Choosing a Practice for Your Pregnancy Care

September 07, 2008

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Choosing a Practice for Your Pregnancy Care

by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.
reviewed by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.

My mother told me this story of her interview with an obstetrician over forty years ago. During her first prenatal visit, she asked him about anesthesia for childbirth. He laughed and said, "Oh, are we going to be a baby?" to which she replied, "No, we are going to find a new doctor."

If you know what you want for your birth experience, you can choose a practitioner, and a practice, that will help you to get there. Even if you're not sure what you want, you should be sure that you find a practitioner who is willing to help you make choices that are right for you, and with whom you feel comfortable.

Practitioners differ in their training and range of practice, in what type of settings they deliver babies, in their cross-coverage, after-hours and weekend arrangements, in their experience, and in personal philosophy and style of interaction.

Group Practices and Coverage Arrangements
Most practitioners do not work 24/7: they sometimes have a personal life. When choosing a practice, consider asking questions such as

How does the practice that you have chosen work?
Will you see all members of the group on a rotating basis during your prenatal care?
If you see primarily one practitioner, who else might deliver the baby?
Will you meet them during your prenatal visits?
What is the chance that your primary practitioner will be the one there for you in labor?
Do the other practitioners have a similar philosophy and personal style?
If you go to a family doctor or nurse midwife, what are their arrangements if you need an obstetrician due to a complication in your pregnancy or birth?

There aren't "right answers" to these questions; just be sure you are comfortable with the answers provided to you.

Practitioner's philosophy
At some point in your pregnancy (the earlier the better, if you have strong beliefs or unusual childbirth preferences) you need to be sure that you and your practitioner communicate well, and that there is not major conflict between your beliefs. This is one of the best uses for a birth plan. Even if you haven't formalized any sort of birth plan early in the pregnancy, initiating a discussion about childbirth options, such as epidural, natural un-medicated childbirth, and cesarean, can help you gain insight into his philosophy.

My mother got an idea about her doctor's beliefs with just one simple question, and was able to switch to an obstetrician who could support her preferences.


RELATED INFORMATION

			Childbirth Classes
			Childbirth Settings: Choosing Where to Have Your Baby
			Childbirth Preparation
			Pregnancy Care

Created September 08, 2000
Reviewed April 15, 2003

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