Questions to Ask Your Provider

Navigating healthcare decisions can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to bringing a new life into the world. To support birthing persons, we have developed a resource titled "Questions to Ask Your Provider."

This resource was made to help birthing persons feel more knowledgeable and confident when talking to their doctors during pregnancy, birth, and after the baby is born. Whether you're having your first baby or not, the questions are meant to assist you in speaking up for what you want, understanding your choices, and making sure you get care that's right for you and your baby.

Our goal is to give you a helpful guide for talking with your healthcare providers so that your birthing experience is positive and supportive for all.

Questions to Ask Your Provider:

• Are you providing or conducting any visits by video?
  • If so, which ones?
• Can my support person come with me to my prenatal visits?
  • If not, can they join by phone or video during the visit?
• What will change for me once I am admitted?
• What will happen if I delay getting admitted?
• Have your c-section and induction rates changed since the COVID-19 pandemic?
• Can I eat or drink during labor?
• What kind of foods, exercises, and supplements can help improve my chances of having a healthy delivery?
• Will any of my current health conditions and/or medications affect my pregnancy?
• What resources do you offer after delivery if I experience postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety?
• What resources like birthing, meditation, and parenting classes can you provide for my pregnancy?
• What are some of the risks I need to look out for during my pregnancy?
• What kind of visits are covered by my insurance? If visits are not entirely covered, what is my co-pay or total cost of each visit?
• What are the potential direct and indirect effects, risks, and hazards to me and my child because of the drug or specific procedure you’re administering?
• What are the benefits, risks, and alternatives to treatment?
• What are the risks and benefits of breastfeeding?
• If breastfeeding is not recommended for me, can you tell me why?
• What options do I have for my birthing procedure?
  • What are the pros and cons of each of them?
• How many people can come with me for labor support?
  • Can they come and go?
• Am I free to walk around the floor while I’m in labor?
• Are there any reasons that you would recommend that I be separated from my baby?
• What pain management options do you offer?
• Will I be able to use nitrous oxide for pain management?
• If I have questions about my pregnancy or health, how can I contact you, and how quickly should I expect a reply?
• What are my options for an out-of-hospital birth?
• Would you partner with a homebirth midwife?
• Do you accept homebirth transfers?
• What is covered by my insurance?
• Are there any routine visits you are no longer doing? 

Want to download the list of questions to ask your provider? Click the button below.