A group of experts in birthing care came up with a list of ten things to look for and ask about. Medical research supports all of these things. The questions on the list below are the best way to be "mother-friendly".

Here's what parents should expect, and ask for, in their birth experience. They should be sure to find out how the people they talk with handle these ten issues about mother and baby care.

1. Ask
"Who can be with me during labour and birth?"

2. Ask
"What happens during a normal labour and birth in your setting?"

3. Ask
"How do you allow for differences in culture and beliefs?"

4. Ask
"Can I walk and move around during labour? What position do you suggest for birth?"

5. Ask
"How do you make sure everything goes smoothly when my nurse, doctor, midwife, or agency need to work with each other? "Can my doctor or midwife come with me if I have to be moved to another place during labour? Can you help me find people or agencies in my community who can help me before and after the baby is born?"

6. Ask
"What things do you normally do to a woman in labour?"

7. Ask
"How do you help mothers stay as comfortable as they can be? Besides drugs, how do you help mothers relieve the pain of labour?"

8. Ask
"What if my baby is born early or has special problems?"

9. Ask
"Do you circumcise baby boys?"

10. Ask
"How do you help mothers who want to breast feed?"