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Birth Team Considerations

A Certified Doula Answers Questions on Choosing a Birth Team

By Kelly Camden, Certified Doula

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When a mother is choosing who she would like to attend her birth, there is much to consider. She wants care providers and family members to be supportive of her needs, as well as being emotionally and physically supportive during the labor process, to help her feel safe and calm. The spectrum of care providers ranges from those who offer specialized surgical care, to others who do not offer medical care at all. Find out more about the modern birth team and how you can work with them to receive the type of maternity care and labor support that is right for you.

Q. I just found out that I am pregnant. Can I continue to work with the provider that I have been seeing for gynecological care?

Yes, that is an option. However, pregnancy is a time when a woman's health care needs expand; therefore it is a great opportunity to reassess your choice of care providers. During pregnancy, birth and postpartum, women want to find support and respect for their health care needs and preferences. Who takes the time to answer your questions? Which provider brushes off your concerns? Which providers leave you feeling confident after you visit them?

Q. Do you recommend using a doctor or a midwife for maternity care?

When choosing a care provider, it may help to look at the statistics on the outcomes of midwifery care, obstetrics and family practice physician care in the United States and in your area. Ideally, parents will begin by finding a midwife that they like, knowing that midwives screen their patients for health concerns. If there are concerns that arise during pregnancy, labor or beyond, a physician will be consulted. If necessary, care can be transferred to that provider.

Q. I saw an article about water birth and would like to have one. Do all care providers offer water birth?

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