After finding out you’re pregnant, the next big task to consider is who will walk with you every step of the way. A partner, family member, or friend usually makes the list first. However, finding the right obstetrician is a significant step. Here, we offer you a few tips to help you make a decision.

Partner With Your Insurance Provider

Partnering with your insurance provider can help you avoid seeing doctors who are out of network. Some prefer to call area doctors and inquire about their network, which can lead to frustration and take much of your time.

Go straight to the source—your insurance provider—and ask for a list of doctors within their network. Some insurance companies have a portal on their website where you can plug in various criteria and receive a list of in-network doctors. Visiting their website and printing out a list can save you a lot of hassle and help you identify your options.

Consider Your Communication Style

Your communication style and the obstetrician’s ability to mesh with it will make or break your experience during visits and the pregnancy. If you prefer direct and honest communication and they are casual and vague, you will feel uncomfortable and end up leaving the appointment more confused.

Choose someone who speaks a language you understand, and don’t be afraid to find a new provider the second things feel off. You hire the provider, not the other way around.

How Large Is the Practice?

The size of the medical practice you expect to work with will directly impact your level of care. When a practice is large, and several doctors work out of that location, you may or may not see your specific obstetrician every time you have an appointment. Or worse, the doctor who delivers your baby may just be filling in.

If you’re left with no choice but to use a large practice or prefer the doctors at a larger practice, that’s okay. However, if you know this will not work for you, consider this critical factor when choosing the right obstetrician for your pregnancy.

Ask for Feedback from Family and Friends

Take your list from the insurance provider to your family and friends and ask them if they have any personal testimonies or experiences with those obstetricians. Ask about the office environment, nurses, clinic staff, and delivery experiences—leave no stone unturned.

Remember, you will see this individual several times a month for nine or more months, and they will deliver your baby. Take note of the common themes you discover and go with your gut.

How Far Are You Willing To Travel?

As mentioned above, you will visit your obstetrician frequently throughout your pregnancy. Are you willing to drive an hour or more one way to an appointment? Or would you prefer to cut across town in under 20 minutes? Consider these factors when choosing the right obstetrician for your pregnancy so you can get to and from their clinic in a timely fashion.

Cascade Health Care specializes in equipping medical professionals and obstetricians with industry-leading devices, instruments, and tools. We feature a wide range of medical dopplers that an obstetrician may use during your visit. Partner with us to learn about our devices and the professionals we serve.