How To Choose An Ob Gyn When Pregnant

Can You Be Completely Honest With Them

Choosing Your Pregnancy Doctor

Other than their experience, this may be the most important factor to consider. You must establish a relationship with your Upper East Side OB-GYN where you can be completely honest with them.

Your doctor not only treats the most intimate areas of your body but is also privy to intimate details. They must someone you would feel comfortable asking for an STD test if needed.

If you cannot be truthful in sharing concerns then this is not the right doctor.

You should also consider their gender. Do you want a female gynecologist? Not all women do, but it is worth thinking about and choosing someone you can openly communicate with.

Another thought to keep in mind is if you need, or would prefer, a Spanish speaking OB-GYN. Having a doctor who speaks your native language will help in communication and trust levels.

How Do You Know If Youre Pregnant

If youve taken one or more home pregnancy tests and gotten positive results, you can probably be sure youre pregnant. But are there signs to look out for before you even decide to take a test? According to the Mayo Clinic, some common and not so common symptoms could indicate youre going to have a baby.

If you think youre pregnant, here are some of the signs to look out for.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Using An Obstetrician

Approximately 60-80% of women experience a low-risk pregnancy. Using an obstetrician may be a disadvantage if you desire a more natural, hands-off approach to pregnancy and childbirth. Obstetricians are trained to manage complications using many medical interventions.Some possible disadvantages to using an OB/GYN include:

Compiled using information from the following sources:

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Will I Have Prenatal Screenings Or Prenatal Diagnosis Tests Done

Prenatal screenings and diagnostic tests are tests your doctor performs while you are pregnant. They are done to check for any health problems with the baby before it is born. Problems could include birth defects, genetic disorders such as Down syndrome, or diseases such as cystic fibrosis. Screenings are usually done early in the pregnancy with blood tests or ultrasound. They detect risks for or signs of a possible health problem. Diagnostic tests can confirm or rule out specific health problems in you or your baby. Most genetic testing is now done through free fetal DNA . For this test, the mothers blood is taken and the small amounts of fetal DNA found in it are amplified. Then, that genetic material is analyzed to test for fetal genetic disorders. If this test reveals a disorder, your doctor may then want to confirm the diagnosis by doing an amniocentesis. For this test, your doctor will collect a sample of your amniotic fluid.

Screenings and diagnostic tests can be helpful to let you know if your baby might have problems when it is born. But sometimes they can cause added worry or concern. In many cases, prenatal screening is a choice. For example, if your doctor suggests your baby be screened for Down syndrome during your pregnancy, that is a choice. Some screening tests can increase your chance of miscarriage or other problems. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of the tests.

Dont Forget About Location

How to Choose an OB

Location might seem unimportant in comparison to other factors on this list. After all, a longer drive can be worth seeing an excellent gynecologist.

However, its still worth it to consider how far youre driving to your appointments, whether youre leaving from your office or house.

If youre planning on getting pregnant, location should definitely be at the top of your mind. You might not mind a long drive from the ob-gyn to the hospital now, but what about when youre about to give birth? Youll also have to visit the ob-gyn often for prenatal checkups, so those drives can get tedious as well.

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Find A Norton Healthcare Ob/gyn Or Midwife

Norton Healthcare OB/GYNs deliver more babies in Louisville and Southern Indiana than any other provider. Our expertise and personalized care are just two reasons so many parents choose to deliver at Norton Healthcare hospitals.

Norton Healthcares midwifery practice provides comprehensive, family-centered maternity care from the first prenatal visit through labor and delivery, and after the birth of your baby.

How To Choose The Best Ob

Choosing the right OB-GYN is incredibly important in ensuring you feel supported and happy throughout your pregnancy journey. This is the person you will go to with questions and worries and you want to be sure they will put you at ease whatever your query. Without the right support system in place, you could risk giving yourself extra unnecessary stress as you progress through your pregnancy.

Here at OvuSense, we want to help you have the best pregnancy journey possible. In this blog post we want to answer all your questions about how to choose the best OB-GYN for you, so read on to find out more.

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Factor In Any Pregnancies

Are you and your partner planning on having children in the future? Or are you already pregnant and need prenatal and postnatal care?

Either way, you might want to consider going with an obstetrician-gynecologist instead of just a gynecologist. That way, you can be under the care of one doctor instead of several when you get pregnant.

Youll have consistent and convenient guidance as you go through the stages of pregnancy and eventually, birth. The ob-gyn can also help with any health issues you might have after you give birth.

Check Your Insurance Coverage

WHAT TO ASK AN OB/GYN | HOW TO CHOOSE AN OB/GYN | QUESTION TO ASK YOUR OBGYN | CHOOSING AN OB/GYN

For most families, choosing an OBGYN starts with what the insurance will cover. Giving birth can be expensive. Vaginal births in the U.S. cost upwards of $18,000, and the average price tag on C-sections is over $27,000, reports a 2013 study from Truven Analytics.

