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Five Steps for Selecting the Best Birth Provider

Dec 24, 2020 11:47 PM Central
doctor, Hospital, midwife
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Five Steps for Selecting the Best Birth Provider

When you are selecting a prenatal care provider, the first thing you need to do is decide who you want to deliver your baby. The options are an OBGYN, family doctor, or a certified midwife.

A midwife is good for uncomplicated pregnancies, women under 35 years of age, those that want a home delivery or birth center, first time mothers or those that have had successful vaginal deliveries before. Family doctors can see any of the above, but they only deliver in hospitals and they cannot see women that need a cesarean section or have had one before. An OBGYN can see all types of women, perform cesareans if needed, refer to maternal fetal medicine for high-risk pregnancies but only deliver in hospitals.

Secondly, you need to talk to family, friends and neighbors and see who they recommend. Find out why they liked that person and see if it fits your birth plan and personality. Once you have some possibilities, contact your insurance, and make sure that the doctor and the hospital is covered unless you are paying out of pocket.

Thirdly, with the providers that have made the cut so far, do some research. Look online, watch videos, and see if they practice the way you want. Look for things like: Do you only see your doctor? NP? How long until I can be seen? Is there someone who covers them in the office while they are at deliveries?

Next since you have narrowed your list down, it is time to have a consult with them. This is your time to ask questions, a chance to get to see who they really are. Does their personality fit with yours? Are you comfortable around them? Ask who covers on-call, since many providers have multiple people in their practice. Will you get to meet them prior to delivery?

Fifth and final, decide on the best fit for you and your baby. Remember though, if you do not mesh well with a provider you can switch, just try to do it earlier rather than later. Do not be afraid to switch! This is your delivery, and you want to be comfortable during the pregnancy as well as “go time”.

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Meet Rebekah Clay

Knowledge is Power!

All my life I have wanted to be a mom, as most little girls do. I dreamed of that perfect day when they placed him or her on my chest and I instantly fell in love. As the day got closer to delivery of my first, I started getting NERVOUS, FEARFUL of what might happen, SCARED that I did not know all the answers, my sense of control was disappearing. Everything I knew was from family and friends who gave their birth stories. I was so excited to meet my baby but scared all at the same time. I was just supposed to go in a trust the nurse and doctor that I did not even know with my life and the life of my child??? Um no! This was not me, but I did not know what else to do.

I had nurses and doctors disagreeing on my care and I didn’t know enough to say how I felt, or what was right for me. I felt helpless. I felt alone. I started doubting if I could even be a good mother because I knew nothing about bringing a baby into this world, breastfeeding or calming a baby (Geesh I could not even calm myself down). After 3 days in the hospital I finally met my son. It was the most amazing, breathtaking moment.

After my first child, I knew I wanted to be a labor and delivery nurse and help calm the nerves and provide education to mothers preparing for delivery. So that is what I have done for the last 12 years! I give women the resources to be able to calm their fears, be more knowledgeable about the labor and delivery process, and be able to make informed decisions instead of just following along with whatever the hospital tells them. I empower women to trust themselves and their bodies.

Did you know that you could tell the doctor “NO”? What about telling the nurse what you want for your delivery and making it happen, instead of just going along with what they want? Your labor nurse might be in her first day of labor or her 1,000th you never know. Take charge of your birth and family now!

How many times have you said, “If only I knew somebody that really understood what goes on during labor & delivery and the truth about how to deliver safely.”? Have you every thought “I wish I had someone in my life to tell me what to do next in labor.”? You NOW know someone…ME!!!!

Ready to learn more?

Come join our knowledgeable mamas’ community and learn how to have the pregnancy, labor, and delivery you have dreamed of and gain the knowledge, information, and support that we share in our exclusive group. It’s free!