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Talking to health professionals can be daunting. They have so much experience, and you don’t want to bother them with ‘silly’ questions. But remember – there’s no such thing as a silly question when it comes to your health and your baby’s wellbeing. All questions are valid!
Whether you’re seeing a midwife, GP, consultant or health visitor, they are there to offer advice and support and to answer any questions you have throughout your pregnancy. By speaking up, you help ensure the best possible care for yourself and your baby, so don’t be afraid to advocate for your needs – you deserve to be heard.
When you attend a booking in appointment with your midwife, they will run through a number of questions about your health, family history, previous pregnancies, etc. Their aim is to get a picture of your risk factors, so that they can design the right care path for you. However, this appointment is also an opportunity for you to ask your questions. It might be easiest to write these down before you go, so you don’t forget any. The below is a list of questions you might like to ask, grouped by trimester for ease. (This is just a suggestion and many of these questions will probably be answered during the course of your appointment.)
As a pregnant mother, you have the right to choose where to give birth and who to have with you when you give birth. You also have the right to physical autonomy and integrity – meaning you should be asked for your consent to treatment, unless you are medically unable to give consent.
This sounds intimidating, but what it means in practice is, for example, if you get to 40 weeks pregnant and your midwife suggests a sweep, it is for you to decide whether or not this is something you want.
You also have the right to sufficient, objective and unbiased information to enable you to make an informed choice. This applies throughout pregnancy, labour and delivery – and beyond. So, if you feel like you’re not getting enough information from your midwife or health professional, say so.
Writing a birth plan will help ensure you have your preferences in a form you can pass to your healthcare professionals to articulate your wants and needs when you can’t. You should also make sure your birth partner is familiar with your birth plan and your rights, so they can advocate for you if needed.
If you’re finding it difficult to get all the information you need from your appointments, hand a copy of your questions to your healthcare professional at the beginning of the appointment, so they can make sure they get through them all before you leave.
If there is something you feel strongly about, but you feel you are not being heard, take someone with you into your appointment to help bolster your confidence and advocate for you if you are struggling. You have the right to ask to see someone else if you feel like you have not connected with your regular midwife.
If you still have concerns, there are organisations that can help. Try Birthrightsfor advice and resources that may help you secure the right support or make a complaint.
