Choosing a Caregiver

Why is choosing a caregiver one of the most important maternity decisions I will make?

• the care that you receive and the effects of that care
• the quality of your relationship with your main and other caregivers
• the amount of information you receive
• the choices and options you will have, particularly during your labor and birth
• the degree to which you are involved with decisions about your care.

What are important considerations when choosing a maternity caregiver?

• caregiver's practices are consistent with the best available research about safe and effective care
• caregiver's practices work with the physiology of pregnancy and birth — your body is finely tuned to do this work; some actions support this work, while others interfere with it
• the two of you are able to develop a strong relationship with good communication and mutual trust and respect
• the caregiver's personal style is compatible with your needs, preferences, and values.

What are some insufficient reasons for choosing a caregiver?

• that person practices near your home or workplace — convenience is nice, but you may need to travel further to find the right person
• you know someone who worked with that person — even if recommended by a friend or relative, you will want to be sure that a maternity caregiver's style will meet your needs and values and reflects the best available research
• that person is a woman, or a man — if you have a preference for caregiver gender, you will want to be sure that that person's maternity philosophy and style of practice match well with your needs and values and with the best available research
• that person has been your provider for well-woman or primary care — you will want to learn about that person's maternity philosophy and style of practice before making your decision.

How do types of caregivers differ from one another?

• philosophy of birth and model of care
• style of practice — this includes the amount of time spent with you, interest in sharing information and involving you in decision-making, and preferences for use of interventions
• birth settings — most caregivers work at one or two sites, and few offer the full range of hospital, out-of-hospital birth center, and home birth.
• whether specific types of caregivers are available in your area
• whether your insurance will cover their services.

What if I change my mind and want to switch to another caregiver?

• you have enough time to explore options and find a situation that you believe will work better for you
• the new caregiver or setting has no policies that prevent you from making this change at that time in your pregnancy
• your insurance will cover the new arrangements, or you are willing and able to pay out of pocket.