Finding the obstetrician or midwife that’s right for you

What to look for in an obstetrician or midwife

Every woman is unique, and you want a doctor or midwife who can best serve your individual needs and preferences.

Does he or she have a personality that works for you? Do you feel comfortable asking questions? Is he/she qualified to manage any special conditions you might have? Is he or she in your insurance plan? You should make an informed decision. There’s no pressure to stick with the first OB-GYN or midwife that you have selected.

The right hospital might be more important than your OB-GYN or midwife

Choosing the right OB-GYN or midwife to care for you may seem like a big decision but in the end, it might turn out to be less important than the hospital you choose for your eventual delivery.

It’s very common for healthcare providers to rotate responsibilities while delivering babies, so there is a strong possibility that the OB-GYN or midwife who cared for you in the office will not be there on the big day. This could seem like a letdown if you’re especially close with him or her, but the benefit is that the person who’s delivering your baby will not be splitting their attention between the labor floor and their office.

Choosing a hospital can have just as much, if not more, impact on how your delivery goes as choosing your healthcare provider. For this reason, the C-section rates of a hospital are worth scrutinizing. Really high C-section rates may increase your risk of getting an unnecessary surgery.

Unnecessary C-sections cause increased pain and recovery time (a real drag when you are trying to care for a newborn), and can also have serious health consequences for both the mom and baby.

Consider first choosing which hospital you want to deliver at and then choosing among the OB-GYNs and midwives that deliver babies at that hospital.

How do you know if you’ve picked the right hospital? Tap below to learn more.