Communicating with Your Doctor Effectively During Labor

Having had seven children naturally, learning something new with each labor. I can definitely tell you how to effectively communicate with your doctor while you are in labor. I want you to remember that you are the one in labor here. Whether it is your first or your fifth child, you are the patient and you deserve any question you have to be answered no matter how many times you ask it.

Many women who are in labor can and will get a little frustrated. This happens for many reasons, mainly from being scared and anxious as to the upcoming moments before your child is born. Reassurance can definitely help when this does happens, so getting the answers to your questions is the key. Unfortunately sometimes many doctors are not at the hospital until the baby is ready to be delivered. In those cases, the next best thing is your labor nurse.

Before going to the hospital I definitely recommend that all new and mommies who have had a child already make out a birth plan. This agreement allows you to set the rules the way you want them while you are in labor. My agreement stated that I did not want any IV's unless medically necessary due to the fact that I dislike needles. It also stated that I wanted my husband to be there every moment after the baby was born and he would give her, her first bath instead of the nurse.

Birth plans usually consist of the following. Labor preferences, monitoring preferences, labor induction, anesthesia, cesarean preferences, delivery preferences, immediately after delivery preferences, picture preferences as well as some other preferences that you yourself might add on to the plan. This is one of the most effective ways that you can communicate with your doctor to let him/her know exactly what you want and expect during labor. Both parties sign the agreement once it has been gone over. If there are any concerns regarding your birth plan, the doctor will tell you what to expect and ask if you agree on it.

Another way to be sure you are communicating with your doctor is to be stern and persistent when asking a question or when you have a concern. Do not let the doctor just ignore the question and move on to another. Have him/her explain exactly what it is you are concerned about no matter how unimportant it is. Having been through so many labors, doctors and nurses can make you very frustrated if they do not pay attention. This is unacceptable in any case. Make them pay attention any way that you can.

Since many doctors are not around in the labor rooms until it is time for labor. Keeping their phone number close by can be a huge help in many cases. This way if you have a question that you do not want the nurse to help you with, all you have to do is pick up the phone and get a hold of them. Most doctors have a beeper service and will contact you within five minutes of the page.

Last but not least, before you go into labor tell your doctor what you expect unless complications arise. Labor itself is not an easy job, it is difficult in many cases. However having good communication is the key to having a easier birth in general and can relieve some of the stress that does come with having a baby.

Be tough, to the point, and always make sure that you remind them that you are the one in labor not them.