If you have recently discovered that you are expecting a baby, this is a very exciting and important time in your life. It can also be a bit overwhelming. Many decisions need to be made including choosing the right Obstetrician to care for you during your pregnancy and the delivery of your child. If you are already seeing a Gynecologist who also practices Obstetrics, your decision may be as easy as asking this same physician to care for you during your pregnancy. If not, there are several important things to consider when choosing an Obstetrician.
If you are looking for an Obstetrician to care for you during your pregnancy, it is a good idea to ask for a recommendation from another healthcare provider such as your Internal Medicine or Family Practice physician. It is also a good idea to solicit referrals from friends or relatives who have recently had a baby. You can also contact the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Washington, D.C. to get a list of the board-certified Obstetricians in your area. If it is a requirement for your insurance coverage, you will want to make sure that the Obstetrician you are considering is in your network of providers. Also, if you desire to give birth at a specific hospital, you will need to find an Obstetrician who delivers at that particular facility.
Other factors to consider when choosing an Obstetrician include your health history, your desired birthing plan and your compatibility with the doctor. If you have a chronic illness such as diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. it is important to find out what type of experience this physician has had treating patients like you. If you desire a specific type of birthing plan such as natural childbirth or vaginal birth after Cesarean (VBAC), it is important to find out whether or not this Obstetrician supports that particular type of delivery. Lastly, it is important that you feel comfortable with this physician and are able to communicate easily with him or her. You need a doctor that you are compatible with and with whom you trust to care for you and your unborn child during this very special time in your life.