Pregnancy can be an overwhelming journey, and one that can cause your head to buzz with a host of emotions, concerns, frustrations and fears, many of which can be put down to any unanswered questions you may have.
They say knowledge is power, and this is definitely the case when it comes to pregnancy; the more information you have the better prepared you will be when it comes to labour or even knowing when something is wrong.
To put your mind at ease, make sure you ask your doctor the following questions:
1. "What is this test for?"
No, not because it may be unnecessary – doctors and midwives know what they are doing – but it is always good to know, even for your own sanity!
2. "Are there any alternative methods?"
If something doesn’t feel right or goes against your gut instinct don’t be afraid to ask for an alternative method! There may or may not be another option but it won’t hurt to ask!
3. "What if I do nothing?"
Just because a doctor or midwife advises you to take a particular course of action, unless you or your baby is in danger, you don’t have to. A simple “what if I do nothing?” question can help put your mind at ease or even open up the possibilities of other treatment options.
4. "What are the side effects?"
Different drugs have different types of side effects, and some have none at all. If you are being offered a particular medication ask what the side effects are – it is always better to know than to not.
5. "What forms will I need to fill out upon admission?"
You will need to sign a few forms when you are admitted to hospital, even if you are in pain! Do ask your midwife or doctor what these forms are because, trust us, when it comes to filling them in you won’t care what you are signing away.
6. "What pain medication is available?"
There are many different types of pain medication and it is important you know exactly what is offered and what isn’t. This way you will be able to make an informed decision on what you want and don’t want.
7. "How many doctors/ midwives will be in the delivery room?"
There may be more people than you would like in the room when you are in labour, and while you may not have a say in how many medical professionals are there, it is always good to know what to expect. If you are worried about delivering in front of a roomful of people do make your concerns known – if the doctors don’t know they won’t be able to help you.
