Questions to ask before delivery

As your pregnancy progresses, new questions may arise. Before each prenatal check-up, make a list of questions and concerns you want to discuss with your doctor or nurse practitioner. Topics you may want to address include the following:

• What should I do if I think I’m in labor?
  • Do I call the office or come to the hospital?
  • What if it’s late at night or on the weekend?
  • If my doctor is unavailable, who will deliver my baby?
• For a home birth, when will the midwife come?
• What pain management options are available?
  • What are the risks and benefits of each?
  • How late into labor can I elect to receive these medications?
  • What natural pain management options are there?
• What are your thoughts on episiotomies?
  • Under what conditions would I need one?
  • What if I don’t want to have one?
  • How often do you do them?
• Are there any issues in my medical history or in my present pregnancy that may complicate delivery?
  • If so, what are the issues?
  • What can we do now to minimize any risks?
  • What will you do during delivery to minimize any risks?
• What are the reasons I might need a cesarean section?
• What happens if I pass my due date? Will I be induced? What does that entail?
  
• Should I create a birth plan?
• What are reasons for me to consider a doula?
• If I want to breastfeed, how soon can I get started? Will there be a lactation consultant available to help me and my baby as we learn to breastfeed?
• If I feed my baby formula, which one should I use? What supplies will I need? How do I prepare the formula?

• Checklist for Labor and Delivery
• Classes and Preparations