April 8, 2021

There are a lot of big decisions to make when you find out you are pregnant. None may be as significant as choosing who you want to oversee your pregnancy care. After all, you will be spending a lot of time with your OB-GYN – like 40 weeks! You’ll want a doctor that will be your champion. One who will listen, communicate, educate, empower, and level with you all at the same time. It may sound like a tall order, but there are plenty of OB-GYNs out there. Here are some tips to help you find the best OB-GYN for you.

Start with Your Insurance Provider

The cost of having a baby is an obvious consideration for most expecting parents. There are prenatal visits, the delivery, and postpartum visits to think about. Not to mention any tests or procedures that may be necessary. So that you are not surprised by unexpected medical bills, create a list of potential providers who are in your insurance network. And check with your insurance company to see what out-of-pocket expenses you can expect during pregnancy, delivery, and the postnatal period.

Get Recommendations from Other Moms

Once you have the answers you need from your insurance provider, and have narrowed the list of in-network doctors, reach out to family and friends for their recommendations. Keep in mind that choosing an OB-GYN is a very personal decision, and someone else’s choice may not be the right fit for you.

Assess Your Needs

Choosing an OB-GYN is a decision that ultimately depends on your specific needs – prenatal, during delivery, and post-delivery. Do you want a natural birth, or do you want an epidermal? Do you have underlying health conditions or a chronic illness that may require a specialist?

Look for a Partner

From the right vitamins to the right treatments to the right medical options, you want an OB-GYN who makes healthcare decisions with you, not for you. When you have a reciprocal relationship with your doctor, you’ll be able to talk openly and honestly about your health and your pregnancy care and never have to worry about having your questions answered.

Meet Your List of Potential OB-GYNs

Now that you have an idea of what you want in an OB-GYN, and a list of prospective doctors, make an appointment with each. Think of these meet-and-greets as a job interview. To narrow the field, be prepared to go in with a list of questions, such as:

• How much experience do you have?
• How many babies have you delivered?
• What hospital are you associated with?
• Will I see you every time I come in for an office visit?
• Who will deliver my baby, you or another physician on-call?
• How much time do you allow for each office visit?
• Are you available to answer questions outside of office visits?
• What is the likelihood I will need a cesarean section?
• How many C-sections have you performed?
• What are your thoughts on pain management during delivery?

Trust Your Instincts

At the end of the day, when it comes to choosing an OB-GYN to deliver your baby, listen to your own intuition. Which doctors answered your questions to your expectations during your meet-and-greets? Which ones made you feel relaxed? Did any of them make you feel rushed during a visit? Did they listen to you? Did they interrupt you? How did their personality fit with yours? These are just some of the questions to ask yourself after each interview. Trust your instincts, and you will make the right decision.

 

Prenate® Vitamin Family
This post is brought to you by the Prenate® Vitamin Family, a line of prescription prenatal supplements designed to enhance preconception, prenatal, and postpartum nutrition in women. Talk with your doctor about how taking a daily prescription prenatal or postnatal vitamin could help support a healthy pregnancy and postpartum wellness.