Doctor, OB GYN, Caregiver - Choosing the Right Specialist For You
A doctor that is also an obstetrician and gynecologist or OB GYN is a health professional that works exclusively with women and their reproductive health. Often one doctor performs both of these specialties since they are often interrelated.
An obstetrician practices prenatal care,
overseeing the health of the expected mother and her unborn baby as well as delivering the baby. A doctor of OB GYN will continue to see the new mother post childbirth for the first few months as well. He is trained to diagnosis and treat medical problems associated with the reproductive health of women.
If you're looking for a doctor, your starting place is usually with friends or family members who can give you the recommendation of a doctor they use and like. Once you have a few recommendations you can start by asking the receptionist a few questions before you even interview the doctor.
If you have insurance coverage you will need to find out if your potential doctor accepts your insurance. And if they do, what hospital do they have privileges at? Do those hospitals accept your insurance?
Other questions include where are they located? You will need to decide if the location is convenient for you or not. If you rely on public transportation, can you get there easily? If the doctor isn't available when you call with a question or concern is there an on call nurse or doctor to help you? How long does it take for someone to return your call? What hours are they open? Are those hours convenient for your work and life schedule or will you barely be able to squeeze in around your other life commitments such as school or work?
If you're satisfied with your pre screening interview, schedule a visit with the doctor to interview them. You should feel comfortable with any potential OB GYN and you should feel they are listening to your concerns and answering your questions. Do you feel rushed in your appointments or does your doctor take enough time to answer your questions and explain anything you don't understand?
It may seem like an involved process to select your OB GYN but in the end the work you put into selecting your doctor will be worth the effort involved. Your specialist is someone you will likely be seeing for a long time and who you pick now can end up providing your care for a long time down the road.
