By Emily Ramirez | Pregnancy & Parenting Writer, Mom of Two
Getting that positive pregnancy test is often exhilarating – and then reality hits. One of your first major decisions? Finding the right care provider to guide you through pregnancy and delivery. This choice matters more than you might think.
Why Your Care Provider Choice Actually Matters
Not all OBs or midwives practice the same way, even within the same hospital or practice. Your care provider influences everything from your interventions during labor to the positions you can birth in, the pain management options available to you, and even your postpartum care.
The care provider you choose can significantly impact your birth experience. Their C-section rate, intervention philosophy, and approach to shared decision-making all play a role in how your labor and delivery unfold.
What Evidence-Based Care Really Means
Evidence-based care simply means your provider follows current medical research and best practices. Medicine evolves constantly, but not every practitioner keeps pace.
Take episiotomies as an example. Once performed in over 60% of vaginal births in the late 1970s, rates have dropped to around 5-12% as of recent years, with expert organizations now recommending rates no higher than 5%. Yet some hospitals still perform them in 20-30% of deliveries simply because "that's how we've always done it."
Similarly, delayed cord clamping (waiting at least 30-60 seconds before clamping the umbilical cord) is now standard practice recommended by ACOG because it improves iron stores and developmental outcomes. But some providers still clamp immediately out of habit.
Understanding where your provider stands on current practices helps ensure you're receiving modern, research-backed care.
The Family-Centered Care Difference
Family-centered birthing locations prioritize your preferences and autonomy. They're less likely to push routine interventions like continuous IV fluids, Pitocin augmentation, or frequent cervical checks unless medically necessary.
These facilities typically offer:
- Multiple birthing position options (not just lying on your back)
- Access to comfort measures like birthing balls, tubs, and squat bars
- Support for both medicated and unmedicated births
- Respect for your birth plan preferences
When touring potential birthing locations, look for rooms equipped with tubs, birthing stools, and other comfort tools. The atmosphere should feel collaborative rather than purely clinical.
Important note: There's absolutely zero shame in how your birth unfolds. Whether you plan an unmedicated birth or request an epidural the moment you arrive, your preferences matter equally. This guide simply helps you find providers who support your choices.
Essential Questions to Ask Your Care Provider
Schedule a consultation with potential providers and come prepared. These questions will help you evaluate whether they're the right fit:
About Their Practice
"Walk me through what typically happens when I go into labor with your practice." This reveals their standard protocols and gives you a sense of what to expect.
"Is there a possibility you won't be the one to deliver my baby?" Many practices rotate call schedules. Know if you might meet your care provider for the first time during delivery.
"What's your C-section rate?" The national C-section rate has remained around 32% for the past decade, though the rate for first-time, low-risk mothers specifically was 25.3% in 2024. If they hesitate to share this number, that's a red flag. Your local doulas and midwives often know the real numbers.
About Birth Options
"Do you support both unmedicated and medicated deliveries equally?" You want a provider who respects both choices, not one who pushes their preference.
"What pain management options do I have beyond medication: birthing balls, tubs, bars, position changes?" Equipment access varies dramatically between facilities.
"What happens if I change my mind about my pain management plan during labor?" Whether you planned unmedicated and need an epidural, or vice versa, your provider should support you without judgment.
"Can I eat after being admitted, or will I need to fast until after delivery?" Policies vary. Some allow light snacks and liquids; others don't.
About Medical Interventions
"What's your policy on episiotomies, routine IVs, IV fluids, and Pitocin?" If they answer "when medically necessary," keep digging. What specifically constitutes medically necessary? Push past vague answers.
"How often do you perform cervical checks during labor?" Frequent checks aren't always necessary and can increase infection risk.
"Can I birth in positions other than lying on my back?" Upright positions, squatting, or being on hands and knees can make pushing more effective and comfortable.
"Will I have room to move around during labor?" Continuous fetal monitoring can restrict movement at some facilities.
"Do you practice delayed cord clamping?" ACOG recommends waiting at least 30-60 seconds before clamping the cord to improve infant iron levels and outcomes.
If You've Had a Previous C-Section
"Do you support VBACs (vaginal birth after cesarean)?" Not all providers or hospitals do. VBAC rates are increasing nationwide, but access remains limited in some areas.
About Decision-Making
"How are decisions made during labor? What if I'm unable to communicate?" Understanding your provider's approach to shared decision-making is crucial. Some providers prefer taking the lead; others prioritize collaboration. Neither is wrong, but you need to know which approach matches your preferences.
"What happens if I need a C-section or emergency interventions?" (Particularly important if considering a birthing center)
When Plans Don't Match Outcomes
Even the most detailed birth plan can change at any moment. Labor that stalls, unexpected complications, or medical emergencies can require interventions you didn't anticipate.
But educating yourself about your options helps you feel empowered and involved when things don't go as expected. You'll understand why certain decisions are being made and can participate meaningfully in your care.
You Deserve Respect, Regardless of Your Plan
Maybe you've created a comprehensive birth plan. Maybe your plan is simply "get this baby out safely." Both are completely valid.
Every person deserves to feel:
- Confident in their care provider
- Respected during labor and delivery
- Included in decision-making about their body and baby
- Supported in their choices, whatever those may be
When you ask questions during labor, your care team should provide clear explanations rather than dismissing your concerns. Respectful communication makes a significant difference during this vulnerable experience.
Red Flags to Watch For
Trust your instincts. Consider finding a new provider if yours:
- Dismisses your questions or concerns
- Refuses to share their C-section or intervention rates
- Makes you feel judged for your birth preferences
- Uses fear-based language to push interventions
- Doesn't listen when you speak
Switching providers mid-pregnancy isn't ideal, but it's better than feeling unheard during one of the most vulnerable experiences of your life.
What This Means for Your Birth Journey
Choosing the right care provider isn't about finding someone who guarantees a specific outcome – no one can promise that. It's about finding someone whose philosophy aligns with yours, who practices evidence-based medicine, and who will respect you as a partner in your own care.
Take the time to ask these questions. Tour multiple facilities if you can. Talk to other parents about their experiences. This research investment pays dividends when labor begins and you need to trust the team around you.
Our next reco: Labor Induction: When, Why and How It's Done
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