Advocating & Asking Questions

To Advocate for the Birth Plan

• "Can you confirm that our preferences for labor (e.g., movement, monitoring, or interventions) are still being taken into account?"

• "How are you monitoring her progress? Is this in line with the birth plan we discussed?"

• "Is it possible to adjust my partner’s care to avoid [insert specific preference from birth plan], unless medically necessary?"

• "Could you explain why [insert intervention] is being suggested, and if there are other options we can try first?"

To Maintain Comfort and Safety in the Birth Space

• "Can we dim the lights or adjust the room temperature to make things more comfortable for my partner?"

• "Is there anything we can do to help her stay relaxed and calm between contractions? Maybe some breathing or gentle touch?"

• "Is there a way to help her change positions or stay mobile during labor, even with the monitoring in place?"

To Advocate for Non-Medicated Pain Management

• "What are our options for pain relief right now? Are there any natural or non-medical methods we can try before considering an epidural?"

• "Is there time to try things like a warm bath, massage, or counter-pressure before discussing stronger pain relief?"

• "Could we try using the birthing ball or different positions to help her cope with the pain?"

To Ensure Baby’s Safety and Monitor Labor Progress

• "How is the baby handling labor? Are there any signs that we should be aware of?"

• "How far along is she now? Is there any indication that we need to make adjustments to our approach to labor?"

• "What is the baby’s position, and is there anything we can do to help turn or reposition the baby?"

To Address Medical Decisions and Interventions

• "What are the risks and benefits of moving forward with [insert medical recommendation, like an epidural, Pitocin, or forceps] at this point?"

• "Why are you suggesting an augmentation of labor right now, and can we try other options first?"

• "Can we discuss the reasons behind a potential cesarean or other major intervention before proceeding?"

To Support Emotional and Mental Well-Being

• "She seems overwhelmed—can we pause for a moment to help her relax and regroup?"

• "Is there anything we can do right now to reassure her or provide more emotional support?"

• "How can we help her feel more in control during this stage of labor?"

To Stay Informed About the Birth Process

• "How far along is she in her dilation? What’s the next step in her labor progression?"

• "Can you walk us through what’s happening right now in terms of her contractions and dilation?"

• "How are we progressing toward pushing? Are there any signs that we’re getting closer to delivery?"

To Manage and Respond to Unexpected Situations

• "If we need to make a change to our birth plan due to a complication, can you explain the situation and the options available?"

• "Can you explain the risks involved with [insert situation, like fetal distress or stalled labor], and what other steps we can take to avoid this?"

• "If an emergency arises, how can we ensure that we’re still keeping our desires in mind while making decisions?"

To Ensure Post-Birth Wishes Are Honored

• "Can we delay cord clamping, as we planned, unless there’s a medical reason not to?"

• "Is it possible for her to have immediate skin-to-skin with the baby after delivery?"

• "How soon can we start breastfeeding or initiate bonding after the birth?"