Pregnant? 10 Must Ask Questions For Your Doc or Midwife
Reclaiming Birth: 10 Critical Questions to Ask Your Provider
Every mother wants the healthiest start for her baby. Yet, many don’t realize that interviewing potential healthcare providers is one of the most important first steps toward achieving the birth they envision.
Dr. Christiane Northrup urges women to “reclaim birth” by taking control of their choices and ensuring the right person “catches” their baby. Too often, women settle for a provider because “everyone goes there,” or it’s the only practice in town. But it’s time to question authority. Women lost the right to birth on their own terms in the early 1900s. If we don’t take action now, we risk losing the birth experience in America altogether.
My Journey to the Right Provider
I went through two OB/GYN practices and one midwife before I found the right one. And yes, I drove two hours—in hard labor—to give birth on my terms. For me, that meant holistic pain management and a supportive midwife.
If you’re pregnant or know someone who is, listen up. It’s time to advocate for your child before they’re born. You wouldn’t hesitate to defend your child from a playground bully—so start now by protecting them from unnecessary medical intervention.
Without further delay, here are the top 10 questions to ask your potential “baby catcher”:
1. What is your induction rate?
Induction rates have more than doubled in the last 15 years, yet maternal and infant outcomes haven’t improved. In fact, maternal and infant mortality rates have risen.
2. What is your C-section rate?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a C-section rate of 5-10%, but in the U.S., it’s a staggering 33%.
3. Do you require continuous fetal monitoring (CFM)?
CFM, in place since the 1970s, hasn’t improved birth outcomes but has increased C-section rates. If CFM is their go-to method, buyer beware.
4. How do you determine if my baby is in distress?
If their primary tool is CFM, consider other options. A birth managed solely through monitors excludes the mother from the process.
5. Will you personally attend my birth, or will I get whoever is on call?
Midwives typically see you at every visit and stay with you throughout labor. Large practices may rotate providers, leaving you with someone you’ve barely met.
6. What’s the longest labor you’ve attended? What was the outcome?
A provider who rushes to intervene may not support a long, natural labor. My first labor lasted 36 hours, and thanks to supportive midwives and nurses, I achieved a natural birth.
7. Will I be free to choose my birth position?
Lithotomy (on your back with feet in stirrups) is biomechanically the worst position for birth. Ensure your provider allows you to move and choose what’s comfortable—squatting, all fours, side-lying, etc.
8. What is your episiotomy rate?
Episiotomies can cause long-term pain, sexual dysfunction, and incontinence. A provider with a high rate of episiotomies should raise concerns. Routine use of episiotomies are also not supported by ACOG.
9. What is your rate of unmedicated or minimally invasive births?
Over 80% of U.S. births involve medical intervention, yet midwives maintain epidural rates under 10% and C-section rates under 2%.
10. How often do you break the “bag of waters”?
Artificially breaking the bag of waters can intensify labor and increase the risk of complications.
Red Flags to Watch For:
A provider who refuses to answer these questions or dismisses your concerns is a sign that you may not be in control during your birth.
Green Flags to Celebrate!
If your provider welcomes these questions and gives answers that align with your goals, you’re on your way to a happy, empowered birth. Congratulations!
