Ob-Gyn or Family Physician Interview Sheet

Name: __________________________________________
Location: ________________________________________

Use these questions to guide you during your interview when you're choosing an obstetrician or family physician to deliver your baby.

Things to Remember:
+ Most doctors have only about ten to 15 minutes to spare for an interview. If the interview takes longer (up to 30 minutes), some physicians may charge a consultation fee.

+ Remember, when you choose a healthcare provider, you're also generally choosing the institution where you will deliver, which will have its own protocols and procedures. You can call the office ahead of time to ask about the doctor's hospital privileges. Ask if the hospital offers family-centered, baby-friendly care.

+ Call ahead to make sure the doctor and hospital personnel are covered under your insurance plan.

+ If you have a serious medical or obstetrical problem that will require attention above and beyond the usual prenatal care, you may want to consider seeing a perinatologist.

Basics:

How long have you been practicing obstetrics? ________years
Approximately how many babies have you delivered? _________
What do you like best about your job?
How much time do you allow for each prenatal visit?
How long is the average wait in your office?
What percentage of your own patients do you deliver in a month? _____%
How can I reach you in an emergency?
_________________________________
Are you a solo or group practice? solo /group
If solo, who covers for you when you're not available?
________________
If group, how often will I see other doctors?____________
Prenatal care:

What tests do you routinely perform during a pregnancy? __________________________________
What if I have a concern about a specific test? ___________________________________
How much experience do you have with high-risk pregnancies? ______________________________
If I become high-risk, what changes might I expect in my prenatal care? ______________________________
What kind of childbirth classes do you recommend taking? ______________________________
Labor and Delivery:

Do you or one of your partners meet me at the hospital when I'm in labor? yes/no
At what point in my labor do you come to the hospital and who will be in charge of my care until then?
______________________________
What do you suggest to help me deal with labor pain?
_______________________________
What procedures do you routinely perform at the hospital
(i.e. enemas, continuous fetal monitoring, IVs, episiotomies, etc.)?_________________________________
What if I don't want them? _______________________
Will you help me develop a birth plan? ____________________________________
(For family physicians) If I have complications or need a cesarean section, who is your back-up obstetrician?
_________________________________
(For obstetricians) How often do you perform c-sections? What is the frequency of this procedure for your group as a whole? _______________________________
Do you perform VBACs (******l births after cesareans)? yes/no
What is your rate of success with this procedure? ______________________________
Do you have an anesthesiologist and an obstetrician in the hospital around the clock should I need an emergency c-section? yes/no
How often do you perform forceps or vacuum-assisted deliveries? _______________________________
How often do you perform episiotomies? _______________________________
Postpartum:

Will I be separated from my baby after birth? yes/no
If so, when and for how long? ________________________
Can my baby room-in with me if I choose this option?
yes/no
Do you or someone on staff assist with breastfeeding questions or problems? ____________________________________
Questions to Ask Yourself:

Did you feel comfortable with the doctor? yes/no ________________________________________
If your partner went with you to the interview, did the doctor make an effort to include him or her as well?yes/no
Is the office conveniently located? yes/no ______________________________________
How long were you kept waiting? ______mins.
How helpful were the nurses and support staff at the office?