Picking an Ob/ Gyn

Hoping you all can help me out. After a long search I finally found two all- female practices in NJ ( Essex County) where I live.

Does anyone know what the questions are to ask b/f you choose a Ob/Gyn? I think someone posted an article about this a while back but I can't find it.

Some questions I already asked?

Which hosputals they are affiliated with? Both practices are affiliated with the hospital where I would like to deliver if and when I Dh and I decide to start having children.

ETA: Anyway, I work in Marketing and it seems that I have adopted the research aspect into my own life (LOL) so I tend to research everything , I've attached what I've found below

Re: Picking an Ob/ Gyn

I actually found an article about 'Choosing an Ob/Gyn' on babycenter.com if anyone is interested.

http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/1582.html

Re: Picking an Ob/ Gyn

Here's the article:

Find out how to choose a good ob-gyn, what to do if you don't like the doctor you've chosen, and more.

When should I start looking for my ob-gyn?
As soon as you realize you're pregnant, and ideally, even before you start trying to conceive. In fact, it's a good idea to have a preconception exam before you become pregnant.

If you've been seeing a gynecologist for your yearly Pap smear, you may already have an obstetrician. Many gynecologists also deliver babies — hence the designation ob-gyn. If you're happy with your gynecologist but she's not currently practicing obstetrics (delivering babies), ask her to recommend another doctor or midwife, perhaps a member of her practice.

If you don't come up with any good names on your own, try calling the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Washington, DC, at (202) 638-5577 to get names of board-certified ob-gyns in your area or visit their Web site to find a physician in your zip code.

What criteria should I use to choose my ob-gyn?
Visit several ob-gyns and interview them before making a final decision. Ask each one about her policies and make sure you have similar views on labor and delivery. For example, if you know you want to be medicated during labor, you don't want an ob-gyn who's going to make you feel guilty about your pain management choices. The best answer, of course, is that the ob-gyn will respect your wishes going into labor and will consult with you throughout the event.

Also ask which labor procedures — such as IVs or fetal monitoring — she routinely performs. Also ask under what circumstances she would induce labor, how often and under what circumstances would she give an episiotomy, and when she thinks a cesarean section is warranted. You can't predict what your individual case will require, but you'll get an idea of the caregiver's outlook from her responses to these questions.

Bedside manner counts too. Is the ob-gyn forthcoming with explanations and up to date in her thinking? Does she seem interested in you personally, or does she rarely look up from her charts? You want a healthcare partner, not a dictator.

For a more complete list of questions, see our Ob-Gyn Interview Sheet.

How can I find out how accessible my doctor is to answer questions or deal with emergencies?
First call the office and find out what your doctor's policy is on this. Some physicians return all calls at a certain time each day, while others reserve a special line for messages or have nurses answer questions and act as a go-between for other information. The main thing is not who answers the calls, but how quickly they're answered. You might also call the office after hours to find out how long it takes for someone to return your call.

What are the odds that one of her colleagues will deliver my baby?
Many group practices rotate on-call duty, so the likelihood of your regular ob-gyn being on call the day you go into labor will be one in however many doctors are in the practice. To minimize difficulties with another physician and increase your comfort level, make a point to meet all the partners in the practice and to communicate your needs and wishes to all of them.

If it's important for you to have your main doctor deliver your baby, you may be happier with a smaller practice. But that doesn't mean a solo doctor will definitely be there on labor day. He or she can't be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year either.

At which hospital does the ob-gyn deliver?
If possible, tour the hospital before making your ultimate decision on a practitioner so you're familiar and comfortable with its requirements. Ask about the policies on things like 24-hour rooming in with your baby and postpartum visiting hours. Many women, unfortunately, wait until the third trimester to do this, when they've already developed a relationship with their practitioner and when making a change can be a hassle. Ideally, you should be comfortable with the hospital as well as with the practitioner, and both should be within a reasonable driving distance of your home.

What other issues should I consider?

• Is the doctor's practice convenient to your home and / or work?

• Do you have any chronic illnesses, such as high blood pressure, epilepsy, or diabetes that may require special care? If so, ask the what experience she has caring for patients like you. Consider whether you should be cared for by a perinatologist (a high-risk obstetric specialist).

• What are the doctor's fees, and how are they covered by your medical insurance plan, if you have one?

• What is the doctor's attitude about breastfeeding, circumcision, pain relief, and the presence of fathers, partners, or coaches in labor?

What should I do if I'm not entirely happy with my ob-gyn?
Before you dump her and move on to someone else, talk to her about your concerns. If the problem cannot be resolved, or if your worries are not addressed, you shouldn't hesitate to change obstetricians or consider whether a midwife might be a better fit for you. Above all, you need to find a practitioner you're comfortable with, since childbirth can be as stressful as it is exciting.

Re: Picking an Ob/ Gyn

Here's the interview sheet:

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?
_________________________________
How often do you perform c-sections? What is the frequency of this procedure for your group as a whole? _______________________________
Do you perform VBACs (vaginal 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?
__________________________________