Being at the Center of Your Care Team During Your Birth

Team Birth is a Team Sport

Birth is a team sport where you are the captain. You will be supported by your team of providers, nurses, and support people, at the center of the team — it is your body and your birth.

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Click to watch and learn more about TeamBirth at The University of Tennessee Medical Center

What is a TeamBirth check-in?

TeamBirth check-ins are times when you and your care team will come together either in person or over the phone to give all team members the opportunity to talk at key points in your care. tm5

Who: Check-ins include you, your provider, your nurse, and your support person(s)
What: You and your care team will talk about your preferences, your care plans, and when you and your care team will check-in next
When: Check-ins will happen at admission, for decisions or changes in the plan of care, or when any team member asks for one.

What role do all the team members have in check-ins?

Your plan of care will change as your labor goes on. Think about how your team can help you by sharing information or giving you support to feel good about the changes and decisions.

You know your body and your preferences. You have the most important voice in the room. You can choose the role you want in decision-making, but no matter your role, you should always share what you know about your body and how you are feeling with your team.
Your nurse knows how to support you and your labor. They will be by your side through most of your labor so they can suggest what could be most helpful for you based on your care so far.
Your provider knows about the pros and cons of different choices. Most of the time, the provider will guide the team to make a decision together, but there will be times where your provider may need to make quick decisions for you or your baby’s safety.
Your support person(s) can provide physical, emotional, and mental support, as well as help advocate for you during labor. Discuss with your support person(s) how you want them to help you. Your support person(s) can be your partner, a friend, a family member, or a doula.

How can you be at the center of your care team during your birth?

Bring Your Care Team Together

Ask your team to have a check-in at any time to bring your care team together. If you do not feel like you can speak up for any reason, ask your support person or the team member you trust the most to help speak up for you.

If you want to bring your care team together for any reason: I would like to talk about this with the full team. When can we get together for a check-in to talk more?

Trust Yourself

Trust yourself and share what you know about your body with your team. How is your labor going? How much energy do you have? What feels good for your body? What doesn’t?

If you need your team to hear what you know about your body or share more of what they know with you: I know you see this every day, but this feels different (or frightening) for me. Can you help me understand why I am feeling this way and if there is anything we should worry about?

Share your values and preferences

What matters to you in your labor? Who do you want supporting you? What will make you feel comfortable right now?

If your preferences have changed: I feel different now and have different preferences for my labor. What options do we have to change the care plan to match what I want now?
If your care plan does not match with your preferences: This is important to me. Can you help me understand why this may not be possible right now?

Ask questions to make sure you understand your care

You have the right to know all your options for care. How are you and your baby doing? What choices do you have for your care? What are the pros and cons for each one?

If you need to be more clear about your care plan or choices: I would like more information about my choices. What are the pros and cons of this plan? What are the other choices we could consider? What would happen if we do nothing instead?
If you want to ask for more time to labor: I am still feeling good, and I would like to keep laboring if possible. Can you help me understand the reason why you are recommending delivery? Are there any options we could consider to give me more time?
If you want to know more about what to expect next in your labor: How are my baby and I doing right now? What can I expect next? When should I be concerned?