General Tips and Guidance to Help you Choose an Obstetrician
When you are expectant or planning to have a baby, one of the most important people you will need in your life is an obstetrician, otherwise referred to as a gynecologist. It is important to realize every pregnancy is different, and so is every woman. While there are people who get pregnant quickly, others have to go through a series of fertility checkups and clinics to get pregnant finally. By the same token, one pregnancy can be straightforward, while the next one may require close monitoring and supervision by a qualified and competent obstetrician. So, how do you choose your obstetrician, mainly because they will be seeing you through several months until you hold your bundle of joy? You need to be very comfortable with your obstetrician, so in no particular order, here are some of the top considerations/tips to help you choose the best.
Most people will always give the gender of the gynecologist the topmost priority when choosing a doctor to see them through fertility and pregnancy. Some people are comfortable with male gynecologists, and others will swear by their female counterparts. Remember, this is someone you will be undressing in front of them and sharing very intimate/private conversations with. This is someone who will be examining your private parts quite often. What gender are you comfortable with? The choice is entirely up to you to make. The reputation of the obstetrician you are considering is the other consideration you ought to make. Go through the credentials of the doctor and get to understand the hospitals the doctor has been to. Take the time to also go through their educational degrees and their years of experience.
The availability of the fertility doctor that you are considering is yet another consideration you have to make. Just how easy will it be to get an appointment with your doctor in question? Sadly, most gynecologists have hectic schedules and will often have very long waiting periods to have a meeting with them. This may as well mean the doctor is highly reputable and sought-after by many people. However, at the very least, your doctor should be available on call/SMS when you need to make a non-emergency inquiry. The next consideration is the location of the doctor. You have to figure out the logistics of reaching your obstetrician i.e., where they practice or in the hospital, they are affiliated with. Does the doctor have a clinic where you can have your monthly appointments, or you will need to travel to a long distance to meet them?
If the doctor has a clinic at a place near you, do they have the necessary facilities and resources to help conduct the many different tests and investigations required throughout pregnancy? Is there a pharmacy nearby, or will you need to travel another long distance to find medication? How long will the obstetrician take to reach the clinic should there be an emergency? All of these are important considerations. Tip: the nearer, the better for you. Last but not least, you have to find a doctor that is fluent in a language in which you understand. Effective communication is key, especially with the many questions that are likely to arise during the nine months or more of pregnancy.