Choosing a Doctor During Pregnancy

Types of Doctors

Different types of doctors specialize in certain areas of care during pregnancy. While it is common to think of your prenatal care provider as a stereotypical doctor at the hospital, your choices are not limited to this one option. This type of doctor is known as a obstetrician, or a doctor who specializes in pregnancy. He will help you throughout the pregnancy and birth. The family practitioner helps both during pregnancy and afterward, often working with the obstetrician during the pregnancy and birth process. She can continue to provide care to the baby and you afterward. Perinatologists specialize in complicated and high-risk pregnancies and will only be needed in rare cases. Your doctor will refer you to one if this is the case. Finally, a midwife is a stay-at-home doctor who comes to your own house to work with you if you choose to give birth there instead of at a hospital.

Considerations

Before you can choose who you want for your doctor, you need to know which type you are looking for. This allows you to narrow down your search. Consider your own religious feelings and how comfortable you are with a stay-at-home birth versus a hospital delivery. If you have a low-risk pregnancy, a midwife is an option. This is more private and encouraged by some religions. It is also more convenient as there is no late-night trip to the hospital when the baby decides to come. However, if you have a high-risk pregnancy you cannot use a midwife, and if you experience any complications during birth you will have to go to the hospital. Your choice is based partially on what you feel most comfortable with, and partially on how high or low risk your pregnancy is.

Choosing Your Doctor

You should start looking for a doctor as soon as you find out you are pregnant. It is ideal to start looking before you even become pregnant. However, most people do not have a chance to plan this far ahead. If you have a family doctor, you can ask him for recommendations. He may have someone in the same hospital you would like working with, or know a good doctor to refer you to. If you are looking around, start by simply meeting with the doctor or midwife to talk to her. Is she friendly and respectful of your wishes during the conversation? Does he seem educated about his job? Take a tour of the hospital and the delivery rooms. Do you think you would be comfortable and feel safe there? When interviewing a midwife, find out if she is experienced and ask for references. Try to find a friend or relative who used a midwife and see what her experience was like and who she would recommend. Finally, talk to your insurance company to see if your policy covers the doctor that you have chosen.

Resources

• Choosing a Prenatal Care Provider
• Choosing a Doctor for Your Baby