A very common scenario I see in my doula practice is women going to the same OB/GYN they had been seeing for well-woman care. All things are usually chugging along quite smoothly and their provider will usually agree to all their birth preferences UNTIL around the 32-34 week mark. This is sometimes when their OB’s true colors are shown in the prenatal visits. Often around this point, there starts to be increased pressure for cervical checks, scheduling an induction, and/or ultrasounds to see if the “baby is too big” and mom will require a planned c-section.

For clients experiencing this, it can be quite alarming if they initially set out to have a different pregnancy and birth experience. Women wanting to go totally unmedicated birth start to panic and realize they are NOT on the same page with their provider. Other women that may be very amenable to an epidural and/or an induction, start to realize that their provider really loves c-sections and seems very eager to schedule those. This puts the women in a very tough position. Stay with their provider and just agree to whatever their OB/the hospital “requires” or switch providers and birth locations late in pregnancy.

If you find yourself in this position, here are two tips to get you through…

1) You never HAVE to do anything that your provider recommends or hospital policy prefers!

It is your legal right as a human being in labor to have autonomy over what happens to your body. You can say no to cervical checks. You can refuse labor interventions like breaking your water, continuous fetal monitoring, or Pitocin (just to name a few). You can also always ask for a second opinion from another OB or Midwife on staff. These are your legal PATIENT RIGHTS. A good provider will support you in exercising these rights at any time during your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum season. And if you choose to say no to any intervention that is recommended… NOTHING BAD HAPPENS TO YOU. Your nurse or provider may be a little bit annoyed, but they just note it in your chart to cover themselves liability-wise (a very important step for them!) and then move along. You can always say no or I don’t consent. Those are complete sentences that should always be honored and respected.

2) You CAN change providers and/or birth locations… even late in your pregnancy!

You never have to stay with a provider that feels abusive, dismissive, or incredibly unkind. Hopefully, you never encounter a provider like this, but if you do, you can leave. Even if you just start to feel like you and your provider are not on the same page, you can leave. I frequently have doula clients switch providers or birth locations between 37-39 weeks and they are always thrilled with their decision to change. If you decide to change providers, late in the game, it really is quite easy. Simply make an appointment with the new provider’s office, complete your initial paperwork, and sign a consent form giving your new provider the ability to get access electronically to your past prenatal records. It’s really that easy… and it involves zero awkward break-up conversations!!

Don’t ignore your instructs or any red flags. You deserve a kind and respectful provider on your BIRTH day!!

Chicagoland Pregnancy Providers Who Accept New Clients Late in Their Pregnancies

Burr Ridge Birth Center in Burr Ridge, IL

https://www.burrridgebirthcenter.com/

Northshore OB/GYN Associates-at Evanston Hospital

https://nsago.com

OMG Midwives- at Hinsdale Hospital

https://www.instagram.com/omgmidwives/