Finding a New Doc

Ash9614 · March 2016

Hi ladies,
My gyno does not practice obstectrics, so I need to find an OB Asap (I've been under the care of an RE for about 6 weeks). As I go through all of the healthcare providers covered by my insurance, I thought it would be good for us to share what's important to us from a physician standpoint. For instance, are you doing an OB? A Doula? A Midwife? How important is where they went to school or did their residency? Have you looked at Yelp ratings to help you determine if they're a fit for you? Do you want them to be touchy-feely or all business? These are all questions that have occurred to me in the last few days, so thought others may be experiencing the same. There's just so much to consider!

ShallowSeas · March 2016

I'm in the same place as you. I moved to a completely different side of town about 9 months ago so driving to my current OB/GYN is not going to work anymore. I've been working with an RE for 3 months. I do plan on finding another OB in my area but have no idea where to start, so I plan on asking my RE for recommendations.

Have you considered asking you RE/nurses/office ladies for any recommendations?

hellopartyof5 · March 2016

I honestly asked my PCP for a recommendation last time and it worked out really well! It is a 30 minute drive to his office though, so well see if that works as well this time.

evilgreencows5 · March 2016

When I chose my OB for my first I had appointments with 2 of the most recommended doctors in my area and chose based on how i liked them. I did the same when I chose my midwife for a vbac.

DunkinDecaf · March 2016

When I was choosing an OB for my first pregnancy what mattered most to me was the hospital they were at. I chose the hospital that I thought had the best resources and staff, and then found a doctor that I loved there. As far as choosing an OB, it was very much about compatibility for me. My OB has a very scientific approach to every question I ask her, and she explains it that way without talking down to me or implying that I wouldn't understand her reasoning. She takes all of my concerns seriously, and never makes light of my worries. There are two hospitals I could be going to that are closer but I'm happy to make the 40 minute drive because I love her and I love that facility.
I just wish I could guarantee I got the same nurse for delivery this time around. The nurse who was there for me last time were so. so. awesome.

MollySm · March 2016

I had my family doctor for my 2nd daughter, and it was perfect. She was awesome, and I loved having her know my kids right from birth. Unfortunately my husband's job changed their insurance last summer, and I cannot find a family doctor through this new insurance that does deliveries. So I need to call and figure something out. I haven't ever done prenatal care with an OB, but I might have to this time.

Ash9614 · March 2016

ShallowSeas said:

I'm in the same place as you. I moved to a completely different side of town about 9 months ago so driving to my current OB/GYN is not going to work anymore. I've been working with an RE for 3 months. I do plan on finding another OB in my area but have no idea where to start, so I plan on asking my RE for recommendations.

Have you considered asking you RE/nurses/office ladies for any recommendations?

I have asked my RE and they said they'd suggest a few at my 6 week appointment. I think they want to wait until they hear a heartbeat, which I get, but if I wait until 6 weeks to make an appointment, it'll be forever before I'm seen by a new doc!

Ash9614 · March 2016

evilgreencows5 said:

When I chose my OB for my first I had appointments with 2 of the most recommended doctors in my area and chose based on how i liked them. I did the same when I chose my midwife for a vbac.

I thought about doing this, but was afraid everyone would think I was really high-maintenance. Which I very well may be, but they don't need to know that before they take me on as a patient lol.

kns1988 · March 2016

I work in IT for a hospital, but I didn't have a relationship yet with any OBs here. I just searched on the website for an OB in the network and chose the one that had a name I recognized. Not the most thorough approach, but he has a good reputation. Hopefully I'll like him when I meet him Monday.

It's important to me that my OB is to the point, not touchy-feely, and has an office staff that promptly answers calls and gets me in for appointments quickly. So far, so good.

momousekee · March 2016

I have two hospitals that I might want to deliver at. One's nicer for a fairly low risk delivery. The other is better for a high risk/potentially sick baby. I wanted an OB who had privileges at both. Then I looked at locations and online reviews.

I care about the front office, and so far they seem efficient, friendly and generally useful. They were happy to split the first appointment into 30 minutes with the OB and an hour and a half with the NP instead of 2 hours at once.

My OB had a personal statement on their webpage, and it said things that I liked. It was heavy on informed decisions and personal choice. I have some questions related to my first pregnancy and intervening health changes - if he gives me a useful answer without increasing my anxiety - I'll probably keep him.

GraceUponGrace09 · March 2016

Ugh, I need to pick a new OB too and am really dreading it! Last time, I delivered at a small local hospital that I loved because they let me do whatever I wanted and were super flexible and friendly. Plus it's newly remolded! But the dr I was using moved and the only drs that deliver at that hospital work at a lower class office (no judgment, I just haven't heard good things from a friend who was going there for her PCP and I don't know of anyone that's used them as an OB) so I could go to where I know some friends have gone buts it's farther from home (40 mins so not that bad) and that hospital has huge regulations and rules they are super strict about.
I hate decisions like this! I feel like I never really know until I'm half way through and then I hate to change, although I know I can if I really need to.

citygirl17 · March 2016

I work in physician credentialing, so you might say I'm picky about selecting my providers. I love my OB/GYN who took me through my first pregnancy and am using her again this time. A major question should be where does the provider have privileges? The hospital I am delivering at has an excellent reputation and it's really important to me that I receive my care there. They saved my daughter's life after my first delivery. I wanted a provider who is smart, direct and doesn't sugar-coat things, but also has a really gentle and calming presence for me and the baby. So a good balance. Big name schools for training don't impress me as much as a good personality and bedside manner; that can't be taught. I know doctors who did all their training at Ivy Leagues and are pompous, entitled jerks who I would never waste my time with.

AandDM2014 · March 2016

@Ash9614 It is VERY reasonable that your RE wouldn't make any recommendations until they are sure you have a viable pregnancy. No use in going to an OB before you have a heartbeat. My OB told me to not bother coming in until I was at least 10 weeks (a wee bit nicer than that, but that was the basic message), and even then it is just for a urine test and, if that turns positive, a blood test. Then they'll schedule me for an actual appointment.

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