Earth Babies Blog

TIPS ON CHOOSING A CAREGIVER – Childbirth Connection

Subjects covered in this article:
** Why is choosing a caregiver one of the most important maternity decisions I will make?
** How will my choice of caregiver influence where I can give birth?
** What are important considerations when choosing a maternity caregiver?
** What are some insufficient reasons for choosing a caregiver?
** How do types of caregivers differ from one another?
** What if I change my mind and want to switch to another caregiver?

I find that when it comes to birth this is the area that women seem to jump in without really considering what they want. Some are lucky and get exactly the care they hoped for, others feel all their birth-wants are a fight, or feel pushed (sometimes gently and others with a hard shove) into the direction they were not wanting. So many of the latter then feel trapped out of dependency with a wrong caregiver who does not feel the same in return.
Changing a caregiver in pregnancy is a very scary prospect to have to deal with when all you want is consistency, refuge from the inevitable fear and safety in the care you receive for you and your child.

I like everyone else went to the obstetrician I had been to for previously, I never thought much further than I am ‘comfortable’ with him. I never considered whether he would be comfortable with the birth I wanted!
Luckily he was totally upfront when I said I wanted a waterbirth, by saying he does not do them but he would refer me to a good midwife – that in itself made me feel properly cared for. There was no judgement, or trying to talk me out of it, just upfront honesty as to how he chose to practice. He was still my back up caregiver so we went to him for those checkups that required scans or that the midwife requested a 2nd opinion.
When choosing the midwife I was just as blasé and simply went with the first of the 2 numbers he gave me, luckily it was the best lucky-pick for me.
With experience though and hearing so many stories from others that did not work out so well I have come to realise this is really the first area we should concentrate all our energy rather than focussing on which baby accessories we feel we need.

Your caregiver is the person who supports you when you feel most vulnerable and in need of someone to put your best interests first.

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