Choosing Your Birth Team: It’s OK to Explore Beyond Your Usual OBGYN

When it comes to preparing for childbirth, one of the most important decisions you will make is choosing the right birth team. While many expectant parents automatically default to their long-time OBGYN, it’s important to remember that pregnancy and childbirth bring a unique set of needs, preferences, and circumstances. The healthcare provider you’ve been seeing for your routine gynecological care may not necessarily align with your vision for labor and delivery.

Whether you're planning a hospital birth, a birth center experience, or considering a home birth, taking the time to find the right provider and support team is essential. Let’s explore why it’s worth considering other options and what key questions you should ask before making your choice.

Why You Don’t Need to Stick with Your Usual OBGYN

For many people, continuing care with the same OBGYN can feel comforting, especially if you’ve built a longstanding relationship. However, pregnancy and childbirth are unique experiences that may require a provider with specialized approaches that align more closely with your needs. For example:

• Birth Preferences: If you're exploring a birth plan that includes low-intervention techniques or water birth, your current provider may not have the experience or flexibility to support these preferences.

• Hospital Privileges: Not all OBGYNs deliver at every hospital. If you have your heart set on a particular hospital, birthing center, or even a home birth, you’ll need to choose a provider who has privileges at that location.

• Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC): If you've had a previous C-section and are considering a vaginal birth this time, not all providers are experienced or supportive of VBAC. In this case, finding a provider with a high success rate in VBAC deliveries could be crucial.

Consider Your Birth Preferences and Location

When choosing your birth team, it’s important to first reflect on your birth preferences and where you envision giving birth. Different providers may specialize in different approaches, and their hospital or birth center affiliations can have a significant impact on your experience.

For example:

• Are you looking for a low-intervention or natural birth experience?

• Would you like access to options like hydrotherapy or nitrous oxide during labor?

• Do you have specific desires for immediate skin-to-skin contact or delayed cord clamping?

Your birth preferences should guide you to a provider who is fully supportive of your goals. Don’t be afraid to switch providers if your current OBGYN doesn’t align with your vision.

Key Questions to Ask When Choosing Your Provider

As you research potential birth team members, it’s essential to ask specific questions that can help you make an informed decision. Here are a few questions that can give you a clearer picture of how they will handle your pregnancy and labor:

1. How do you typically manage labor and delivery?
   Every provider has a different approach to labor management. Some might have a more hands-off approach, while others are more involved in every step. Ask whether they support practices like intermittent monitoring, mobility during labor, or pushing in different positions.

2. Where do you have hospital or birth center privileges?
   If you have a specific hospital or birth center in mind, make sure your provider can deliver there. Some providers may also be affiliated with more than one location, giving you flexibility in your decision.

3. What is your philosophy on medical interventions?
   Some providers may take a more interventionist approach to birth, while others may prioritize waiting for labor to progress naturally. Ask about their stance on inductions, epidurals, and cesarean sections.

4. What’s your approach to emergencies?
   While we all hope for smooth deliveries, it’s important to understand how your provider handles emergencies. Ask about their cesarean section rate and how they make decisions regarding assisted deliveries (forceps, vacuum, etc.).

5. Who will be present at my birth?
   Some larger practices rotate between multiple doctors, meaning your primary OBGYN may not be present when you go into labor. Find out whether you will know who is attending your birth ahead of time, or if it will be based on a rotating schedule.

6. Do you support the presence of a doula or additional support?
   If you're planning to hire a doula, make sure your provider is comfortable with this and open to collaborative care. Some providers fully embrace doulas, while others may not.

7. How often will I see you during labor?
   Some OBGYNs will check in periodically during labor, leaving most of the monitoring to nurses or midwives, while others are more hands-on. Ask how involved your provider will be throughout the process.

8. What are your postpartum care policies?
   Postpartum care is often overlooked, but it’s a crucial part of recovery. Ask about how many postpartum visits are included and whether they offer support for things like breastfeeding, mental health, and pelvic floor recovery.

Building the Rest of Your Birth Team

In addition to your primary healthcare provider, you may also want to consider other professionals to round out your birth team, such as:

• Midwives: If you’re planning a low-intervention or natural birth, a midwife may be a better fit than an OBGYN. Midwives tend to have a more holistic approach to pregnancy and labor.

• Doulas: A doula provides emotional, physical, and informational support before, during, and after childbirth. While they are not medical professionals, their support can be invaluable in navigating labor and helping you advocate for your preferences.

• Birth Centers or Hospitals: Whether you opt for a hospital or a birth center, it’s important to feel comfortable with the environment where you’ll deliver. Some hospitals have specialized units that offer a more homelike setting, while birth centers are known for their holistic and family-centered approach.

• Pediatricians: Choosing a pediatrician who shares your philosophy on newborn care is important, especially if you have strong feelings about topics like vaccinations, newborn screenings, or circumcision.

Trust Your Instincts

Ultimately, the most important thing is that you feel confident and supported by your birth team. Don’t hesitate to interview multiple providers, ask tough questions, and trust your instincts. If something feels off, it’s okay to keep searching until you find the right fit.

Choosing the right birth team is a deeply personal decision, and you deserve to feel empowered and heard every step of the way. Taking the time to find the right provider for your pregnancy and birth preferences is a key step in having a positive, empowering birth experience.