Carrying a pregnancy to term allows you to embrace your baby’s life while welcoming, protecting, and loving your baby for as much time as you are able to spend together.
Below you will find a list of questions designed to help you gather information. If you would like to have them with you for your next appointment, you can also download them here.
About the DIagnosis
- Is there a reason the diagnosis occurred?
- Is the diagnosis genetic or hereditary?
- How certain is the diagnosis?
- What are my options for additional testing?
- How do I seek another opinion?
- Where can I research the prognosis further? Any specific sources?
- Is it possible the diagnosis may cause preterm birth?
- How brief is my baby’s life expected to be based on the diagnosis?
- Can you explain what my baby may look like based on his or her diagnosis?
- Although it’s rare, can the problem be fixed while the baby is still in utero?
- Can we schedule additional ultrasounds so I can see my baby throughout my pregnancy?
About Delivery & Birth
- What are my pain relief options for labor and birth? What are the effects of asking for more pain relief versus choosing to birth as naturally as possible?
- What are my options for a fetal evaluation, autopsy, and genetic studies following delivery? Do these options change depending on a live birth versus a stillbirth?
- How soon after birth should an evaluation or study take place?
- If my baby is showing signs of suffering after birth, what are my options for pain relief and how is it provided?
- If the baby’s natural death occurs during pregnancy or soon after birth, what are my options?
- Will my delivery experience change in a live versus a stillborn delivery?
- If my baby is likely to die during a vaginal birth, do I have the option of a scheduled cesarean birth?
- What are my rights and options should my baby live and need medical care?
- Will I have the option to bring my baby home after birth?
- If I prefer not to have medical intervention, what are my options for comfort care?
About Your Baby’s Death
- How will I know when my baby is dying? What are the signs?
- Is there anything I can do to ensure a peaceful death?
- What happens with my baby’s body once he or she dies?
- What are my rights and options in caring for my baby’s body?
- What are my options for making keepsake memories?
- What are my options for organ donation?
About Your Health
- Are there any possible risks to me as the mother?
- Is there prenatal care tailored to my specific needs?
- Is there a local parent support group for other mothers with this same diagnosis?
- Who can I talk to if I’m anticipating grief throughout my pregnancy?
- Where can I find information on bereavement support groups?
- What are my options are for my own aftercare support?
- Thinking about subsequent pregnancies, how soon after delivery can I get pregnant again?