Resources
Questions for Your Care Team
Use these questions to slow the moment down, ask for clarity, and advocate for yourself and your baby during labor, delivery, newborn care, and discharge.
Ask clearly
Bring These Topics Up
You deserve clear answers, plain language, and a care team that responds to concerns. These prompts can help you ask direct questions and understand what comes next.
Labor concerns
What are you seeing right now? What concerns you most? What changes would make you recommend a different plan, more monitoring, or a C-section?
Delivery decisions
What are the risks of continuing this approach? What alternatives are available right now? Who is making the decision, and when will the doctor be at bedside?
Newborn condition
How is my baby transitioning? Are there any signs of distress, poor tone, breathing trouble, swelling, color change, or injury that need immediate evaluation?
Going home
What specific warning signs should send us back immediately? What should we watch for in feeding, breathing, color, movement, swelling, temperature, and responsiveness?
Conversation starters
Questions by Stage
Use these examples as a starting point. If something feels off, keep asking until you understand the answer and the next step.
During labor
Ask: What is the baby’s status? Are there signs of distress? What is the backup plan if labor is not progressing safely?
During delivery
Ask: Why is this intervention being used? What are the risks? If this does not work, what happens next and how quickly?
After birth
Ask: Is my baby’s exam reassuring? What findings are normal, and what findings need follow-up, imaging, or a specialist review?
Support
Need Help Sharing This?
If you want educational materials for an OB clinic, primary care office, urgent care, or community group, reach out and we can help you share these questions and warning signs.