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Week 2

Choosing a doctor

Have you thought about who you want to do your pregnancy care? It can be a tough choice as there are so many physicians out there. Having a doctor that you are comfortable with and can communicate with is important since you will see them approximately 15 times in the next 9 months. Your visits will start out monthly. As you approach 7 months, your doctor will probably request to see you bi-weekly and as you approach your last month of pregnancy, you will probably see him weekly. With so many choices, how does one choose? Man or female? Older or youger? Conservative or more traditional? Where do you start?

A great starting point is to talk to friends and family. Find out who they go to and why they like him/her. Find out where they deliver (doctors can't deliver at all hospitals). The hospital may be able to refer you to someone as well. Talk to your general practice doctor and see who they recommend. Lastly, check with your insurance to make sure that your doctor of choice is covered by the coverage you have.

What are all the different titles?
There are so many different choices based on your own preferences and pregnancy needs and concerns.
*Obstetrician (OB)-an OB is a doctor who specializes in pregnancy and delivering babies. An OB/GYN (obstetrics and gynecology) specializes in all women's needs.

*Perinatologists-a doctor who specializes in high risk pregnancies. If you've had trouble getting pregnant or if you've had a history of miscarraiges or preterm labor, you may need to see a high-risk doctor.

*Family Practitioner-a doctor who specializes in all your families needs. Some women prefer a family practice doctor as their new baby will see the same doctor that the mother sees. They see your from birth, all the way through your life. Not all family practice doctors can deliver babies so make sure that the one you choose can. They also can not do cesareans and so will probably have an OB they work with.

*Miwives-midwives are specialy trained women who specialize in womens needs, including pregnancy and delivery of the baby. Not all states allow them to deliver without a doctor present. Others can deliver in hospitals, clinics or in a home setting. They work only with low-risk, normal, healthy pregnancies.

No matter what your choice, now is the time to start thinking about it and choose a doctor