What is your general philosophy on prenatal care and the labor/birth process? 

You want to get a feel for how involved and hands-on your doctor will be. Will s/he be the one to care for you at every appointment or will an assistant do some of the medical procedures? How many times will you see him/her throughout your pregnancy? How medicalized is his/her process? Does s/he have a more natural approach? What are your preferences here?

What is your approach to postpartum care?

What type of care should you expect to receive post birth? Is it the typical 6-week appointment, or will there be more care? As a heads up, most doctors really do just offer one postpartum appointment, but it's important to think through what you're looking for. If it's more than that, see if the doctor is open to seeing you more than that.

What is your C-section rate?

This is an important one, not only to understand how frequent C-sections are but also to hear how your doctor explains this. Does s/he seem defensive or offended by the question? Does s/he speak in a cavalier way about C-sections, or does s/he understand that this might be something women like to avoid? How does s/he approach this conversation and how does that vibe with your feelings around C-section vs. vaginal birth? 

What percentage of your patient births do you attend? What is your coverage plan if you are unavailable?

This is another really important one. Some doctors take days off each week and have a scheduled coverage plan, especially if they are part of a larger practice of several doctors. Think about whether or not you're OK with this. Other doctors make it a point of attending all births and will only have coverage if they are sick or physically out of town. Again, listen to the answer but also how the doctor speaks about this.  

How would I get in touch with you when questions come up?

Being pregnant for the first time comes with a host of new feelings, experiences and anxieties. You will have a ton of questions - all the time. You want to feel you can get in touch with your doctor whenever you need to, and that you'll get your burning questions answered in a timely manner. Some doctors will give you their cell to text them, others will make you call through the office. Think about what you want and need as a patient. If you have to go through the office, make sure you understand (and feel good about) the protocol outside business hours. This is important.

How do you feel about working with birth coaches or doulas in the delivery room?

If you plan to have someone other than your partner professionally coaching you through the birth, it's important to confirm your doctor is open to, and supportive of, this. There's nothing worse than tension in the delivery room. If you plan to have a doula, make sure your doctor has a positive reaction to working with a doula. 

What are your thoughts on medicated vs. unmedicated labor and birth?

Again, if you have strong preferences here, make sure the doctor is OK with, and supportive of, these. You'll want someone who has an open mind and doesn't judge your feelings about medication. 

Are there ways we can reduce trauma to the body (e.g. tearing for vaginal birth, scarring for C-section, etc.)

With this question, you want to make sure you can feel that the doctor cares about your post-birth body and recovery. It's not only about getting the baby out safely, it's also about making sure you are cared for in that process. Doctors can do several things to prevent tearing, for example, and you want to make sure your doctor is thinking about that aspect of the birth, too. (FYI, episiotomies are no longer standard practice. If the doctor says that's his/her standard approach, run!)