Little Guide to Things Women Worry About While They’re Pregnant PLR Ebook

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Should I Choose A Doctor or Midwife?

Many women today put much thought into who they would like to care for them during their pregnancy. Some women are staying with the traditional OB/GYN doctors, and still some women are choosing to have a midwife care for them. The decision is simply a personal one. It is basically choosing between a more medical approach and a more personal, yet certified approach.

The Medical Approach

The medical approach can either be with a doctor or an obstetrician. Those women with high risk pregnancies or those who will deliver by C-section will probably need to choose the medical approach. The doctor feels that the caregiver should be prepared at all times in case of an emergency. A doctor may also feel that you should not go through your pregnancy or delivery without the use of medical equipment that is available.

Midwife Approach

The personal, yet certified, approach to pregnancy is through a midwife. One main thought a midwife has is that the mother should have choices about her pregnancy, labor, and delivery. They also believe that most of the time, medical equipment is not necessary. But midwives also believe that when a problem arises during a woman’s pregnancy, a doctor needs to be involved.

Choosing a midwife

When you start your search for a midwife, you will want to know how much training she has had. You may also want to know if she has a good working relationship with the medical staff at the hospital in case something should go wrong during labor or delivery. In general, choose a Midwife that will have the same beliefs that you do about your care during pregnancy. If money is an issue, you may want to find out if having a midwife is going to be covered by insurance. Or, which way will be the less expensive way to go. In other words, you will want to know how much your prospective midwife is going to charge you.

There are midwives that work in birthing centers in the hospital. Most of them are able to go into the delivery room with you if you choose to have your baby at the hospital. They encourage family involvement as much as possible. They also try to accommodate the mother and her wishes when it is medically possible.

The birthing room of the midwife is devoid of the medical and sterile look. Instead you will find a family friendly atmosphere that encourages family and friends to come and take your mind off your labor pains.

The midwife may also be available for six weeks after the birth of your baby. She will come to your home for postpartum checkups. She will not only be there for your physical health but also as your support person that will help you deal with any concerns you may have.

So, the most important thing to consider in choosing your caretaker is what needs do you want fulfilled during your pregnancy?

How to Write a Birth Plan

If you, as a pregnant woman, have specific requests that you want granted during your labor and birth, it may be wise to have everything planned out and written down in advance of the big event. This will ensure that all those that will be involved in the birth of your child will know your wishes and be prepared to grant them. Labor and delivery are really not the time to get involved in any lengthy discussions. You will have all you need to do just to keep your breathing in control and bring your child into the world.

Listed below are a few issues you and your partner may want to discuss and plan.

* Who you want to have with you during your labor.
* Do you want to bring your own music?
* Can you wear any of your own clothes?
* Do you want your partner with you at all times?
* Do you want to wear your contacts?
* Do you want to drink clear liquids instead of having an IV?
* Do you want fetal monitoring or let your labor run its course if mom and baby are doing ok?
* Do you want to use a birthing chair, stool, pool or tub?
* Do you want to be coached to push or do it on your own?
* What kind of position do you want to be in while pushing during delivery?
* If you want pain relief, do you want message, acupuncture, etc or medication? If medication, what kind?
* How do you want to birth to go? Would you like to view the birth, and have partner help?
* Do you want to hold your baby right away, and partner to cut the umbilical cord?
* After delivery do you or your partner want to be present at all times during the newborn procedures?