FTM Question - "Interviewing" Multiple OBs

RunRestRepeat

Good morning! I have a FTM question that I haven't seen answered directly in previous ob posts. I would love and STM (or beyond) to chime in - I'm hoping this helps any other FTMs while picking an ob!

Here's the (hopefully short) background:
I saw my pcp yesterday who confirmed pregnancy. Because this is my first and I'm new(ish) to my city, I didn't have an ob picked out. She recommended a local practice, and I called to set an appt for December 19th.

Any STMs, would you suggest I look around for other obs/midwives in my area to get the ball rolling/get something set up now? Or would it be better to wait until after this initial appointment and see how I like the clinic that my pcp recommended? I'm leaning toward only keeping this appt and seeing how I feel about them after, but I am curious as to how others have gone about this or if I'm missing any logic on one way versus another!

hqinmd

Just to save your time, I'd see how you feel with the one. If you aren't comfortable though, by all means look elsewhere afterward. Trust is so important  

theweevee

I intially did exactly what you did, but then got nervous so I called a few OBs and set up interviews.  The OB I had an appointment with wouldn't set up an interview, and I found someone I was comfortable with after the interview, so I went forward with the doctor who I liked from the interview instead.

it was probably a good call for me, because I want to deliver in a particular way and was worried that the doctor would have an opinion about that.  Coincidentally, the one I interviewed with chose to have her own baby delivered the way I want to go, so she is completely supportive.  

satsumasandlemons

The first time around I had met with an obgyn recommended to me by a friend but we did not vibe at all, so I started looking around online and found a doctor with gray reviews and the feedback really resonated with me: good bedside manners, very supportive of birth plans, okay with holding off on induction, etc etc. I love her and would use her this time if we didn't move - it's just too hard to get to her office and the hospital. 

Id recommend looking around local mom groups and getting recommendations there. 

glitterfish-2

Check your bump app or search here - this is one of the first weekly articles.

RunRestRepeat

Thanks, @hqinmd @theweevee and @satsumasandlemons! I'll probably just see how I feel after this appt. The practice has several obs that you rotate through (all female) and from their bios it seems like they are all great. We'll see. Thanks for the advice.

@GlitterFish My apologies - I looked but must have missed it. I'll go back and look again.

glitterfish-2

No problem @RunRestRepeat, I just think a list to work from is more helpful than scattered opinions. 

Personally, as for now I'm sticking with my original because I don't have anything specific I'm looking for and I haven't had issues with this practice listening to me. Even though I didn't "need" betas, I wanted them so they ordered them, and I'm good with that!

ashaw512

There's actually a post a little further down about ob questions. it may be on rhe next page, there's some helpful links there.

glitterfish-2

From The Bump: "Checklist: Interviewing A New OB"

 https://www.thebump.com/a/interviewing-a-new-ob

 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xogrp.thebump

RunRestRepeat

Thanks, @GlitterFish I totally agree. I much prefer working from a list. I've read a lot of the "first appointment questions" lists and have already begun compiling my own! I'm thinking I'll just stick with this ob for now and see how we get on - I'm kinda like you where I don't have anything major I'm looking for as long as they listen to me/our needs!

And thanks, @ashaw512 - I saw the lists of questions but hadn't seen anything about the process of actually making multiple appointments. I'll check the links!

kinge16

I would also note that you will be dealing a lot with support staff. From calling and asking questions to setting appointments. Make sure you like them too! 

GoogleMD

I would find a hospital that aligns with how you want  to deliver and then chose a doc. many aspects of delivery are not doctor driven, but rather based on hospital policy. I chose a hospital that pushed breastfeeding, had a labor tub, delayed baths, standard practice is to place baby immediately on moms chest, offers various laboring techniques, rooming in with baby, individual nicu rooms so mom can stay with baby. Since these are all standard practice I didnt worry too much, the only thing I discussed with my OB was my desire to allow baby to go as long as safely possible, and avoid C section, which they were 100% on board.