Selecting an OBGYN

Selecting an OBGYN is an important decision. This is a woman’s most intimate health care provider who will likely be accompanying her on some of life’s most momentous journeys. The OB portion of this classification stands for obstetrician. This is a physician who delivers babies. The practitioner who brings a family’s infants into the light is a memorable and special individual. They are long remembered as the child moves through their growing up years. A competent and skilled obstetrician can make the childbirth experience more pleasant, comfortable and safe. An incompetent one can not only cause the experience to be bumpier but can be seriously detrimental as well. The GYN portion of the title refers to gynecologist. A gynecologist is truly a female’s most intimate doctor. This MD performs preventative examinations, diagnoses diseases which pertain to a woman’s reproductive system and genitalia. If medications and treatment plans in these regions are necessary, this is the doc who will oversee treatments. How does a patient select the right OBGYN for herself?

- Word-of-mouth recommendations: It is helpful to obtain referrals for this physician from friends, family members, co-workers and neighbors. Asking female friends who have children about their childbirth experiences and about the doctors they like or don’t care for will begin to spotlight some stellar possibilities.

- Reputation in medical community: Individuals who work in the medical community such as family doctors, pharmacists, nurses or office staff will often know about the best practitioners. They know the behind-the-scenes scoop regarding these doctors. They’ve seen them in action, been in the trenches with them, and know how they operate under pressure.

- Mom’s clubs: Maternity exercise classes, mommy’s clubs and groups, La Leche League meetings, even the local park where mothers bring their youngsters are good places to strike up conversations to get referrals about things regarding new parenthood. Who delivers the babies in the community will surely be an important topic of discussion.

- Online doctor referral websites: In our day of widespread computer access, just about any information a person would desire is available via the click of keyboards and a mouse. Want to read some posts from past patients or learn where doctors went to college? This information is available on the Internet. Want to find out about an MD’s bedside manner and whether the staff is welcoming and warm? Even these tidbits are readily available. It’s important to read an array of opinion posts, however. One or two rants or praise hymns can’t possibly tell the whole story.

- Initial consultation: Making an appointment to personally meet and interview an OBGYN will be a great way to make the final decision. It’s helpful to make a list of questions about philosophies, fees and practices before this appointment to stay on track during this meeting. Listening to the answers plus gauging the chemistry between the doctor and yourself is a wonderful way to decide if this is the doctor for you.

An OBGYN is an important health care provider in the course of a mother-to-be’s life. Doing a bit of research will allow her to find the best practitioner for her.