It is important that you feel well-informed about your antenatal care and have accurate expectations about what will happen when you go into labour.

If you choose to use a private obstetrician or midwife, ask about how they work and the fees they charge when you meet them so you can make an informed decision.

The following checklist suggests questions that you might ask your obstetrician or midwife.

Not all of the questions will apply to you and you will no doubt have extra questions that are specific to your situation or preferences.

When is my baby due? What other tests will I have? Do I need to make any lifestyle changes while I am pregnant (for example, diet, physical activity, alcohol and other drug use)? Can I continue to take my current medications? Are there any foods I need to avoid? Do you offer antenatal classes? Can I have a water birth? When should I stop working? Will you be there for the birth? How do I know when to come in to hospital? How long will I be in hospital? How many people can be in the delivery room with me? Can I use a Swiss ball/beanbag/birthing stool? What will you do if my labour slows? What happens if things don’t go to plan during a homebirth and I need emergency care? What methods of pain relief do you use or recommend during labour? What if there are complications during labour? At what point would you recommend inducing labour?Do you use forceps or vacuum-assisted delivery (ventouse)? What vaccinations will my baby have after the birth? The following checklists contain suggestions for questions you might like to ask your private midwife if you are thinking about having a Questions you might like to ask a private midwife about their experience may include:

  • What is your midwifery training
  • is there someone who will take over my care if needed? Who else will be present at the birth
  • what is their level of experience
  • training? Will I have any hospital appointments
  • when will these occur? Questions you might like to ask a private midwife about the care they will provide during labour
  • the birth of your baby may include: What things can I do to manage my pain at home? How do I prepare my home for giving birth? How do you monitor me
  • would you come with me
  • child health nurse

Is it too late to take folate ? Should I take any other supplements? Can I drink alcohol while I am pregnant ? Can I share my antenatal care with my general practitioner (GP)? Should I write a birth plan?

What is your preferred format? How much weight do you recommend I put on? What exercise do you recommend? Can I have a home birth ? Is it safe for me to travel overseas? Up until when in my pregnancy? In what situations would you recommend a caesarean section ? At what point would you do an episiotomy? Do I have to have an episiotomy? Specific questions for private midwives if you are thinking about having a homebirth homebirth Have you ever been involved in a case referred to the state coroner or to the American Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Michigan Medical Licensing Board) ? Will you offer me an injection of oxytocin to help deliver the placenta ( third stage of labour )? Are you trained and experienced in suturing? (This may be relevant if your perineum tears when you are giving birth.) Will you offer my baby a vitamin K and hepatitis B injection ? Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Your obstetrician Your midwife.