Be prepared to talk with your health insurance company regularly. Ask what each OBGYN visit will entail and what could be needed during your labor and delivery, like epidural anesthesia, additional ultrasounds, elective c-sections and midwife support. Then make sure all of those services are covered first. Otherwise, youll risk being surprised with a bill.

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Do I Want My Baby Boy To Be Circumcised

During a circumcision, the foreskin is removed. It is usually done 1 to 2 days after birth. Deciding whether to have your newborn son circumcised may be difficult. You will need to consider the benefits and the risks of circumcision. Factors such as your culture, religion, and personal preference may also affect your decision. It is a good idea to decide before your son is born whether you want him to be circumcised. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that parents talk to their family doctor about the potential benefits and risks when making their decision. The American Academy of Pediatrics says the health benefits of circumcision outweigh the risks, but not enough to recommend the procedure in all male newborns.

How To Choose An Obstetrician

1. Know what you want

If you decide you want to have an obstetrician, or your GP has recommended you see one, finding the right obstetrician is similar to finding any service provider. You need to discover if they are able to give you the appropriate help and care that you may need, and in the manner, you want if possible.Some initial factors to consider are will the obstetrician be available to you for all your antenatal appointments and for the birth? They may be in a group share arrangement and it’s important to know how frequently they handover and who they handover to, says Melbourne based obstetrician, gynaecologist and fertility specialist, Dr Joseph Sgroi.

2. Shop around and get advice

Initially, its important that you research different obstetricians, to ensure you find the right fit for you. You could ask for recommendations. Friends or family may offer you their personal recommendations from their own experiences and your GP may recommend someone based on your medical history, says Dr Sgroi.Following her doctors advice was precisely how Bupa member and employee, Suzy West, found her obstetrician. My GP at the time recommended her. I am not an overthinker and generally take advice from people who are professionals in their field, she says.

3. Make sure youre comfortable with them

4.Speak your mind

5. Ask questions

6. Understand your costs upfront

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Do You Offer Maternity Classes

From labor techniques to newborn care, maternity classes help you feel a little more prepared to meet your baby. If your hospital offers maternity classes, its also a fantastic chance to learn more about where youll be delivering.

Atrium Health Women’s Care offers classes in everything from childbirth to breastfeeding to infant safety. And theyre not just for you maternity classes can also be a fun, hands-on way to get your partner and family involved in the journey.

Make Sure You Feel Comfortable With Them

Drinks to avoid when you

Your obstetrician is going to perform your gynecological exam and ask very personal questions related to your reproductive health. Its essential that you feel as comfortable with them as possible so you can discuss anything, which will enable them to provide the best health care possible. This can be a subjective process, but its crucial to find someone youre completely comfortable with.

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Choosing An Ob/gyn Doctor For Your Pregnancy

Our ob-gyn doctors can provide care from pregnancy planning through the birth of your baby and beyond. We know that every birth is unique and every baby is a special gift. We are honored to be your trusted provider during this exciting time.

To make an appointment, please speak with a scheduling specialist at .

Will I Bank My Newborns Cord Blood

One choice that can be confusing in pregnancy is whether you should save your babys umbilical cord blood. Researchers have found that the blood in your babys umbilical cord is rich in blood-forming cells. These can be used as treatment for people with life-threatening illnesses such as leukemia, lymphoma, or some inherited metabolic or immune system disorders. So instead of throwing that cord blood away, parents can choose to:

  • Donate it to a public cord blood bank. This option can help someone you dont know. Your babys cord blood will be stored and listed on a public donation registry. It doesnt cost anything and can help save lives.
  • Save it for a family member who needs it. This is for people who have family members with a disease that may be treated with a cord blood transplant. It is called directed donation. It is usually offered at little to no cost to eligible families.
  • Store it in a private bank. This option is like an insurance policy. If your child or any other family member gets sick and needs those cells, you have them stored and available. There are collection and yearly storage fees involved.

Talk with your doctor early on in your pregnancy about saving your babys cord blood. There are some steps youll need to go through ahead of time if you choose to do it.

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Start With The Basics

Unfortunately, given medical costs and health insurance policies, you likely cant just go anywhere, says Neel Shah, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Harvard Medical School. Your insurance carrier dictates the doctors it will cover and therefore the maternity hospitals that are available to you. Other factors, such as where you live and your particular health situation, may narrow your choices too. From a practical standpoint, find out about:

Travel distance from your home. In general, the distance between your home and the hospital has no overall effect on birth outcomesbut you dont want your hospital to be so far that youre worrying about traffic when baby is on the way. Which is why, as Little says, Birth is mostly local. Most people are choosing hospitals nearby.

