Pregnant women are always asking me how to find the best obstetrician to go to for their pregnancies and births. It’s a great question, and the decision shouldn’t be made lightly. The good news is that by doing a little homework and soul-searching early on, you’ll be able to find the obstetrician who is right for you.

First, you’ll need to get clear about what characteristics of a doctor are important to you. There are many personality types, philosophies, and styles of practice, and one doctor doesn’t fit all. Many of today’s obstetric practices are collaborative groups that include obstetricians (MDs or DOs), certified nurse-midwives, and nurse practitioners, and you may or may not be interested in the increased personal attention that midlevel providers (midwives) typically provide. And, you’ll need to speak up and let your preferences be known, so your sources may point you in the right direction.

Before you get too far in your quest, you’ll need to pay attention to your health plan’s benefits and provider network. Some plans allow you to choose your practice among all those in your area; others may restrict your choices to a subset of participating providers. You’ll need to check your benefits and network provider list. Depending on your circumstances, this might narrow down your search at the start. But, don’t let these lists restrict you too much – sometimes it is worth a little extra out-of-pocket expense to go to a provider who is not on the list if the network can’t meet your needs…

You might want to start by checking the referral sources that are available locally and on the Internet. Most ob groups only deliver at one hospital these days, so hospital affiliations are important. Call your local hospital(s) physician-finder line and ask for a list of obstetricians that use the hospital. Don’t be satisfied with just one name: get the whole list of practices. You may also visit the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists or the American College of Nurse-Midwives websites to find OB practitioners in your area.

One of the best ways to find an obstetrician is to ask nurses. If you have any personal access to labor and delivery nurses, ask one or more of them off the record who she’d recommend. It has to be a private one-on-one conversation, though; simply calling the hospital and asking for a nurse will not result in a candid recommendation.

If nurses aren’t available, you could get the names of childbirth educators, lactation consultants, or La Leche League leaders in your area. These women are usually well connected, and should have insight into the styles of practices in your area.

You may also rely on the recommendations of friends, family, or acquaintances, but be careful to be as objective as possible in evaluating these referrals to be sure the practices fit your needs. Many people are charged by birth stories, and, unfortunately, their referrals may be clouded by their own personal agendas. I do not mean to discount anyone’s experience; it’s just that their ideas may or may not be of value to you.

However easy or hard the process seems, know that, ultimately, the choice is yours. If you find yourself in a situation where your first doesn’t choice doesn’t meet your needs, don’t hesitate to explore the option of switching practices during your pregnancy. You’ll want to make the change as early as possible, though, so you’ll have plenty of time to develop a relationship with your new doctor before your birth.

Most practices in this country are composed of doctors and other practitioners who practice “good medicine,” so it’s hard to go wrong as far as safety issues are concerned. But the important thing here is that you find a practice that suits your needs so that you feel well supported during your pregnancy and birth. I hope these words help you find the best doctor for yourself.

Best wishes for a healthy and happy pregnancy!

RW,MD

Related Topics: Choosing a Caregiver and Place to Give Birth, Questions to Ask Your Doctor or Midwife