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I, Belinda, have chosen to go with an OB/GYN so I will be writing from that perspective here on out. I came across some websites that had some good tips on interviewing a doctor and evaluating your comfort level so I thought I’d share them with you.

While you are waiting to see the doctor, take a look around the office. Is it comfortable and clean? Was the staff nice to you? How long did you have to wait? Ask someone at the desk if that is a typical wait time. You can also ask the front desk some office related questions such as office hours (weekend/nights?), payment plan options, post-partum resources, how long prenatal visits are scheduled to last, who to contact if you have questions between visits, breastfeeding support,

When you see the doctor, don’t be afraid to ask him/her questions. You could even tell them that you’d like to get to know them a bit before they start their exam. I’ll list some examples below.

• How long have you been in practice?
• What board certifications do you have? Are you a member of any organizations related to the OB/GYN field?
• Where did you get your training and when?
• Do you work individually or as a group? (If group, ask to meet the others.)
• Why did you become an OB/GYN doctor?
• What do you like best about your job?
• What are some typical tests that might be done to someone like me?
• What hospitals do you work with?
• If you are unavailable, who is your backup?
• If there is an emergency, are you reachable? How would I reach you?
• How many babies do you deliver vaginally versus c-section?
• How often do you have to use the vacuum or forceps?
• What is your position on interventions such as induction, c-sections, pain control, episiotomies, monitoring, IVs, etc.?
• How often do you do episiotomies?
• What labor method do you support?
• Do you use birth plans?
• Are you experienced working with high-risk pregnancies/deliveries?
• Do you have any scheduling conflicts as of now around my due date?
• When we arrive at the hospital, how often/long will you be with me?
• Tell me about a typical birth.

After your appointment, reassess your experience and ask yourself if you were comfortable with the doctor and other staff. Did the doctor include your partner in the visit? Did it appear that the doctor had a personal interest in helping you?

Remember, no concern or thought is abnormal! Do what feels right for you and your family. Good luck!

Belinda

Sources: voices.yahoo.com  www.babyzone.com

Hi there! I hope our last post helped you narrow down your possibilities some. There is one more decision to make before meeting that special person that will help bring your little one into this world! Which would be the best fit for you: a doula, midwife, or OB/GYN? Here’s what I compiled about each…

A doula is like a second labor coach. They are not trained to give any medical care so prenatal visits, the actually delivery, and postnatal care will be given by another provider. Doulas focus on the emotional and physical support of the mother and the family. They will be with you through the entire labor and delivery and seek to reduce the stress that often accompanies labor and delivery. Typical services given by doulas are techniques for physical comfort, aromatherapy, medication, breathing techniques, assistance with writing a birth plan, and even childcare during labor and delivery. To find a doula you can contact Doulas of North America at www.dona.org to find one in your area.

Much like a doula, a midwife is focused on relaxation techniques. However, contrary to doulas, midwives have medical training. Now, there are two different types of midwives: certified midwife and certified nurse midwife. A certified midwife is a person who has background in a health related field and has graduated from a midwifery program. Certified nurse midwives are nurses who have also graduated from a midwifery program. Midwives are commonly used with at-home births but are able to work in hospitals as well; although, they are not trained for surgery or high-risk births. Stepping back a bit, midwives are certified to give prenatal care. Their appointments tend to be a little longer than a typical doctor’s appointment because of their focus on making the mother feel as comfortable as possible. To find a certified nurse midwife in your area visit the American College of Certified Nurse Midwives’ website at www.midwife.org.

An OB/GYN is a trained medical professional. Each one has completed four years of medical school, plus four years of residency. OB/GYNs tend to be more educated in the up and coming medical practices of the day and not as focused on the specific area of relaxation and emotional support as doulas and midwives are. That is not to say that they do not care, just that they are typically more apt to use medical interventions than alternate methods of calming the scene during labor and delivery. You can get a list of licensed OB/GYNs from the American Congress of OB/GYN located in Washington D.C. by calling (202) 638-5577 or by visiting their website at www.acog.org.

Regardless of these general statements about each of these practitioners, it is important to meet with the individual you are interested in receiving care from and get a feel for how well they match with your own personal beliefs and feelings related to labor and delivery.

Belinda

Sources: www.storknet.com www.babyfit.com www.babyzone.com www.babycenter.com

Great news! Belinda (our studio assistant) is having a baby! We are so excited that one of our own is joining the family of parenthood. Her newborn baby is coming November 20th! As such, we decided that it would be fun to share some research with you in one convenient place. The first thing Belinda is trying to figure out is what kind of care to get for her pregnancy through delivery and post-birth? Who knew there were different options? Before diving into the worlds of doulas, midwives, and OB/GYNs, there are things you can consider to narrow down the prospects.

Possibly the most important is to take a look at your insurance’s preferred provider list. If you really like a provider that is not on their list, you can consider paying the difference. Second, ask family and friends in the area about their experiences and whom they would recommend. Their personal testimonies will give you valuable insight to the personalities of the different providers. You can also call the local hospital and ask to speak with the labor/delivery nurse.

Ask yourself if you would feel more comfortable working with a male or female and if you prefer a single provider versus a co-op group. If you don’t mind a group setting, you can always ask to meet the other providers so you have a level of familiarity with them all. I went to Bend OBGYN and Dr. James Carlson is my doc, and I can’t speak enough about every provider there! They are all fantastic.

On a more personal level, consider your own health history and preferences regarding labor and delivery. You can often find out a lot about a provider’s philosophy by their website or by calling the office and talking with a nurse. Make sure the provider has experience handling your situation and is on the same page as far as your wants and needs are concerned. Do not be afraid to ask questions regarding interventions, alternate support, breastfeeding, and anything else you may have in your mind.

Another avenue to research is the actual hospital. Again, do not be afraid to ask questions! Lots of hospitals have websites with FAQs that you can read through as well. Anne Carlson with Bend Birthing and Beyond runs the hospital tours here at St. Charles. LOVE her! She also has great birthing classes, but that’s for another post! Some things to ask about are where labor and delivery take place, will the baby stay in the same room with you all the time, do they have round the clock, on-site support (anesthesiologist, anesthetist, lactation consultants), visitation hours, etc.

Hope this helps get you started. Look for our next post to find out more about your options between doulas, midwives, and OB/GYNs.

Julia

Sources: www.babycenter.com voices.yahoo.com www.babyzone.com www.obgyn.net