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Obstetrics

Choosing an obstetrician is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.

Start with recommendations.  Ask your family doctor, friends, and co-workers for recommendations.  Check with the hospital where you’d like to deliver to see who’s on staff there. Make sure you have insurance coverage for the doctor you would like to choose.  Also, you might want to consider a midwife in addition to or instead of an obstetrician.  For a physician referral, visit the Atlantic Health Physician Referral Service.  Finally, if you still need help, contact the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

You’ll also want to think about where you’d like to give birth, and what kind of equipment, such as a birthing tub, you would like to use.  Be sure your doctor is affiliated with a hospital that can accommodate your birth plan.  Also consider whether you want to use medication or some other form of pain management.

Be sure to interview more than one obstetrician.  Make a list of questions and go through it with each doctor. 

Consider:

• How long does the office set-aside for each pre-natal visit?
• How long is the average wait time in the office?
• Are there other doctors in the practice? How many?
• Will you meet the other doctors?
• Who will provide backup if the obstetrician is unable to attend the birth?
• Can you reach the obstetrician or the office at any time day or night?
• How are routine phone calls between visits handled?
• How are fees and payment handled?
• Is the doctor's office convenient to your home and/or work?
• Is the doctor in your medical insurance plan, if you have one?