With all the difficulty and unknown that can be associated with pregnancy, choosing the right doctor is incredibly important especially when choosing a Chicago gynecologist OBGYN . You want someone experienced, accessible, capable and that you feel comfortable with.
Many doctors are willing to do consultations free of charge. Along with considering things like reviews and referrals, utilizing these consultations when selecting a doctor can pay off heavily in the end. You just want to be sure that youre not going over the allotted free period to avoid charges and that you ask the right questions. Most inquiries about fees and insurance can be saved for the billing department or office manager, and going in with a list of questions can help you to stay organized and make sure the doctor your interviewing addresses whats most important to you.
Here are some important things to consider:
Experience:
How long has the doctor been practicing obstetrics and how many babies have they delivered?
Have they dealt with high-risk pregnancies before?
Office comfort:
What is the typical wait time in their office?
Role in the birthing process and accessibility:
Do they normally deliver their own patients babies?
If so, at what point in the labor process will they come to the hospital, and what will happen before then?
Can they be reached in an emergency?
What happens when theyre not available?
What do they suggest to help with labor pain?
What procedures do they routinely employ during labor and delivery, such as enemas, continuous fetal monitoring, IVs and episiotomies?
Care performed:
What prenatal tests do they usually do?
What kind of child birth classes do they recommend?
Will they help you to develop a birth plan?
Care available:
At which hospitals do they have admitting privileges?
Is an anesthesiologist (or anesthetist) available in the hospital around the clock if you want an epidural, attempt a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) or need an emergency c-section?
Do they perform c-sections, and if not, who could perform one for you?
Past outcomes:
What percentage of their patients have had vacuum-assisted deliveries, episiotomies and have ended up with c-sections?
What is their success rate with VBAC, and how does that stack up to the norm of 60 to 80 percent? Do they recommend it?
Qualifications:
For obstetricians:
Are they a board-certified ob-gyn?
For perinatologists:
Are they board-certified in maternal-fetal medicine?For family physicians
:Have they had extra training in obstetrics beyond family medicine residency?
Postpartum:
Will you be separated from your baby after birth? If so, when and for how long?
Can anyone help you with breastfeeding?
If you deliver a boy and want a circumcision, can the doctor perform it?
