You’re preparing to meet your little one in a matter of months, and you have a lot on your mind. One of your many decisions to make is who you will select as your OB provider. If you feel a bit unsure of how to go about this process, don’t worry, we’re here for you! Below are 8 important questions to ask your potential OB provider to ensure they are the right fit for you and your prenatal care.
1. How often will I have appointments during my prenatal care?
A lot of changes will be happening to your body during your pregnancy. It’s important to know ahead of time how often you should expect to see your provider in order to check in on you and your baby’s healthy and to have your questions answered. This is also a great time to ask who can attend these appointments with you.
2. When during my pregnancy should I expect to have ultrasounds performed?
Seeing your baby will be one of the highlights of your pregnancy! While ultrasound schedules are always subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, your provider should be able to give you a general outline of when you can expect to receive an ultrasound during your pregnancy.
3. Which hospital system is your practice associated with? Where would I be delivering my baby?
Most physicians are affiliated with a specific hospital system and only have privileges to deliver at their associated hospitals. If you have a preference as to where you deliver, this will be important to ask at your first visit.
4. What will be my out of pocket cost for my prenatal care?
A provider should be able to tell you what your total cost of your prenatal care and standard delivery without complications will be based on your insurance or Medicaid coverage. This is something you can ask upfront so that you are prepared for these extra expenses.
5. Who will deliver my baby?
Most OB practices have multiple physicians or midwives within their practices. It is possible that any of these doctors or midwives could be on call when you go into labor. To feel more comfortable at the time of your delivery, you may want to consider making your prenatal appointments with different providers within the practice so that you have met them all at least once before your delivery.
6. What routine tests/vaccines do you offer?
Most OB practices have a routine schedule of various tests, screenings, and vaccinations they provide throughout your pregnancy. Examples of these include hepatitis, tetanus, and diphtheria vaccinations and a glucose tolerance test to screen for gestational diabetes. If you have questions regarding these routine schedules, bring those questions with you and be prepared to ask them at your first appointment with your OB provider.
7. Will my birth plan be followed?
You may already be thinking ahead to your labor and delivery and considering your preferences on how you would like aspects of that experience to go. It’s never too early to start talking about those preferences with your OB provider so that your labor and delivery team can accommodate them whenever possible. Your team will support your birth plan and help you make decisions that keep you and your baby safe. A healthy mom and baby is everyone’s most important job!
8. What is your top priority in caring for me and my baby?
This may seem like a very general question, but asking this will tell you a lot about the provider’s personality and beliefs as a provider. A doctor may be highly recommended and well-loved, but it is most important that you feel confident, comfortable, and respected while in his or her care. Asking this question will give you insight into your compatibility with the provider on a more personal level and help you decide if this is the provider who will give you a great prenatal care experience.
Written by a staff Registered Nurse at The Pregnancy Network.