OB Choice?

mmluvswdw

Did any of you choose your OB or were they just referrals from your normal doctor?  If you chose how did you go about it? Our doc recommended someone not covered by our insurance, which is why I'm questioning.  I've seen the checklists on here, but not really sure if there's a website or something I should reference.  Or something else I should be looking at, hospital location etc.

I'm thinking just start looking them up on insurance and make and appt and see how it goes? We don't live by family or close friends that I'd feel comfortable asking for references.

normajeane6126

Unfortunately, I found my OB the hard way. He's the doctor who admitted me to the hospital with my first m/c. 

starlily313

I'm part of a HMO, so I was just assigned an OB randomly when I called in to schedule my first appt. I looked up his bio online before I went in & after meeting him decided I didn't need to look any further or request a change.

p1nklemonade

we got referrals from our friends.  can you post on a local board or message forum for recommendations?

staycee

I really didn't have a choice, I was referred to a perinatologist.

MrsDL

I have been going to a certified nurse midwife for my regular gyn visits for several years - I'll be using her. She practices in an office with well credentialed and board certified MDs, so if I should need an MD I'm comfortable with the physcians in the practice.

If you haven't thought about a CNM (they are NP) - I highly recommend. I love mine - she's better than any OB/Gyn I've ever seen - they really give more personal time and attention imo.

staycee

MrsDL:

I have been going to a certified nurse midwife for my regular gyn visits for several years - I'll be using her. She practices in an office with well credentialed and board certified MDs, so if I should need an MD I'm comfortable with the physcians in the practice.

If you haven't thought about a CNM (they are NP) - I highly recommend. I love mine - she's better than any OB/Gyn I've ever seen - they really give more personal time and attention imo.

I see my high-risk CNM 2 out of every 3 visits (and the peri the other visit).   I love my CNM.    It was also the CNM's at the RE's office that were really wonderful.

ManiacMcGee

I just picked out of my insurance book and lucked out.  I'm under the impression you can call for a introductory appointment to just chat with the doctor, but you may want to check with your insurance company first. I have no idea if they would cover that kind of appt or if you'd pay OOP or even what the cost of a conversation would be.

Good luck!

RunningGal900

We are moving in December, so I have to start over with an OB then. I got a recommendation from a friend, but before that I was looking into Dr's that deliver at the hospital that I want to deliver at. I looked up a few names, where they went to school, saw if they had any complaints against them etc. I am going to meet mine in September.

Good luck! I know it is stressful trying to find a Dr when you're pregnant!

changingnames

  I was really unhappy with the experience we had at our son's birth so this time aorund I did more research.  I chose my doctor after speaking to several of the lactation consultants that helped me thru BFing my first.  BFing is a high priority for me and Dh and we were shocked by not only a lack of support but actual discouragment we recieved from our past OB and hospital  (he repeatedly told me not to bother myself and at every post baby appt told me the baby had gotten everythign he could and to give it up). 

   I also wanted someone with a more "natural" approach to childbirth and to know who would be attending my birth (my old office had ten doctors that rotated and you got whoever was oncall). 

  You may want to look into available hospitals and see which docots have priveledges at the hospital you like.  You could ask questions like what their c section rate is or what types of labor are allowed or encouraged there.  Can you walk around during labor, do they have tubs, how long before you are required to have a petocin drip, if BFing is somethig you are intrested in you can ask about their lactation services and talk to the LCs.  It may be helpful to consider what type of birth you are intrested in and find a doctor that will support you in that. I know it can be overwhelming, best of luck.

Zappy1013

I was referred by my GP during my first pregnancy.  I met him, liked him, stuck with him, and I'm going back to him for my second.

AJBMD915

p1nklemonade:

we got referrals from our friends.  can you post on a local board or message forum for recommendations?

I did this.

I got a recommendation for Dr. B from the nurses at my Dr's office.  Called the number, wasn't where she practiced anymore.  Called the hospital, they couldn't find her.  So I asked my SIL for a rec.  Called her dr, they couldn't get me in for months.  So I turned to my local bump boards.  Got a great recommendation from several people for Dr. A.  Called her office.  Dr. A wasn't accepting new patients but Dr. C was.  So I saw her and LOVED her.  Saw Dr. A (recommendation from bumpies and actually hated her, lol).  Turns out though that the initial rec of Dr. B actually worked at my ob's office.  Saw her a couple of times during my pg and she was great.

Asking random strangers is great.  They have no reason to lie, they'll tell you everything.

d-squared

I'm actually in this process now since we moved.This might be a little OCD fro you, but I made an excel sheet with the doctors name only including the ones that were board certified. Then I added the distance from my house, the hospital that they are affiliated with, the school they graduated from, and the year they graduated. The hospital is very important here because one of them is very old and out dated. I then narrowed down the list and checked the doctors rating on https://www.ratemds.com/  and https://www.healthgrades.com/

Finally I asked friends. I found a great doctor that got excellent ratings and everyone I spoke too loves her. 

HTH