Choosing a Provider That Aligns with Your Birth Goals
Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters, each roughly three months long. Most people begin prenatal care in the late first trimester, around 8–12 weeks, and continue with visits approximately every four weeks through the second trimester.
Many people end up with a provider for one of the following reasons:
They were already seeing them for gynecological care and continued for pregnancy.
A friend, family member, or another provider recommended the OB or midwife.
They chose based on office location, convenience to home or work.
As pregnancy progresses, many people develop stronger opinions on how they’d like their birth to unfold. However, that vision doesn’t always align with their provider’s standard of care.
Common Points of Concern
Some key topics where provider policies may not match a client’s birth preferences include:
Vaginal breech birth or the birth of twin B
VBAC policies, including epidural and induction options
Access to tubs for labor
Induction timing
Pressure for interventions during labor
Support for elective C-sections
Many of our second-time clients felt unsupported during their first birth but didn’t realize they had other options at the time.
What to Do If You Feel Unsupported
If you’re not feeling supported or aligned with your provider prenatally, it’s unlikely to improve as your pregnancy progresses or during labor. The good news? Switching to a different practice that better supports your birth goals is almost always an option.
We’ve worked with dozens of clients who switched providers in their third trimester—many even in the last 3–4 weeks of pregnancy. While this may mean birthing at a different hospital or dealing with a longer commute, there are options available.
Your doula’s role isn’t to tell you where to give birth, but we are a resource to help you explore providers that may better fit your goals if you’re unhappy with your current care.
How to Determine Provider Alignment Early
Rather than waiting until the third trimester, consider these steps early on to ensure your provider supports your birth goals:
Ask your doula about your doctor’s or hospital’s typical standard of care.
Bring up your birth preferences at early prenatal appointments—even if your provider says that’s for later visits.
Tour the birth facility early in pregnancy.
Take a childbirth class sooner rather than later to understand your options.
If you have concerns about whether your provider aligns with your birth goals, email us! We’re happy to help.