Insurance coverage. Look for maternity hospitals with doctors who take your insurance, since what gets covered in and out of network can vary greatly.

Facilities for high-risk pregnancies. If youve had a difficult pregnancy, a complicated past delivery or any preexisting health condition that may affect your pregnancy, find a labor and delivery hospital that will be able to accommodate you in the worst-case scenario. For instance: Does it have a blood bank? Is there an ICU? An NICU? Rarely are these used, Little says, but people who have high-risk pregnancies need to be somewhere with appropriate care.

What To Expect At Your Pre

Should I see an OB/GYN before my 13th week of pregnancy?

At Madison Womens Health, much of what our OBGYNs do involves pregnancy care and delivering babies. If you become pregnant, well be seeing a lot more of each other!

Set up your very first prenatal visit as soon as you find out youre pregnant. For most women, this happens around week 8, when theyre about 3-4 weeks past their missed period.

Recommended Reading: Mayo Clinic Pregnancy

How To Choose A Provider For Your Pregnancy

Finding the right provider is a crucial first step in your pregnancy journey. Its important to choose a specialist who will help you through all three trimesters, labor and delivery, and postpartum.

There are two provider options for expectant mothers: obstetricians/gynecologists or midwives.

Learn more about OB/GYNs and midwives to help determine what choice is right for you.

What Will Happen At The Hospital

More OB-GYNs than midwives have strict protocols. Some doctors want their patients in bed with an IV, hooked up to a continuous fetal monitor. Midwives generally encourage patients to move around and are also more likely to use intermittent rather than continuous monitoring, according to Johnson. Speak to your OB-GYN well before your delivery date to find out about their policies for childbirth in the hospitalâand make sure they mesh with your expectations.

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What Should You Ask Your Ob

Generally, your first appointment with your OB-GYN will be to assess your current health and discuss how to have a healthy pregnancy. This is a great opportunity to ask any questions you may have and any highlight concerns. Often writing a list is a great way to make sure you do not forget any important questions that you want to ask your OB-GYN.

Will My Health Conditions/Medications Affect My Fertility?

Some medical conditions can affect your fertility. For example, medical conditions such as PCOS, thyroid disorders, or even STDs can have an impact on how fertile you are and, therefore, how likely you are to conceive. There may also be health conditions that affect your partner which may affect your likelihood to conceive. Being transparent with your OB-GYN is the best way for them to help guide you through your pregnancy journey.

Will I Need to Make Lifestyle Changes to Help Get Pregnant?

There are a few lifestyle aspects that you may need to think about before you start your pregnancy journey. For example, being over or underweight can cause complications with conceiving and giving birth. Additionally, aspects such as smoking or alcohol consumption can negatively impact fertility and pregnancy. If you feel that stopping smoking or drinking would be difficult for you, being truthful with your OB-GYN is very important. Take a look at this Planned Parenthood blog on lifestyle changes for pregnancy.

What Will Happen if I Cant Get Pregnant?

Who Delivers The Baby

How to choose the Best OB

In some large practices, the doctor you see regularly is not always the doctor who delivers your baby. It can be upsetting to develop a relationship with a physician only to have someone you don’t know as well be the person present at birth.

If you want the doctor you see regularly to be the one who delivers your baby, find out if that’s how the practice operates. For example, at the Center for Women’s Health, Dr. Breit delivers 98% of her patients’ babies.

Are you pregnant or thinking about trying to start a family? our office in Wichita, Kansas, for an appointment or request one through our online system.

We offer telehealth appointments, too. Please call our clinic to determine if your visit is eligible for a telemedicine appointment.

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Reasons You Should See Your Obgyn Or Gynecologist

There are many reasons to visit your OBGYN or gynecologist. Below are the typical reasons someone would come in for an appointment at Madison Womens Health.

  • Screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections
  • Pain while going to the bathroom
  • Age-related screenings for breast cancer, colon cancer, osteoporosis, and bone health.
  • Pap smear and pelvic exam
  • HPV screening beginning at age 25

If you have other health symptoms or concerns, such as questions about skin issues, painful joints and aching muscles, anxiety and depression, it is perfectly fine to ask your OBGYN about them. As a primary care provider, your OBGYN can give you care and write prescriptions. They will also refer you to other specialists as needed.

What Hospital Does The Doctor Use

Doctors usually have privileges with a certain regional or local hospital. If you have a strong preference for a hospital in your area, check to be sure thats the hospital your prospective doctor uses.

If youre planning to deliver your baby in a hospital, you may be able to tour the labor and delivery facilities in advance. It could influence your decision for or against a particular doctor.

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