Questions to ask when choosing a birth provider

You can change providers during pregnancy. Many people don't realize that until late in the process. Choosing someone whose approach matches yours is one of the biggest decisions you'll make, so it's worth asking questions early.

Know the main types of providers

• Obstetricians (OB-GYNs) are physicians who can manage both low- and high-risk pregnancies and perform cesareans.
• Maternal-fetal medicine specialists are obstetricians with extra training for high-risk pregnancies.
• Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs) care for low-risk pregnancies, most often in hospitals and birth centers.
• Certified professional midwives (CPMs) focus on out-of-hospital birth at home or in birth centers.
• Family physicians may provide prenatal care and attend births, depending on the practice.

Rules for who can practice where vary by state, so check what applies near you.

Questions worth asking

About their approach

• How do you decide when to recommend induction? What's your usual approach if I go past my due date?
• How do you support people who want to avoid an epidural? And people who want one early?
• What's your practice's cesarean rate? Do you support VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean)?

About who will be there

• Will you be at my birth, or whoever is on call? Can I meet the others in the practice?
• Which hospital or birth center do you deliver at? Who handles transfers if needed?

About how they listen

• How do you handle it when a patient disagrees with a recommendation?
• How do you make sure patients of every background feel heard and respected?

Pay attention to how they answer

A good provider won't be annoyed by these questions. Notice whether they explain their reasoning, whether they ask what matters to you, and whether you leave feeling more confident or less.

It's also worth asking friends, family, or local parent groups about their experiences with the providers you're considering.