During a prenatal consultation, your client says, "My doctor has said he will use episiotomy at his discretion, but I don't want him to cut me." Your BEST response is:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Asking an open-ended question to elicit more information from the speaker in addition to labeling the emotion "heard" is the core of active listening. This allows the speaker to clarify and problem-solve. Only a physician can decide if episiotomy is necessary, but the client should open dialogue about her fears at a prenatal appointment. Discussing the pros and cons of a procedure with a client is part of a doula's scope of practice, but should be done after identifying the underlying emotions behind a statement. Advising compliance does not help in finding a solution that meets the client's needs as an individual, nor does it recognize her feelings.

During a Prenatal Consultation, Your Client Says, "My Doctor Has