Checklist: Questions to Ask When Choosing an Ob-Gyn
Starting out on your pregnancy journey? Congrats! You’ve got 40 weeks ahead of you filled with excitement, anticipation and a probably a dash of anxiety. You’re bound to have questions and concerns as your body and baby undergo major changes, so finding an ob-gyn to guide you through pregnancy and deliver your little one on the big day is an all-important task. Knowing the right questions to put to prospective doctors will help you narrow your search and select the right one for you. As you prep for your meet-and-greets, read through this checklist of interview questions to ask when choosing an ob-gyn.
• Do you accept my insurance?
• How long have you been in practice? How many births have you attended?
• What hospitals are you affiliated with? Where would I deliver?
• Is this a private or group practice? If it’s a group practice, who will I meet with throughout my pregnancy, and who will deliver my baby? If it’s a private practice, who is on-call when the doctor is not available?
• How many babies do you deliver each month?
• How many patient appointments are scheduled in a day? How much time do you allot for each visit?
• What are the after-hours policies? Are you available by phone or email for questions between visits, or is there a nurse who can provide advice and answers?
• How do you accommodate patients’ birth plan preferences?
• What are your views about pain medication during labor? About natural childbirth?
• What is your c-section rate?
• Do you perform VBACs (vaginal birth after c-section)? What’s your VBAC success rate?
• Do you perform episiotomies as a matter of course?
• Do you have experience with high-risk pregnancies?
• Are you comfortable working with a doula if I decide to hire one?
• Did you like the doctor’s style of communication and bedside manner?
• Did the doctor listen to your concerns and answer all your questions? Did you feel rushed during the interview?
• Did the doctor’s views on pregnancy, childbirth and medical care align with your own?
• Was the office clean?
• Were the nurses and office staff friendly and helpful?
• How long did you wait before being seen?
• Was the office conveniently located?
Updated December 2017
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
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