One of the most critical decisions you will make in the course of your pregnancy is your birthing place and medical provider. These decisions are made early in the course of pregnancy, perhaps made on the basis of location, references, or insurance. As you understand more about your birth preferences you will want to be sure you are in alignment with your provider and the services your birthing place provides.
For example, if you’d like to have a water birth, but the hospital you choose doesn’t have tubs or doesn’t allow birthing in the tubs, you’ll need to rethink either your plan or your place of birth. If you want a Doula to be present, but your Dr’s office does not see the value in this type of support.. you can see there may be a conflict. It’s important to trust your instincts, because no one knows YOU as well as you do. Be prepared to ask your provider direct questions about their c-section and induction rates, feelings about Doula’s, unmedicated birth, use of alternate birthing positions, use of episiotomy, their knowledge of pelvic biomechanics and closed knee pushing.
Types of Birthing Places:
Hospitals
Birthing Centers (free standing or connected with a hospital)
Home
Types of Providers:
Doctors (M.D, D.O, Family Practitioner)
Midwives (Nurse-Midwives, Direct Entry Midwives, Lay midwives)
Nurse- Practitioners (may deliver in office care, but not delivery)
Physicians Assistant (can prescribe, do surgery, most functions of a Dr.)