All pregnant moms-to-be want reassurance — a steady hand that bolsters their confidence of having a safe pregnancy and delivery. What are a few things that moms-to-be can do to be their steadying hand and increase their chances of having a safe pregnancy and delivery?
Obstetrician & Maternal Mortality Expert, “Rural Doc” Alan Lindemann, M.D., author of the forthcoming book "Pregnancy Your Way," has over 40 years of experience, over 6000 babies delivered, and can provide four tips for increasing the chances that your pregnancy and delivery will be safe and sound.
Dr. Alan’s 4 Tips for a Safe Pregnancy & Delivery
1) Interview Your Obstetrician: While it may feel intimidating or scary to think about, getting answers to the tough questions early on helps establish your feeling safe with your pregnancy, and gives you confidence that you and your obstetrician are on the same page. Consider questions like:
- How many babies have you delivered? Experience is especially important in obstetrics.
- Have you had any maternal deaths? If your obstetrician has had a number of maternal deaths, you might want to continue your search for another obstetrician.
- Will you be the one delivering my baby? Often, the obstetrician you’re working with may not be the one to deliver your child.
- Who will see me on regularly scheduled prenatal visits? In some offices, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, or midwives do most of the prenatal visits.
2) Monitor Your Blood Pressure: Know what your baseline blood pressure was before you became pregnant, and monitor your blood pressure daily once pregnant. You should contact your obstetrician or midwife if your blood pressure goes up more than 10 points from your established baseline. High blood pressure while pregnant can be a sign of preeclampsia, a potentially fatal condition for both you and your baby. The increasing blood pressure accompanying preeclampsia is treatable.
3) Get an Advocate: It might be a midwife, but is often a doula. You especially want an advocate in the delivery room with you. Your doula can watch what’s going on and help you decide what is best for you as choices come up in your labor and delivery. Make sure one of your questions to your obstetrician is “Will I be allowed to have my support team in the birthing room with me?”
4) Avoid C-sections Whenever Possible: C-sections are major operations. There are several risks associated with c-sections, including a possible infection of the lining of the uterus, postpartum hemorrhage, or blood clots. If you want to avoid c-sections (and I recommend that you do), then you should ask your obstetrician at your initial interview “How many c-sections have you performed?” An obstetrician’s c-section rate should be around 15 percent. If it's greater (especially if it hovers around 30 percent) you should consider interviewing other obstetricians.
“You have the final decision about the options you are offered in pregnancy, except perhaps in certain emergencies,” adds Dr. Lindemann. “The buck stops with you. Even if your obstetrician thinks a different choice is a better option.”
For more information, visit the online press kit at DrAlanLindemann.
About Dr. Lindemann:
An obstetrician and maternal mortality expert, “Rural Doc” Alan Lindemann, M.D. teaches women and their families how to create the outcomes they want for their own personal health and pregnancy. A former Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of North Dakota, he is currently a clinical faculty member available to serve as preceptor with medical students in rural rotations. In his nearly 40 years of practice, he has delivered around 6,000 babies and achieved a maternal mortality rate of zero! Learn more at LindemannMD.com and PregnancyYourWay.com.
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