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| |    You Are a Key Participant in Your Care by Lisa Rodriguez, R.N. and Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. reviewed and revised by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. During the course of your pregnancy and delivery, your healthcare practitioner is likely to recommend several different medical tests or procedures. They might be for something as simple as a blood test or as significant as a cesarean. In an ideal situation, you will feel complete trust in your doctor or midwife and her recommendations. She will take care to explain everything to you without your even asking. In the real world, however, patients can feel uninformed, confused, or pressured. If you find yourself in this situation, rest assured that you deserve to be an active participant in your own medical care. Take a proactive role, and make sure that you get the explanations you need to make informed decisions. Feel free to consult with trusted advisors The first step is to try to establish a good relationship with your healthcare practitioner. If you can communicate clearly and openly with each other from the start, you'll feel more comfortable asking questions and more trustful of her recommendations. Even if you have a great relationship with your doctor, however, you still may feel uneasy with a certain recommendation she makes. In this case, it is perfectly appropriate to take time to make decisions with your partner or support team. Ask your practitioner to give you some time alone with whomever you want to talk to, even if only for a few minutes. This will help take off some of the pressure and allow you to consult with someone who may be thinking a little more clearly than you are at the time. In some cases, it may be appropriate to ask for a second medical opinion. Remember, your consent is required by law before all medical procedures. Timely questions Many times, procedures are recommended in situations that require quick action for medical reasons. When decisions need to be made quickly, it may be hard to think of all the questions you need to ask in order to make an informed choice. We have developed a list to help you think of questions you may want to discuss with your practitioner in these situations. Feel free to print this list of questions below, and stick it in your purse or pocket-just in case.
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