This may be the most important decision that you will make after deciding to add to your family. The doctor that you choose will be the one that you put the possibility of your future child in. Ask yourself this, what kind of doctor do you want to have? One that will answer your questions so you understand, take your calls, no matter the reason, tell you what is going on, and is ready and willing to take the steps needed to help you achieve pregnancy. Or a doctor that doesn't really answer your questions, has the nurse take and answer your calls, and then dances around what is going on by telling you to keep trying and stop worrying.

Yeah, I would take the first one too! So how do you find a great doctor? Easy! Interview them! As soon as you and your partner decide that you would like to add to your family, start interviewing. You and your spouse need to come up with a list of questions that are important to both of you. Below you will find an example list of questions to ask.

You already have a doctor? Great!! Now ask yourself, are you satisfied with your doctor? Do you feel that your doctor is doing everything possible to assist you? Can you reach your doctor anytime?? If one of your employees acted and treated you the same way your doctor does, would you give them a raise or fire them? If you really, and I mean really, would give him a raise, then you have the best doctor you could possibly find. If, on the other hand, you would rather fire him, THEN DO IT!! Walk into his office and tell the staff that you need to see your doctor. Then tell him why you are unhappy. If your doctor is willing to do more for you, then give him another chance. If he tries to brush you off, tell him he is fired and you want all of your medical records NOW!! Do not leave the office without them in your hands, or without them having been transferred to your new doctor.

That was step one of how to choose a doctor. Step two is getting references from friends, family, and co-workers for an OB/GYN (or RE). Take five doctors that were given to you the most. Call their offices and let them know that you are interviewing for a new doctor. All good doctors are more then willing to sit down with prospective patients. Try to get as many lined up in one day as possible, and if you need to interview on more then one day, don't let it be more then two days apart. Make a list of questions, like the ones listed below, and then make enough copies for all the interviews. Leave enough space between each question for notes. Both you and your partner need to go to the interviews. Both of you need to be comfortable with and trust your doctor. This is the person that will be bringing your baby into the world and making sure that you both are healthy.

Step three is deciding on a doctor once the interviews are over. It may be obvious to some couples which doctor is the best choice. Others may not see it as an easy choice. For those couples the best thing to do is take the top three names, write them on pieces of paper and put the papers in a hat or another container that you can't see through. Draw out a name, and that will be your new doctor. Not happy with the choice? Then that was not the doctor that you really wanted to see. If you pull out a name and are happy, then that is the doctor for you.

Once the decision has been made, call your new doctor. If you didn't need to change doctors, call your doctor anyhow! Now is the time to make your appointment. This will be a preconception appointment and you need to tell them when you call to schedule.

This procedure for finding a doctor can also be used if you and your partner feel it is time to find an RE. I wish you all good luck with finding the best doctor possible! Here is a list of general questions that you might want to ask during an interview. If you have additional questions that you feel should be added to the list, email me.

List of interview questions

1. What is your availability? If I experience any problems or have a serious concern, can I get a hold of you?

2. What hospital are you affiliated with/work at?

3. How do you feel about charting cycles?

4. What do you think/recommend when a patient asks about herbal/vitamin remedies?

5. What is your general approach towards possible fertility problems?

6. How many births/pregnancies have you been the primary doctor with?

7. What are your feelings about referring patients to specialists? How often have you referred patients?

8. If I or my spouse don't understand your explanation for a question we asked, or a procedure that you are explaining, will you continue to explain and answer our questions until we do understand?

9. If I call you with a question, who will call me back and answer it for me? You or a member of your staff?

10. Who will take over for you when you leave for vacation? (This question does two things. First it lets the doctor know that you realize he has a life outside the office, and second it lets you know who he trusts with his patients.)

11. What percentage of deliveries that you have done have been c-sections? What prompts you to perform a c-section?

12. Will you actually be the doctor that delivers our baby?

13. How many ultrasounds will you do in the course of a normal pregnancy? How many if you don't think it is normal?

14. Under what circumstances would you induce labor?

15. If my water breaks and labor does not come on by itself, will I be allowed to walk around to try to get it started? (This may be more of a question for the hospital, but your doctor should be able to answer it.)

16. How do you feel about/what do you require to be done as far as enemas/labor position/delivery position/routine episiotomies/anything else that you feel strongly about when it comes to pregnancy, labor, and delivery?

17. Will I be allowed to have medications during labor and delivery no matter when I ask for them, or will I be told that 'natural' is best?

All information contained in this web site is for informational purposes only.
Do not consider the information herein to be of a diagnostic nature.
Always consult your health care professional if you have any health concerns.