Finding an OBGYN for Your Journey Into Motherhood

Having a baby can be the most exciting and most nerve wracking time in a woman’s life. While you may be excited to be adding a bundle of joy to your family if you don’t have a good doctor you could feel like you are taking this trip into motherhood alone. Even if this isn’t your first trip to the delivery room, you will want to have someone helping you make the health decisions that are necessary in order to have the healthiest baby possible. For this reason, you will want to get the best OBGYN that you can afford.

If you already have a gynecologist, you are probably in luck. 90% of all gynecologists also perform the services of an obstetrician. Please understand that some do not, because the malpractice insurance to be an obstetrician is very expensive and some doctors simply cannot afford it. If your doctor does handle birth cases, by all means keep your regular gynecologist. This is probably a person you have come to know and trust to help you make the right health decisions over the years. This doctor's services can make becoming a mother far less stressful.

However, if you are like many women, you do not have a regular gynecologist that you see yearly. If that is the case, finding an OBGYN early in your pregnancy is the key. Start your search by asking all the mommies in your life who they go to. Most likely there will be at least one whose doctor is taking new patients. Don’t be afraid to have a list of requirements ready to ask about during your initial consultation. Most obstetricians will have you come in for an informal visit to get all your information and to confirm the pregnancy before accepting you as a full patient. This is your opportunity to find out where they stand on certain issues that might be important to you. There are some physicians that do not give out birth control after the baby is born because of their belief system, while others do. If this is a must, then you really need to know up front.

When you make your appointment with your OBGYN make certain that you have all your insurance information ready and available while you are on the phone. The receptionist might ask for some of the information to confirm your coverage prior to your first appointment, so there are no delays. If you don’t have insurance, the receptionist will let you know how much you need to bring with you for your first appointment and then you will need to speak to a billing specialist in their office to work out a payment plan.

Don’t be afraid to ask around or search around for an OBGYN prior to getting pregnant either. Being comfortable with your physician can make the whole process more enjoyable when you do become pregnant.