Childbirth is undoubtedly the most astonishing miracle of nature. A mother holding a little life in her hands for the first time after nurturing it for months is one of the most wholesome feelings a woman can experience in her life.
But the transition of a woman into a mother is filled with newfound challenges and responsibilities. Motherhood requires a lot of patience and preparation, and one of the most crucial parts of preparation is looking for a reliable OBGYN.
When you are looking for a new OBGYN, you need to be hyper-aware of your choice and ensure that you don’t miss out on any crucial considerations while choosing them. We’ve created a list to ease your evaluation burdens and make your decision simple.
In This Article
Take your health history into account
If you have any chronic health issues, like heart disease or diabetes, or you have suffered pregnancy complications previously, look for an OBGYN that is competent enough to provide high-risk obstetric care to you.
You can ask your family, friends, or your family doctor to make recommendations. Your family physician, who knows your health history, would be the best person to reach out to for help as they would make an expert and personalized recommendation.
Check the OBGYNs credentials, track record, and specialty
While looking for an OBGYN, do not overlook the importance of board certifications. Find out whether or not the doctor has the necessary skills and training to offer you treatment and care throughout your pregnancy. A great way to put your mind to ease and instill confidence is by checking how many successful deliveries they have already made. The greater the number of tiny butts they’ve spanked into existence, the better.
Also, check their specialization. There are four subspecialties in the OBGYN field: Gynecologic Oncology, Maternal-fetal medicine, Urogynecology/Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. If you have a high-risk pregnancy or any complicated gynecological problem, always consult a suitable specialist.
Do you sync?
At the end of the day, or rather the end of the months, you are going to be entrusting the health of your newborn to your OBGYN, so it goes without saying that you need to feel a level of trust, comfort, and freedom with your doctor.
Once you’ve gained a firm understanding of their background and credentials, you need to do a vibe check. If you feel that the communication is easygoing, natural and calms your mom-worries down, you should shortlist them as one of your top choices.
Get a feel for the location and quality of the hospital
Well equipped and sufficiently staffed hospitals always offer good provisions for the treatment and care of their patients. They have the finest healthcare equipment backed by a well-functioning and competent staff that takes care of their patients like their own. Therefore, you need to check the hospital where your potential OBGYN treats its patients.
Also, as you would be visiting your OBGYN quite often during your entire 9 months pregnancy course, so select a hospital that is at a convenient distance from your home.
Hover over the insurance cover
Your insurance cover is another crucial consideration while selecting an OBGYN. If you have insurance cover, select a doctor who participates in your insurance plan. For instance, if you are a New Yorker and have Medicaid coverage, look for OBGYNs in NY who accept Medicaid to reap the maximum benefit from your plan and minimize expenses from your pocket.
The Bottom Line
Pregnancy is beautiful, but growing bellies comes with growing problems, and a sure shot way to ensure someone’s got your back is by investing your time and energy in finding the right OBGYN. If you keep the above considerations in mind while looking for one, the process is sure to deliver you a less turbulent and much smoother experience.
