Choosing an Ob Gyn

From LoveToKnow Pregnancy

When choosing an Ob-Gyn, there are many factors to consider beyond the doctor’s credentials. An OB-Gyn has completed medical school and a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology. They are trained to care for high risk pregnancies and perform surgery, in addition to taking care of women during a pregnancy and for their baby's birth.

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choosing an Ob-Gyn and Referrals

While a referral from a friend or family member is always nice, it is not always available, especially if you have insurance that requires you to visit an in-network obstetrician. If this is the case, ask for a list of preferred ob-gyns from your insurance company and take it with you the next time you see your primary health care provider. Ask for an opinion of the doctors on the list. Another option is to contact the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) for a list of board certified ob-gyns in your area.

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Location

Pregnant women will visit the obstetrician anywhere from once a month during the first trimester to every few days as they get closer to their due date. Unexpected visits to the doctor’s office in the case of complications are not uncommon. The more high risk the pregnancy, the more visits a woman can expect to make. For this reason, when you are choosing an Ob-Gyn it is important to look at where the doctor is located in correlation to where you work and live.

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Attitude

Not all ob-gyns are created equal. Some have a more pleasant bedside manner than others. Doctors have differing attitudes about such issues as pain relief, circumcision, electronic fetal monitoring, and family participation at birth. If you have strong opinions about how you want your baby to be born, it is important to find a doctor whose practices best match your desires. On your initial visit when choosing an Ob-Gyn, take a list of questions with you. This will help you get the information you need out of the meeting to make a decision. If you leave your appointments anxious or fearful, perhaps you need to find a physician who will be more supportive of your needs.

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Size of the Practice

Many obstetricians operate as a part of a group. The doctors in the group will rotate on-call shifts. This means, the larger the group of doctors in the practice, the greater the chance your doctor will not be on duty the day you deliver. Even if you choose a physician who practices alone, there is a chance you will be faced with a different doctor delivering your baby.

Ob-gyns understand your concern over this issue. It is not uncommon for a group of doctors to recommend you schedule your regular appointments with more than just one doctor within the group, thus familiarizing yourself with the doctor who will ultimately deliver your baby prior to the big day.

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Hospital Privileges

Doctors normally are associated with specific hospitals. Before choosing an ob-gyn, find out what hospital options you have with that doctor, then visit the hospital before making the final decision on a doctor. Most hospitals will schedule an official tour of the maternity ward with expectant parents. While at the hospital, make sure to check for such things as delivery options, bathtubs or showers, private rooms, accomodations for your partner to stay in your room, visitor policies and visiting hours. Find out whether they allow rooming in, or require your baby to be in the nursery.

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Changing Ob-Gyns

No matter how many questions you may ask, it is possible you will end up choosing a different ob-gyn prior at some point during your pregnancy. The chemistry between you and your existing obstetrician may be wrong, you may change insurance plans to one that will not cover your current physician, or you may move out of the area. When this happens, it is important to have your medical records transferred to your new doctor. This will help your new ob-gyn best monitor your condition and offer the most appropriate medical advice.

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Other Options for Pregnancy Care

There are other options for pregnancy and birth care. Family practice physicians sometimes provide prenatal care and birthing services. There are three main types of midwives who provide pregnancy and birthing care. Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) provide pregnancy and birth care and assist births in hospitals, home and/or birth centers. Sometimes they work with OB-Gyns and sometimes they practice independently. Midwives and CPMs (Certified Professional Midwives) attend births at home or in birth centers and provide prenatal care. They usually work independently as community midwives. Some states license midwives to provide care for Medicaid recipients or to accept insurance payments. Licensure and certification requirements vary by state but midwives can legally practice in most regions of the US.

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