The Ultimate Guide To Choosing Your Obstetrician
Choosing an obstetrician can be a daunting task. You want to find one that you feel comfortable with and who will support your decisions during your pregnancy. But how do you choose the right obstetrician for you? Here is a guide to help make the process easier.
In this guide, we'll cover:
What is an obstetrician
Why it's important to choose an obstetrician
How to find the right obstetrician for you
What questions to ask when choosing an obstetrician
How to make the most of your relationship with your obstetrician
We hope this guide will help you in choosing an obstetrician that is right for you and your pregnancy.
1. What is an Obstetrician?
An obstetrician is a medical doctor who provides care for both the mother and the baby during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. They are also trained to deal with any complications that may arise during these times.
Some obstetricians also have training in gynaecology, which is the medical care of women and girls, including the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the reproductive system. This means they are also able to provide care for women who are not pregnant, but who may be experiencing problems with their menstrual cycle, contraception, or fertility.
Obstetricians typically work in hospitals, but some may also have their own private practices.
In Australia, obstetricians must be registered with the Medical Board of Australia.
Obstetricians must have completed an accredited medical degree, followed by specialist training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. This typically takes a minimum of eight years.
Obstetricians must also keep up to date with the latest medical research and developments, as well as completing regular continuing professional development (CPD) activities.
2. Why it's important to choose the right Obstetrician
It's important to choose an obstetrician that you feel comfortable with, as they will be providing care for you during a very special and personal time in your life.
Your obstetrician will be with you through every step of your pregnancy, from the initial consultation to the delivery of your baby. They will also be on hand to offer advice and support in the event of any complications.
Your obstetrician will also be responsible for providing care for your baby after birth. This includes monitoring the baby's health and development, as well as providing advice on feeding, sleeping, and general care.
Your obstetrician should be someone that you feel you can trust and who will support your decisions during your pregnancy.
It's also important to choose an obstetrician that is right for you and your pregnancy. You may want to consider obstetricians who have experience in high-risk pregnancies, or those who have a particular interest in a certain area of obstetrics.
3. How to find the right Obstetrician for you
There are a few different ways to find an obstetrician. You can ask your family and friends for recommendations, or you can search online directories or websites.
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) also has a searchable database of obstetricians. This database includes information on each obstetrician's experience, areas of interest, and language skills.
When choosing an obstetrician, you should consider the following:
Experience - choose an obstetrician with plenty of experience, especially if you are pregnant with a high-risk pregnancy.
Location - obstetricians typically work in hospitals, but some may also have their own private practices. It's important to choose an obstetrician who is close to where you live or work.
Availability - obstetricians are usually booked out well in advance, so make sure you choose one who is available when you need them.
Special interests - some obstetricians have a particular interest in a certain area of obstetrics, such as high-risk pregnancies or twins. It's important to find an obstetrician who shares your interests and who you feel comfortable with.
Language skills - obstetricians must be registered with the Medical Board of Australia, which means they must meet strict language requirements. Make sure you choose an obstetrician who can communicate with you effectively in your language.
4. Questions to ask when choosing your Obstetrician
Once you've found a few obstetricians that you're interested in, you can book an appointment for a consultation.
At your consultation, you'll have the opportunity to meet with the obstetrician and ask any questions that you may have about the obstetrician's qualifications, experience, and how they operate.
This is also a good time to get a feel for the obstetrician's personality and whether you think they would be a good fit for you. You want to make sure you are comfortable with them. You should feel like you can ask them anything and that they will be respectful of your decisions.
After your consultation, you can decide whether or not to proceed with that obstetrician.
Some questions you may want to ask include:
How long have you been practising obstetrics?
What is your experience with pregnant women of my age/size/gestational age?
Do you have any experience in caring for high-risk pregnancies?
What is your policy on interventions during labour?
Do you have hospital privileges?
What are your C-section rates?
What are your induction rates?
What are your rates of perinatal mortality and morbidity?
Do you have any special interests or areas of expertise?
What is your availability?
Are you available for antenatal appointments at short notice?
How much do you charge for consultations/prenatal visits?
Do you offer a sliding scale for fees based on income?
Are you a member of any professional organisations?
Do you have malpractice insurance?
What is your policy on accepting new patients?
Do you offer prenatal classes or other support services for pregnant women and their families?
What is your policy on home births?
How do you feel about natural childbirth?
What is your policy on water births?
How long do you typically wait before delivering a baby after the due date has been reached?
Do you have any particular policies or preferences about postnatal care?
You may also want to ask your obstetrician for references from other patients. This is a good way to get a first-hand idea of their bedside manner and how they treat their patients.
At your consultation, the obstetrician will also be getting to know you. They will ask about your medical history and perform a physical examination. They may also order tests, such as blood tests or ultrasounds.
Once the obstetrician has all the information they need, they will be able to develop a care plan for you. This will include advice on things like diet, exercise, and how to manage any risks during your pregnancy.
The obstetrician will also be there for you during your labour and delivery, and will provide care for you and your baby after the birth.
It is important to choose an obstetrician that you feel comfortable with, as you will be spending a lot of time with them during your pregnancy.
You should also make sure that the obstetrician is someone you can trust, and who you feel confident will provide the best possible care for you and your baby.
5. How to make the most of your relationship with your obstetrician
Your relationship with your obstetrician should be a partnership - after all, they will be providing care for both you and your baby during your pregnancy. Here are a few tips on how to make the most of your relationship with them:
Make sure you attend all of your antenatal appointments. This is an opportunity for you to ask questions and discuss any concerns you may have.
Get to know your obstetrician - ask them about their family, their interests, and their experiences in obstetrics. This will help to build a rapport with them and ensure that you feel comfortable discussing sensitive topics with them.
Communicate openly with your obstetrician. Let them know about your concerns, your fears, and anything else that is on your mind. Obstetricians are there to support you, and the more they know about your individual situation, the better they will be able to help you.
Be honest with your obstetrician. If you are not comfortable with something, or if you do not agree with their advice, let them know. It is important that you feel like you can trust and confide in your obstetrician.
Follow your obstetrician's advice. They are the experts, and they will always have your best interests at heart.
Remember that your obstetrician is a human being, and they will make mistakes. If you feel like they have made a mistake, or if you are unhappy with their care, talk to them about it. They will appreciate your feedback and it will help them to improve their practice.
The Bottom Line
Obstetricians are an important part of the healthcare team during pregnancy, and it is important to choose one that you feel comfortable with. By keeping these things in mind, you can be sure that you will find an obstetrician who is right for you and your family.
We hope this guide has been helpful in choosing your obstetrician. If you have any further questions, please feel free to speak to your GP or contact us.
Thank you for reading!
Best wishes,
Dr Greg Jenkins
