Choosing a hospital and doctor for birth: questions to ask

The hospital and doctor you choose for birth are among the first decisions you talk about in pregnancy. There is no single best option for everyone; there is the one that suits your health, expectations, budget and distance from home. This article is not here to praise or criticise any option, but to list the questions you can ask.

Know the options

• Public hospitals: Usually accessible through your health coverage; some have strong neonatal intensive care units.
• University hospitals: May have specialist teams for high-risk pregnancy and complex situations; as teaching hospitals, many staff may be involved.
• Private hospitals: Room and comfort options can differ; ask about coverage and fees.

Each type also varies within itself. Looking at the practices of the hospital or ward matters more than the name. For costs and social security details, see the article on birth benefits and social security coverage.

Questions you can ask

1. Does the hospital have a neonatal intensive care unit, or is the baby transferred elsewhere when needed?
2. Is skin-to-skin contact offered straight after birth, and is it possible after a caesarean too?
3. Can my partner or a close person be with me? Can they enter the operating theatre?
4. Is breastfeeding support provided? Is there a lactation consultant?
5. Is an epidural available 24/7? Is the anaesthetic team in the hospital at night?
6. Is the delivery room private? Can I move and use different positions?
7. Does the baby stay with me (rooming-in)?
8. Can I prepare a birth plan, and how does the team respond to it?
9. What are the length of stay and the follow-up arrangements?

Asking about caesarean rates

Asking a hospital about its caesarean rate is not judgmental; it is information gathering. Rates can vary with the hospital’s patient mix, for example whether it accepts high-risk pregnancies. A more useful open question is, “In which situations do you recommend a caesarean?”, without turning the answer into a verdict.

Choosing a doctor

• Communication style: do they listen and explain calmly?
• Whether they will attend the birth themselves or an on-call team will
• Availability: how can you reach them in an emergency?
• Whether their approach to birth and pain relief fits yours
• Whether they are open to working with a midwife or doula. See the article on midwife and doula support.

Distance and access matter too

The distance from home, ease of reaching the hospital at night and at weekends, and visiting arrangements also shape daily life. Thinking about travel time once labour starts, many people find it helps to look at accessibility as well as facilities.

Practical steps for deciding

1. Write down your priorities (safety, proximity, comfort, partner access).
2. If possible, join a hospital tour or information evening.
3. Compare two or three options with the same questions.
4. Ask your doctor and midwife about what you do not know.
5. Revisiting your choice mid-pregnancy is natural; if a risk appears, the plan may change.

When to contact your doctor

• If you have a high-risk pregnancy diagnosis (blood pressure, diabetes, multiples), discuss the place of birth with your doctor
• If a change of hospital becomes necessary before birth, ask your doctor for a referral
• If you have bleeding, your waters break, the baby moves less or you have severe abdominal pain, go to the nearest health facility without waiting for the choice to be made
• In an emergency call 112 (in Turkey) or your local emergency number

Frequently asked questions

Is a private hospital safer? Safety depends more on the team, the facilities and your situation than on the type of hospital. Asking questions is the best approach.

Can my doctor be absent at the birth? It can happen because of on-call schedules. Talk about this beforehand.

Can I change hospital mid-pregnancy? Often yes; take your file and test results with you.

This article is for information only; your decision depends on your own situation and your doctor’s advice.