Dr. Shannon M. Clark discusses how to pick your obstetrician and questions to ask! Below are a few questions addressed. Watch the entire video at the end!
- Get Referrals and ask friends and family, but be cautious of on-line patient reviews. You can also ask your insurance company what providers are covered by your insurance plan
- Decide what kind of practitioner you want: An ObGyn (MD or DO), Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
- Research the Obstetrician/Gynecologist’s Credentials
- Pick a practice and hospital
- Look at your insurance and understand your costs upfront
- Consider your health history
- Who will see me during my prenatal visits? How often do I need to see you during my pregnancy?
- Who will deliver my baby?
- If I or my baby has complications, how will they be handled?
- Can we discuss/review my birth plan? What is your preferred format?
- Ask about the doctor’s and delivery team’s philosophies on issues that are important to you, such as:
- Elective induction of labor after 39 weeks’ gestation
- Continuous electronic fetal heart rate monitoring
- Pain management
- Having a doula present or a birth plan in place
- Vaginal delivery if you’ve had a C-section in the past (VBAC)
- Their availability for questions during and after office hours
- Operative deliveries
- Episiotomies
- Breastfeeding support
- Childbirth and parenting classes offered