How to Find a Good ObGyn in 12 Steps

Choosing an ObGyn is about more than just prenatal care. Interviewing the obstetrician about preventative care practices, Pap smear schedules and other preventative care is a good way to create an initial understanding of the care the doctor will provide.

1. Preventative Care: Choosing an ObGyn is about more than just prenatal care. Interviewing the obstetrician about preventative care practices, Pap smear schedules and other preventative care is a good way to create an initial understanding of the care the doctor will provide.
2. Insurance Coverage: If there is an insurance plan covering the preventative and prenatal care, this could narrow down the choice of ObGyn. Some insurance companies require patients choose doctors within a given list of approved or partnered physicians.
3. Methods of Delivery: There are two options for delivering a baby - C-section and Vaginal. During the ObGyn interview it is important to ask how the doctor chooses one birthing method over the other. While there is no way to predict the path a pregnancy will take, some doctors will have different criteria for choosing a C-section which can be closer to the patient's beliefs.
4. High Risk Pregnancy: Some ObGyn's especially those trained and certified in maternal-fetal medicine have more experience in high risk pregnancies than others. Asking the ObGyn about their previous experience with births can ensure excellent prenatal care in the case a high risk pregnancy occurs.
5. Education / Certification: Choosing an obstetrician that is board certified is essential. The patient should always ask to see the board certification and research a bit before choosing a doctor. Many certified obstetricians will also be a member of the Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. This is the FACOG after their name.
6. Breastfeeding: Not all mothers want to breastfeed, but some ObGyns believe this is the only way to feed a newborn. It is very important to ask about breastfeeding beliefs before choosing an obstetrician.
7. Circumcision: Along the same lines as breastfeeding, some ObGyns have very set beliefs on circumcision. The family has the final say in whether or not the circumcision takes place, but choosing an ObGyn with like beliefs makes the connection easier. When asking about circumcision beliefs, make sure to ask where the circumcision will take place. Some ObGyns perform the circumcision in the hospital while others in the office.
8. Birthing Options: There are many options for birthing baby and the ObGyn tending to your pregnancy or your preventative care before pregnancy needs to allow the mother her choice. If the choice of the mother does not match the ideas of the ObGyn, there could be discord between the patient and the doctor.
9. Hospital Rights: The obstetrician you choose needs to have hospital rights in the hospital you choose for birth. If this is not the case and there is an emergency, the doctor will not be able to attend the birth.
10. Delivery Attendance: Does the ObGyn attend all deliveries even if they are in the middle of the night? Some ObGyns allow the on call doctor to care for the patient until morning.
11. Emergency Calls and Appointments: How available is the ObGyn on weekends and after hours? Not all questions and concerns present themselves during normal business hours and the patient needs to know how they will contact the ObGyn in case a question arises.
12. Hours of Operation: Some doctors maintain multiple offices while others only work out of their office part time. These factors need to be taken into consideration before settling on the best ObGyn for your preventative and prenatal care.