Having a baby is a big deal. Having support from a birth team you trust is an even bigger deal. This was my mission from my first prenatal appointment. If you have been following our story, you know our pregnancy was planned and I did/am doing a ton of research. That included researching my provider and ensuring their practices aligned with my vision. The birth and post-birth mortality rates for Black women are atrocious. I plan on coming home with a healthy baby and mama!
Below you will find the questions I asked my midwife at my first prenatal appointment. We can’t be shy when it comes to our health and safety. Especially that of our children. Don’t let this list overwhelm you. Most practices plan for this to be your longest appointment because they want you to ask questions. Keep it friendly and conversational and you will find that you breeze through this list.
After my initial visit, I actually ended up switching providers. I loved my OBGYN, but her hospital had a really high C-section rate, policies around how long you can carry, and a few other things that didn’t align with my vision for birth. It was important to me that I found a place where I was heard and supported in the way I wanted to give birth. I was able to quickly discern this by asking the questions below:
20 Questions To Ask At Your First Prenatal Visit
- What are the c-section rates for your hospital and your group?
- What are your views on VBACs (if this applies)?
- What hospital do you deliver at?
- Who, will I see for care and during labor and delivery? How long have they been practicing?
- Explain to me your approach to labor that may not be progressing as quickly as you would like? (Leave this open so you can see how they really administer interventions)
- What do you do in the event my baby is breech as we near labor? Do you deliver breech babies?
- How many weeks can I go before you induce?
- Do you offer wireless monitoring (can I move around during labor)?
- Can I push in different positions?
- What support items do you have (birth ball, peanut ball, etc.)?
- What is your practice doing to support Black mothers?
- What can I expect during my first trimester appointments?
- Can I eat and drink during labor?
- What are my options for pain management?
- Do you practice the golden hour?
- Do you practice delayed cord clamping? Can my partner cut the cord?
- What does breastfeeding support look like after delivery?
- What happens with me and the baby immediately after?
- What postpartum support do you offer and for how long?
- Are you available via phone/text/email? What hours are you not available?
As always, take what you need and leave what you don’t. I will continue to share my experience and do all I can to make sure you feel supported. Please let me know if you have any questions, and I am so excited to help you feel empowered and own your birth!
XOXO, Laya
Hello there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be ok.
I’m absolutely enjoying your blog and look forward to
new updates.
my webpage … รับเครดิตฟรี
Hi! I do, but I’m not active! I am most active on Instagram! The link is at the top of the website!
I truly love your website.. Very nice colors & theme.
Did you develop this amazing site yourself? Please reply
back as I’m planning to create my own blog and would
like to learn where you got this from or what the theme is called.
Kudos!
My blog :: สล็อตเครดิตฟรี
Thanks so much!! I purchased the theme off Etsy! It’s been a few years so I don’t remember the name!
Hey there! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I truly enjoy reading
through your posts. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that deal with the same topics?
Thanks for your time!
Feel free to surf to my homepage: Good Times @ Gatwick
Thanks so much for the kind words!! I don’t have any other suggestions at the moment but if I think of any I’ll let you know!
Good blog post. I absolutely appreciate this site. Keep writing!
Thank you so much!!! I will 🥰
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning
this article plus the rest of the website is really good.
I think this is one of the most vital information for me. And i am
glad reading your article. But wanna remark on some general
things, The web site style is perfect, the articles is really nice : D.
Good job, cheers
Thank you so much…I really appreciate your kind words!
Fantastic site you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any community forums that cover the same topics talked about here?
I’d really like to be a part of community where I
can get advice from other experienced individuals
that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know.
Kudos!
Thanks so much but I do not. Good luck!
Hey there terrific website! Does running a blog
similar to this take a great deal of work? I’ve very little knowledge of coding but I
was hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyhow, should you have any suggestions or techniques for new blog owners please share.
I know this is off topic however I just had to ask. Thanks a lot!
It takes some effort and planning but not a great deal of work! I purchased a preset template on Etsy and personalized it so I didn’t have to do much coding. I have a blog post on starting a blog under the resources tab that should help!
Hi! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established blog.
Is it very difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very
techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast. I’m thinking about making
my own but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any points or suggestions?
Many thanks
Hey, shoot me an email Aleah@thelayab.com
I wanted to thank you for this great read!!
I definitely loved every little bit of it.
I have you book marked to look at new things you post…
Thanks so much for your kind words! I am happy you are enjoying the blog!