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Questions to Ask an Ob-Gyn
To be a well-informed patient, you need--and have the right--to know certain things about your Ob-Gyn. Here are some general questions you can ask. Remember, you have to feel comfortable with your provider in order to get the quality care you and your baby deserve!
Training & Experience
>Why did you become an ob-gyn?
>Are you a board-certified ob-gyn?
>Do you have any sub-specialty training?
>How long have you been practicing?
>Are you taking any new patients?
>How many babies have you delivered?
Managing My Pregnancy
>How much time do you allow for prenatal visits?
>On average, how long is the wait in your office?
>What percentage of your own patients do you deliver each month?
>If you are not on call or are delivering another baby, who will deliver my baby?
>Do you have a nurse-midwife in your practice?
>If I call with routine questions between visits, how will you handle them?
>Are you on call 24-hours/day?
>How do I reach you in an emergency or if I am entering labor?
>Do the nurses at the hospital support your birth philosophy?
>Can I choose the hospital in which I will deliver my baby?
>What are your views about recommending alternative, complementary or integrative medical approaches?
Prenatal Care
>What is your policy on informed decision making by parents?
>Which prenatal tests do you recommend?
>When would you recommend or perform:
Ultrasound:
Nonstress test:
Contraction stress test:
Biophysical profile:
>How do you manage my concerns about a specific test?
>What do you consider to be a high-risk pregnancy?
>How much experience do you have with high-risk pregnancy?
>What changes can I expect in my prenatal care if my pregnancy becomes high-risk?
>At what point will you insist on induction?
>Do you recommend any prenatal classes?
>Will you help me prepare a birth plan?
Labor & Delivery
>Will you meet me when I am first admitted to the hospital?
>Who will manage my care until you arrive?
>Will you stay with me throughout my labor, including pushing?
>How much time do you normally spend with mothers in labor?
>What percentage of your patients have hired professional labor assistants (doulas)?
>What views do you hold about professional labor assistants?
>Would you be comfortable with me having a qualified professional labor assistant stay with me at home and check my cervix for as long as my membranes are intact and bring me to the hospital only when I am in active labor?
>What are your suggestions to help me manage pain during labor?
>Which of the following procudures do you routinely employ during labor?
>What percentage of your patients require cesarean sections?
>For which situations do you most commonly perform a cesarean section?
Postpartum Care
>Will I be separated from my baby following delivery?
If yes, when:
If yes, why:
If yes, for how long:
>Can my baby room in with me?
>Will you, or someone on your staff, teach me how to breastfeed?
>What are your views about circumcision?
Cost & Services
NOTE: Since time is often short during initial consultations, you may wish to save the following questions for the office manager or billing department.
>What is your fee?
>Am I covered by my insurance company?
>If no, do you offer payment plans?
>Does your fee need to be paid up front or will I be billed?
>What other costs may I encounter?
Ask Yourself
>Were you kept waiting for long before meeting the obstetrician?
>Were you comfortable with the obstetrician?
>If he attended did the obstetrician involve your partner in the discussion?
>Were the support staff and nurses at the office helpful in answering your questions?
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