If you do not, somebody else will.

The simple truth is that most health care providers do not have the time to spend with you to give you all the information you need to make informed choices during your pregnancy.  As women who have gone through the health care system can attest, most obstetrician’s offices are busy places and you may see the doctor for only a few minutes.  Most of your routine testing will be done by nurses.  The same thing  is true in the hospital.  Unless you are having a complicated delivery (and even then in most cases), you will see the nurses a lot more often than you will see the doctor.  The doctor usually only comes in for the actual delivery and stays for just a little while afterwards.

Hospitals and doctor’s offices are often high-volume places.  They help a lot of people and are not usually set-up to cater to special requests or are they able to spend a lot of time with each individual person. If you are fortunate enough to have a different experience with a doctor or hospital, count yourself lucky.

However, if you want something other than the routine care, you have to be proactive and make it happen.  Otherwise, it will not.  I cannot even tell you the number of times I have suggested to women who were having their babies in the hospital to hire a doula if they wanted to have a natural birth.  They often do not, thinking that a birth plan or just wanting a natural birth will suffice.  While birth plans are a great place to start, you need to have somebody who will help make your birth plan happen, and doulas are great at that.

Ask questions.  Lots and lots of questions.  If your health care provider is suggesting a test or procedure, ask what the risks and benefits are.  If it is a test, ask what the percentage of false positives are – you might be surprised.  If you feel like you are being brushed off or not taken seriously, remind yourself that you are the consumer, you are the one who hired the person who is helping you and you can always change your mind – although you have to be careful.  There are often laws governing how late in your pregnancy a health care provider can take you into care.

If you are serious about taking control of your health care during your pregnancy, consider working with a midwife.  The Midwives Model of Care is a set of guidelines that most midwives follow (again – ask) that ensures you will be collaborating with your care provider.  Most prenatal appointments with midwives last from 30 minutes to an hour, giving you plenty of time to ask questions.

No matter who you choose to help you through your pregnancy, labor and birth, it is up to you to educate yourself.  You will be glad that you did.