5 Red Flags That Your Doctor Isn't Supporting Your Birth Plan

EP 85:

Imagine spending months crafting your perfect birth plan—only to find out when labor starts that your doctor isn’t actually on board. 😳 It happens more often than you think, and it can lead to unnecessary interventions and a birth experience you regret.

In today’s episode, I’m revealing five major red flags that indicate your doctor might not truly support your birth plan. Plus, I’ll share exactly what you can do to make sure you have a provider who respects your wishes.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
🚨 The #1 sign that your doctor doesn’t take your birth plan seriously
🚨 Why some providers push inductions for their convenience (not yours!)
🚨 How to spot a provider who doesn’t respect unmedicated births
🚨 The key questions you NEED to ask to find the right doctor

Links & Resources:
📚 Grab my Bump To Bundle Blueprint – Your complete guide to pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding! [Insert link]
 

Transcript

0:05

Hi, I'm Stephanie Poole, founder and CEO of Birth Prep Academy. I'm on a mission to help pregnant moms prepare for their first hospital birth. I'm sharing revealing conversations about what it really takes to successfully transition into motherhood. So join me. We're here to discover things like what to expect in childbirth, how to prepare for your birth. We'll also talk about breastfeeding and so much more. I'm so grateful to share it all with you right here on Oh, Baby, the podcast created for pregnant moms, preparing for their first hospital birth. Let's get started. So imagine this, you spend months crafting your birth plan, only to realize that when labor starts, your doctor isn't actually on board. Yes, unfortunately, it happens more often than you know. And if your provider isn't truly supportive, you could find yourself pressured into unnecessary interventions or decisions that go against what you really want. So stick with me because by the end of this video, I'll show you Five major red flags that show that your doctor might not support your actual birth plan. And I'll also give you what you can do right now to avoid having a birth experience that you may regret. Okay, so let's start with the biggest red flag. Your doctor rolls their eyes or simply brushes off your birth plan. If they say things like, well, we'll see how things go, or that's nice, but we'll do what's safest. Then that may be a sign that they don't necessarily take your preferences seriously. A good, supportive doctor will be willing to discuss your birth plan in detail and not just dismiss it like it's a wish list. Alright, red flag number two. They push inductions on you. If your doctor is already talking about scheduling an induction for non medical reasons, things like their vacation or hospital policies, I want you to politely stand up, gather your things, and run. Inductions should be based on medical necessity, not convenience. right, red flag number three. They don't support unmedicated births. If you hear your doctor saying things like, Oh, you'll be begging for that epidural or no one actually does it without meds. You know that, right? Listen, both of those statements are major signs that they are not on board with unmedicated births. A supportive doctor will discuss all options without their personal biases. So remember that. All right, moving into red flag number four, They refuse to discuss alternatives. Listen, if you bring up things like delayed court clamping, intermittent monitoring, or different pushing positions, and they just immediately shut it down, that is a huge red flag. A good provider is willing to have open discussions, even if they have their own medical preferences. Now, red flag, number five, they make you feel guilty for asking questions. If your doctor gets annoyed when you ask about risk benefits or alternatives, that is not okay. As a matter of fact, let me, we're going to rewind back. Let me say it again. If your doctor makes you feel guilty when you ask about risk benefits or alternatives, That is not okay. You deserve a provider who welcomes your questions and makes you feel empowered and not guilty. So what can you do? Start interviewing your provider right now. If you notice these red flags, it's time to start asking more direct questions. Like, can you tell me how you typically support unmedicated births? I'd like to know more about that. You can also say something like, um, I'm interested to know, like, what is your stance on delayed court clamping? Do you have more information about that? You can also ask something like, under what circumstances do you typically recommend an induction? If they hesitate or brush you off, then that is your answer, my friend. It might be time to find a new provider who actually supports you. Now that you know how to spot these red flags, let's talk about something even bigger. Why do some moms walk away from birth feeling traumatized while others feel empowered? In the next video, I'm breaking down the real difference between labor horror stories and empowered birth. And I'm going to show you how you can make sure that your birth story is one that you feel good about. So if you want to avoid birth trauma and take control of your experience, go ahead and click on the next video now.