How to Choose Your Medical Provider for Pregnancy
Are you just getting started on seeking a doctor or midwife or thinking about needing to change your current provider? We’d love to share some of our helpful tips that we suggest to our clients.
First, a quick reminder of the types of providers that assist in pregnancy, labor and postpartum:
An Obstetrician (OB-GYN) is a doctor that specializes in pregnancy, labor and delivery, postpartum and other pregnancy, and fertility-related needs and concerns.
A Midwife is someone who is trained, experienced and credentialed that specializes in pregnancy, labor and delivery and postpartum. Their focus is on mother’s and babies from pregnancy to the immediate postpartum. Midwives can also see adults for their general well-visits as well.
Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) doctor is a specialist who diagnoses and treats complications or needs in pregnancy and babies.
Selecting a provider should come naturally, right? At least, that’s what we are told! You can check your insurance website and find a few to talk to that sound the best or are closest to where you live. What happens when their philosophies and patient focus doesn’t align with yours?
First, yes, your insurance can play a large factor into who you are able to see for your prenatal care. So it is wise to start there. We encourage our clients to explore both OB-GYN practices as well as practices that have Midwives. Often times, practices have both types of care providers and allow patients to choose who they would like to see for their on-going prenatal care.
Second, poll your friends, co-workers and “growing family” groups on social media. There can be a wealth of information for finding the right care provider for you. Many people share their success (and trials) about care providers and hospitals on these forums, that can be helpful information.
Third, and a very important one- know WHERE (which hospitals) your provider has privileges to practice. Just because a care provider aligns with your focus and plans, the hospital they practice at may have different views. Check the hospital’s c-section rates and know why they are what they are. Check your providers rates as well. This will give you helpful information on how they practice with laboring families and if their philosophies to align with yours.
Lastly, we’ve provided a list of questions here that might be helpful when you are choosing your provider:
What are your/the practices stance on induction for low risk patients?
What is your general philosophy on pregnancy, birth and postpartum?
What is your C-section rate?
(If applicable) how does your practice handle patient care for women of “Advanced maternal age” (over the age of 35)?
(If applicable) what support can I expect for me to achieve my VBAC?
Are cervical checks required at the last few weeks of my pregnancy?
What can I expect for my postpartum follow up care? (Practices differ on how many visits but most only offer a 6 week check in
How many providers are in this practice or who else do you share on-call hours with?
We hope this list helps you as you look for the best provider for you. If you find yourself questioning how a current provider is working for you, don’t be afraid to look to change providers. Often practices can accept new patients all the way up until your third trimester.