? If my water is broken, am I still allowed to move about freely? Shower or bathe? Can I eat lightly or drink clear fluids in labor? What is your protocol should my water break before the onset of labor? How do you feel about my laboring at home as long as possible? Do you cut routine episiotomies? Do you use oils and warm compresses to encourage stretching and prevent tearing? Do your back up doctors have similar philosophies regarding these questions?
VBAC Specific Questions to ask. (In addition to above) How many of your patients have labored after having a previous cesarean? What percentage of your patients who labor after cesarean have vaginal births? Will you be available when I give birth? What are the hosptial protocols for VBAC? When would you consider VBAC no longer an option?
Be very wary of the noncommittal responses such as . . . "You can spin on your head as long as the baby is fine." These are important questions that will help you determine the way your provider will manage your care. *Your doula will cover each of these procedures/interventions and how they affect your birth during your first prenatal visit.*
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Send mail to
AGentleStart@Comcast.net
for information!
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