Choosing an obstetrician is the fist step in good prenatal care. For many of you, you are already going to an Ob/Gyn practice that you trust will accommodate you and your needs during your pregnancy. For some of you, you may wish to change providers. And, for some of you, you might need a new provider all together.
The good news is that choosing an obstetrician is not nearly as difficult as choosing your partner. But before you choose an obstetritician, there are a few questions you should ask yourself:
What kind of practice do you want?
Do you want a practice with a lot of providers or just a few? If you choose a practice with a lot of providers, know that you may not be able to choose who delivers your baby. Practices with many providers usually like their pregnant patients to meet all the providers. Conversely, if you shoose a prctice with few providres, you may get to know each physcian better because you aren’t seeing as many as you would in a larger practice.
What kind of qualities do you want your doctor to have?
Do you like a straight-forward type of relationship, or do you prefer someone who has more of a conversational style? Some patients prefer a doctor who will “tell it like it is” while others prefer someone who will relay the information in an easy and informal manor. There is no wrong or right here, each person has different preferences.
What kind of patient are you?
With what hospital is your physician affiliated?
This is particularly important if you want to deliver at a specific hospital. Some patients choose the facility over the physician. If you choose the facility first, you might be able to ask for recommendations. This is often the case for women who are new to the area in which they live.
Who do you want to deliver your baby? A midwife? Doctor? Do you want your doctor to be a DO or a MD? Do you want a doula in the room?
A midwife is a person who provides care to women during normal pregnancies. They need to call on obstetricians or other physicians if complications develop. Midwifery is a professionally regulated field.
Both MDs and DOs go through the same training, rotations and fellowships. The differences lie in their approaches to medicine. MDs traditionally practice with medicine, while DOs may include alternative therapies, treatments and approaches to medical care.
A doula is a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period. A birth doula certified by DONA International is designated by the initials CD(DONA).
What type of delivery do you want?
If you definitely want a water birth, for example, find a provider who will accommodate your requests. Know what your limitations (if any) will be by the provider or facility where you deliver.
Does the doctor have recommendations?
Find other women who go to the practice, and ask if they would recommend the practice. Ask your friends, family members or co-workers.
Choosing an obstetrician is not a difficult task if you know what you want from your pregnnancy and delivery experience. Also, it’s perfectly fine to switch physicians during your pregnancy if something should arise with the practice or your provider.
You are the best judge in choosing what’s best for you. Don’t hesitate to be an advocate for the kind of care you want and deserve during this special time in your life.
Dr. Richichi BIO
Dr. Joann Richichi is a board-certified OB/GYN practicing in Southern New Jersey. She received her undergraduate degree at Wagner College in New York, and graduated from the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific in California in 1984. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Kennedy Memorial Hospital in New Jersey, where she served as Chief Resident.
Dr. Richichi is a licensed bioidentical hormone replacement therapy provider in South Jersey. She’s authored several articles in Obstetrics and Gynecology Literature and published a book called Nine Months To Go, What You Need To Know, a comprehensive and light hearted countdown from preconception through postpartum.
Dr. Richichi blogs about women’s health, and you can follow her on Twitter for women’s health conversation, and articles about women’s health.
