PREGNANCY-BIRTH Messages for July, 1999: Re: FINDING A DOCTOR

Re: FINDING A DOCTOR

From:

anonymous@obgyn.net

Mon, 26 Jul 1999 22:17:32 -0500 (CDT)

This is how I approached the problem. First, I called up all the local hospitals and either went to see them right away or signed up for their tours. Many hospitals will not let you go onto the maternity ward unless you are with a tour for security reasons. You may feel a little stupid on the tour because everyone there will be 7-9 months pregnant but don't let it bother you. This research is important. Ask lots of questions about hospital policies. See how mothers are treated, look at how full the nursery is (I like to see an empty one that means that the hospital encourages the babies to be with their mothers), find out about the level of special care nursery (only a level III can handle really premature babies if you are at high risk for any reason), ask about primary c-section rates (the lower the better around 10% is great if you can find it), ratio of nurses to mom's in labour, does the hospital let you labour, deliver and stay in the same room or labour & deliver in the birthing suite then move you out to the ward, how many people can be present at delivery (I wanted both my husband and a dear friend - one hospital would only let my husband be there), what are their policies on monitoring & IV's - just some questions to get you started there are lots more you can ask. I did notice a big difference between hospitals, some moved you in & out like a factory assembly line others were more personal. Some even had birthing centres. Also talk to other mother's about where they delivered.

I decided on the hospital I liked I started to find a doctor who delivered at that hospital. I got the names by talking to other mothers. Nurses can be a great source of info but some hold to the hospital line of not refering one doctor over another. See if you can get some recommendations/information from them. Most doctors will do a new patient interview to discuss their way of practicing. The problem is that some will charge for this service. Keep interviewing until you find one your happy with. The other thing to consider is the reputation of all the doctors in the practice since you may not get your own when the time comes unless you deliver during business hours. Are all the doctors similar in philosophy as your doctor (often they are but not always). Depending on your expected pregnancy risk you can choose between midwifes, family doctors or OB/GYNs. Family doctors & midwifes have a general reputation for being less interventionist but that can vary with the doctor (I know some OB/Gyns who are not very interventionist). I guess you might have noticed that this was a lot of work (especially when you include the time I spent reading in order to develop all my questions) but it was worth it as I had a very good birth experience.

You also have to go through a similar interview procedure when 8-9 months pregnant to choose a pediatrician (unless of course you used a family doctor for delivery).

In answer to your second question YES!!! there is stuff you can and should do before trying to concieve. Go to your regular doctor for a preconception health check-up. As it is best if any health problems are resolved before pregnancy. Your doctor should run blood tests (ie. for rubella etc.). If you are not immune to rubella (and perhaps chicken pox - I'm not sure on this one) you should be vacinated. Also begin taking a multivitmin containing folic acid (ideally 3 months or more before you conceive) to reduce the risk of nural tube defects. Stop smoking, drinking alcohol, taking drugs (if you are on any prescription drugs discuss with your doctor that you are trying to conceive), exercise and eat healthy. Your husband also should have a healthy lifestyle and avoid hot tubs.

Hope this helps, sorry it is so long. Nancy

At Mon, 26 Jul 1999, FAITH wrote: >
>I'M 37 YEARS OLD---MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE STARTED TRYING TO CONCEIVE. I
>WOULD LIKE TO FIND A DOCTOR, HOSPITAL AND PREGNANCY PROGRAM. I FEEL
>VERY LOST---I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT TO ASK OR WHO TO SPEAK WITH. HOW
>DO I RESEARCH THIS?
>
>AND SECOND TOPIC....
>
>ARE THERE SOME TESTS I COULD/SHOULD TAKE BEFORE I GET PREGNANT TO GIVE
>US A BETTER HEAD START?
>
>HELP!!!
>THANK YOU VERY MUCH

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