Finding the Right Obstetrician
Posted on: 25 March 2020
Everyone wants the best possible care when they are having a baby. This is a wonderful time for the family, and they want to ensure that all their medical needs all well looked after. Obstetricians are doctors who specialise in providing medical care in pregnancy till the baby is born. It is entirely up to the patient whether they want to remain in the public health system and see an obstetrician assigned to them, or they can decide to see a private obstetrician.
Private obstetricians operate outside the public medical system and consult with patients throughout their pregnancy. These specialist doctors offer the best treatment plan should any complications arise, and provide answers to all questions that new mothers have.
As with finding any healthcare provider, it is important to take several points into consideration before choosing an obstetrician:
- Decide which services you need- Decide whether you need the obstetrician to be available at every appointment. For instance, those with high-risk pregnancies may require this service. However, others with normal low-risk pregnancies may be comfortable with seeing their obstetrician in a group setting or not that often. Always ask the obstetrician what type of appointments/services they offer so as to avoid confusion later on.
- Carry out research- Take time to ask other women what their experience has been. They may be able to recommend obstetricians who they have a good experience with. One can also ask their GP for recommendations, GPs know which obstetricians will be best for their patient.
- Make sure the obstetrician is friendly and approachable- After choosing an obstetrician, one should book an initial appointment and decide whether they feel comfortable. One should be confident in their specialist's judgment and advice an feel comfortable in talking about issues in relation to their body. Pregnancy is different for every woman, and hence each woman go through their own unique body changes. These can be concerning, so it is important to have an obstetrician who one can easily communicate these queries to.
- Understand the costs- Always ensure that all costs are clearly communicated upfront so that there is no confusion once the bill arrives. It is also important to check which services are covered by private insurance and which services aren't so that there are no nasty surprises about out of pocket fees.
Above all, it is important to have a smooth experience both during pregnancy and birth, so one should carry out proper research before choosing an obstetrician.
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