Questions You've Asked Your Doctor

[heythere]

I'm not sure about Lamaze classes specifically, but I took a general childbirth class before my DD was born that included breathing techniques.

Some other random topics I've discussed with my doc during this pregnancy include:
- my general birthing preferences (pain management, etc)
- circumcision decision
- my practice's thoughts on episiotomies
- hospital tour
- breast feeding support at the hospital
- refresher on signs of labor to look for and when to call/come in
- where to check in at hospital when in labor (during the day it's one place and overnight you to thru the ER)

[VillainV]

I plan on asking about circumcision (who does them, when, how).

[greencrayon]

Jan 5, 2014 1:01:37 GMT -5 VillainV said:

I plan on asking about circumcision (who does them, when, how).

At our hospital, the ob does it. We asked why a few weeks ago, since their whole career is vaginas lol. He said they're trained surgically and pediatricians are not. The baby has to pee once first.

[winemaker06]

Jan 5, 2014 9:17:21 GMT -5 greencrayon said:

Jan 5, 2014 1:01:37 GMT -5 VillainV said:

I plan on asking about circumcision (who does them, when, how).

At our hospital, the ob does it. We asked why a few weeks ago, since their whole career is vaginas lol. He said they're trained surgically and pediatricians are not. The baby has to pee once first.

They're all different so definitely ask! Our hospital pediatrician does it, or our chosen pediatrician will do it in the office later.

[natablue]

Jan 5, 2014 1:01:37 GMT -5 VillainV said:

I plan on asking about circumcision (who does them, when, how).

I need to ask about this, since I'm using a midwife. I am guessing the hospital must have a pediatrician that does this before we go home?

[browneyedgirl9]

Jan 5, 2014 10:07:04 GMT -5 natablue said:

Jan 5, 2014 1:01:37 GMT -5 VillainV said:

I plan on asking about circumcision (who does them, when, how).

I need to ask about this, since I'm using a midwife. I am guessing the hospital must have a pediatrician that does this before we go home?

I see a midwife as well at my practice. They told me that one of the OB's at the practice will do the procedure because the midwife is not trained to.

[natablue]

Jan 5, 2014 10:19:52 GMT -5 browneyedgirl9 said:

Jan 5, 2014 10:07:04 GMT -5 natablue said:

I need to ask about this, since I'm using a midwife. I am guessing the hospital must have a pediatrician that does this before we go home?

I see a midwife as well at my practice. They told me that one of the OB's at the practice will do the procedure because the midwife is not trained to.

Good point. There is an OB in the practice, he's a perinatologist. I will ask if he does them.

[mannah]

Jan 5, 2014 10:44:37 GMT -5 natablue said:

Jan 5, 2014 10:19:52 GMT -5 browneyedgirl9 said:

I see a midwife as well at my practice. They told me that one of the OB's at the practice will do the procedure because the midwife is not trained to.

Good point. There is an OB in the practice, he's a perinatologist. I will ask if he does them.

In my state (MA) certified nurse midwives can do them if they have been trained so it might be worth asking.

[mellimel19]

Jan 4, 2014 21:51:48 GMT -5 @callmefia said:

I asked later on how they could tell what was a head and what was a butt by feel. They didn't have a great answer but I was able to figure it out eventually.

How DO you tell if it's a head or a butt by feel, and at how many weeks were you able to tell the difference? I asked at my last appointment, and the doctor said she couldn't really tell either.

[Stingyshark]

Jan 5, 2014 10:07:04 GMT -5 natablue said:

Jan 5, 2014 1:01:37 GMT -5 VillainV said:

I plan on asking about circumcision (who does them, when, how).

I need to ask about this, since I'm using a midwife. I am guessing the hospital must have a pediatrician that does this before we go home?

My sister & friend both had them done in the pediatricians office - their pediatrician would have done it either in the hospital or office - it was cheaper for it to be done in the office. (neither of them had any problems with it being done in the office.. I mean infections, etc.)

[smock]

I always ask what to expect in the upcoming 4 weeks (or however long until my next appt). I also asked if pregnant women just spend a ridiculous amount of money on bras since my size keeps changing.

I'm just under 19 weeks so I haven't asked a lot of labor/baby questions yet.

[greencrayon]

Jan 5, 2014 12:05:13 GMT -5 smock said:

I always ask what to expect in the upcoming 4 weeks (or however long until my next appt). I also asked if pregnant women just spend a ridiculous amount of money on bras since my size keeps changing.

I'm just under 19 weeks so I haven't asked a lot of labor/baby questions yet.

My boobs shrank during pregnancy =[

I've asked:
- which way is the baby facing (down! Yay!)
- what is this awful pain in my pelvis and what can I do about it? (tendons stretching - take baths and tylenol)
- how long after I give birth can I have a mirena inserted (8 weeks - to give the uterus enough time to stop changing shape to prevent side effects)
- can I drink wine (yes, in moderation)
- how can I stop vomiting? (phenergan[didn't work,] zofran [worked, but omg constipation,] and prevacid [miracle drug!])
- why is my blood pressure going up (BP goes up at the end of pregnancy, apparently)
- what is their policy on cord clamping? (45 seconds)
- what different pain management methods are available to me

[mellimel19]

Thanks @callmefia! I guess I'll just have to wait until my 36 week appointment to be able to tell, since that's the next time I'll have an ultrasound. Boo

[MrsDarcy]

Jan 5, 2014 1:01:37 GMT -5 VillainV said:

I plan on asking about circumcision (who does them, when, how).

At our hospital a pediatric urologist does them. He was fantastic.

[iteach10]

Jan 5, 2014 11:29:58 GMT -5 mellimel19 said:

Jan 4, 2014 21:51:48 GMT -5 @callmefia said:

I asked later on how they could tell what was a head and what was a butt by feel. They didn't have a great answer but I was able to figure it out eventually.

How DO you tell if it's a head or a butt by feel, and at how many weeks were you able to tell the difference? I asked at my last appointment, and the doctor said she couldn't really tell either.

It's not very pleasant, but my midwives will palpitate around my uterus to figure out position. You might want to try this website... I didn't actually draw on my belly, but it has helped. Belly mapping-spinning babies  

[mellimel19]

That is really neat, iteach10, thanks for the link. I will definitely have some fun trying out the belly mapping.