Making decisions about your care while pregnant

There is no shortage of decisions to make while pregnant. Do I wait 12 weeks to share the news or shout it from the rooftops right away? Hospital or home birth? Midwife or OBGYN?

Making these decisions can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to your medical care. Not only do you have the right to make decisions about your care, you also have the right to access the information you need to make these decisions.

Research shows that pregnant people may not be requesting the information they need to make these decisions. A 2019 survey study found that 41% of pregnant respondents held back from asking questions during prenatal provider visits. The reasons they gave for holding back included wanting care that differed from the clinician's preference, not wanting to be perceived as difficult, and feeling discriminated against. Those that reported holding back during the prenatal visits were five times more likely to report feeling pressured into interventions during labor and delivery (Cheng, 2020).

Here are some tips for getting the information you need to make decisions.

1. Make a list. In between visits, keep a running list of questions for your provider. Make it easy by keeping a notepad in your purse or a doc on your phone. Take time before each visit to prioritize you questions.

2. Use messaging tools. If you have an urgent question or don't get all of the answers during your visit, send your provider a message via your health system app.

3. Ask the nurse. Nurses and medical assistants are a wealth of knowledge. They also work in partnership with providers and can consult with them to get information or make a note in your chart to ensure the conversation happens.

4. Change providers. There are many great providers that will take the time to answer your questions. If your provider is not, or if you feel pressured to make a decision without the necessary information, it may be time to find a new one. You have the right to change providers at any time.

5. Hire a doula. Doulas help you prepare for prenatal visits, provide education, and refer you to resources. Most of all, doulas listen to you and remind you that you have the right to access information you need to make decisions.

References

Cheng ER, Carroll AE, Iverson RE, Declercq ER. Communications Between Pregnant Women and Maternity Care Clinicians. JAMA Netw Open. 2020 May 1;3(5):e206636. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.6636. PMID: 32459352; PMCID: PMC7254181.