Choosing who will care for you and your baby during your pregnancy is one of the biggest decisions you will make so it’s important to make sure that it’s a well thought out and researched one. Many moms are unsure of how to go about finding an OB/GYN that’s right for them and will suit the type of pregnancy and birth they want to have. Here are just a few of the questions moms to be should ask themselves before deciding.
- Will he or she fit well with your birthing plans? If you’re the type of mom who wants to go the all-natural route and the doctor seems to rely heavily on drugs or hospital interventions then you may not be a good fit. It’s important to find a doctor that will be able to work with what you want as a parent while keeping you and your baby safe and healthy.
- Do you have a good personal rapport? Your OB is going to be witness to one of the most personal and profound moments of your life, so you really want to make sure that he or she is someone that you like and are comfortable talking to. It may not seem like a huge deal but developing a good relationship with your OB can make the process of pregnancy and birth a whole lot more comfortable and pleasant.
- Do you feel comfortable asking questions? Especially for first time moms this is a big deal. There will be many things you are unsure about and want to know more about and it’s important to find a doctor who can help to answer your questions and address your concerns.
- Is there anyone you know you can ask for advice? Sometimes asking friends and family members for recommendations can be the best way to narrow down your list of potential candidates as well as get an idea of the kinds of doctors that will be available in your area.
- Is he or she forthcoming with information? When choosing a doctor you’ll want to know about things like their rate of C-sections and other medical procedures to give you an idea of what kind of treatment you’ll receive. Doctors who are unwilling to share this kind of information with you may not be your first choice, as you’ll want someone who will be open and honest about their practice.
- Is he or she covered by your insurance? While this will likely not be your first concern, it can make a big difference for families who already have their budgets stretched thin by expecting a new arrival. You will need to consider whether or not you want to go with the doctor you want, or the doctor who is covered by your plan if you are on an HMO or other limited coverage.
This post was contributed by Hannah Watson, who writes about the online nursing program. She welcomes your feedback at HannahWatson84@ yahoo.com
These are all great things for women to consider as they are looking for an OB/Gyn. I would be very careful about #4 however. Before following through with recommendations it would be crucial to understand what the expectations of the friend/family member giving the advice are/were. Make sure your expcetations are similar before you sign up for the OB your neighbor, or mom, or friend of a friend used.
The first birth I ever saw in nursing school was horrendous!! In fact, I’m a little surprized I wanted to pursue this as my life’s work! Anyway, the baby who was born that day was the THIRD generation born into this particular physician’s hands. The family thought it was so special and wonderful. But what I saw from my end of the room was anything but! It was many years ago and I have never written about it, but if my membory serves me correctly this mom had not been pushing long when the OB cut a 4th degree episiotomy. He was known by the hospital staff to practice this way, but the patient’s were none the wiser. And they loved him and thanked him profusely for his wonderful care.
I do not mean to tell horor stories here, and I have since seen many many many beautiful inspiring empowering births. But be careful about picking an OB because your mom loved him/her. Do your own research, find out the real story, and most importantly find out what a good birth means to you and find an OB who gets it!
Althea,
Thank you. You make a wonderful point. Find out what kind of care they got. What did they love about it? Do you want the same sort of birth as they had?
I always suggest to moms wanting NCB to ask local Doulas for recommendations. They see what is going on and where and with whom is the ideal place for NCB.
Thanks!