Choosing an Obstetrician

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Choosing an Obstetrician
Who knew having a baby would involve so much organization? Sure, getting pregnant takes planning. Taking care of baby once he's arrived takes planning. But, what sort of planning is necessary for living out the daily reality of your pregnancy, other than scheduling and keeping appointments with your obstetrician?

There are so many choices which come with being pregnant. Names, wallpaper, strollers. But that's all planning for baby, this planning is about you and how you go about taking care of yourself and baby right up until the moment she arrives. The business end of pregnancy is about how, where, and with whom you will work to deliver your miracle safely and as comfortably as possible.

Choosing an obstetrician
Many women assume that there's no choice involved. You've got a gynecologist, so that's who will deliver your child. Well, maybe. Assuming your doctor delivers babies in a hospital you're comfortable with. Assuming he or she delivers babies. Some gynecologists don't. Assuming he or she accepts your insurance. Many women will pay out of pocket for a doctor who does not participate in a particular health plan because they are attached. For a once a year visit, it's an expense they're willing to cover on their own. But for a pregnancy and delivery? We're talking thousands of dollars.

If you're one of those women, it's time to choose a participating provider. Then there are the women whose obstetrician takes an annual trip right around the due date. If your doctor makes an annual month long pilgrimage to Africa to do missionary work, your baby will not cause her to changer her plans. Why work with a doctor for eight months, just to switch for the final weeks and delivery? You see, just because you have an OB doesn't mean your choice is automatically made.

Consider this a job interview. You are, after all, looking to fill a key role in your prenatal and delivery care. Choose well. Here's how:

1. Interview yourself In order to choose the best doctor for you, you need to understand your wants and needs. Before calling practices with questions, you need to question yourself.

Questions to ask yourself:

Am I equally comfortable with male and female doctors?

Do I trust the opinion of the person who recommended this doctor?

What hospital would be my ideal place to deliver?

What am I looking for in a doctor?

What do I expect my labor and delivery experience to be like? Who will be present? Do I expect medication? Do I want the freedom to move around?

Do you want a sole practitioner or a doctor from a large practice? A sole practitioner gives you consistency, but may not be available when you deliver, putting you in the hands of someone with whom you are unfamiliar. A large practice is less personal, but you will see most of the doctors at least once so that if your preferred doctor is unavailable for your delivery, you are working with a doctor you've already met (one whom has the trust of your chosen doctor).

2. Interview friends, relatives, and medical professionals for referrals Talk to friends and family members, neighbors, women at the gym, your hairdresser, your gynecologist, your dentist, anyone who's opinion you trust. Find out which doctors they liked, which they didn't, and why.

3. Interview doctors Be prepared to pay for the visit. Medical insurance does not usually cover these interview appointments.

Prepare a list of questions in advance so you can get the most out of your interviews. These questions might include some of the following.

Are you affiliated with the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology? Are you board certified?

How many years have you been in practice?

What insurance programs do you accept?

What hospital do you work with?

Do you offer night or weekend appointments?

Are there nurse practitioners, midwives, or physicians assistants in the practice? What roles do they play in patient care?

Do you have vacation scheduled which coincides with my due date?

Are references available?

How many babies have you delivered? What percentage was vaginal? Cesarean? Induced?

What is your position on pain control? What percentage of your patients receive pain medication?

Do you support the use of doulas?

Do you support a particular birthing method? (Lamaze, Bradley...)

Does the practice provide breastfeeding support?

Who do you depend on for backup in case you are unavailable for labor and delivery or an emergency?

What testing do routinely recommend for patients?

Do you support the use of birth plans?

How are between visit questions and concerns handled?

4. Check references Call references and check them out. You want to be sure that your doctor is the right choice for you, from bedside manner to cesarean rates. You'll be glad you did.