I’m so excited to have a guest post about talking to your doctor about your delivery from Hillary Erickson, a labor and delivery nurse! This post contains affiliate links to her course for your convenience.
You’re sitting in the exam room with a fist full of questions waiting for your few precious moments with the doctor who holds your life and your baby’s life in their hands. They breeze into the room and within minutes they breeze out and suddenly you realize you only got to 2 of those things. You asked the others, but they just don’t seem answered.
Does that ever happen to you? Sadly, it totally happens to me. I’m even a nurse, but somehow those doctors always wiggle out of anything I ask. It’s like you’re sitting in the principal’s office in third grade all over again.
I want to help you get the answers you need. Obviously the BIG one is to write down any questions or concerns you have. Placenta brain is real. But, here are 5 other keys to getting what you want from your delivery.
Stay natural
One of the most important things is to stay as close to nature as possible. That means, letting your baby come out when it darn well wants to. Yes, there are always reasons to induce early. I got induced with my last baby (after a lot of tears – anyone else cry a lot while they’re pregnant?). BUT the closer you can do whatever your body and your baby want, the more you tend to not have to deal with your doctor’s opinions as much. Also, you’re less likely to need interventions they provide.
Find a new doctor
If you REALLY aren’t seeing eye to eye with your doctor, I would strongly recommend calling your insurance to see if you can change. If it’s an option – ask around for recommendations. Ask people who have similar requests to yours. BUT, one thing to keep in mind — It sounds ludicrous, but you may not like the new one any better than the former one. Maybe you hate doctors (guilty). Try to be objective to your issues with him/her.
Informed Consent
Informed consent is required by any doctor before any procedure. Basically, it’s that the doctor needs to give you the risks, benefits and alternatives, as well as answer any questions, before any procedure.
I actually have a full webinar where I go into all of these areas pretty deeply, but informed consent the most. I mainly do it because I see women get pushed into things they’re not wanting, because the doctor pushes them places. Informed consent can prevent that and I would make SURE you get it. You can watch the full webinar replay right here.
Be flexible
Yes, you might have your heart set on no IV or no Pitocin, but maybe you don’t know how your body is going to react to having a baby. I think the VERY BEST thing you can do to get the labor you’re hoping for is to be flexible about what you’re hoping for. People with strict birth plans might as well just start asking for those things, because they almost always end-up needing them. Life is funny that way. And by funny, I mean sad….
Speak their language
There are a lot of ways to learn the language your doctor is speaking. The least effective one is asking them to explain everything. I would recommend taking a prenatal class. There are basically 3 options for that type of learning
a. Hospital-based classes: These can be great. I have even taught them and when I had my students later in labor they REALLY know their stuff. It made the day so easy and smooth! BUT, they often have small schedules and ours fill up quick as a wink. Plus, some nurses are insanely boring. Shame on them.
b. Community-based classes: These can also be great. Often taught by Doulas or other certified professionals who have a strong passion for labor and delivery. But, they can also be taught by Doulas who actually don’t have that much experience and can easily push their birth stories onto your own story. They can also be for many weeks and again – may not always be engaging.
c. Internet Learning: Isn’t it amazing how the internet works all night long. Gotta love that! But, you are never sure who’s writing it or if you’re actually learning the truth. Dr. Google is not the best doctor. There, I said it. Neither is Cinderella Cervix’s baby advice.
And here’s where I fit in. After 15 years in labor and delivery (and counting!) I finally wrote out my own prenatal class. After all the editing, adjustments and additions I am proud to say I actually think it’s better than any class I taught in person, because of my ability to really think things through. I am really excited to be able to offer it at a great price point with three different options to fit JUST what you’re needing. Go check it out!
I hope you enjoyed this guest post from Hillary, and take the time to check out her course! It can be so helpful to have the extra support!
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