How should I go about choosing an obstetrician?
Pregnancy is an exciting and stressful time. Choosing an obstetrician, also called an OB/GYN, is one of the first and most important choices you will make along this journey. To determine whether an OB/GYN is right for you, schedule an introductory appointment. During this consultation, ask plenty of questions and take note of the following:
- How difficult was it to get an appointment?
- How long did you spend waiting to be seen?
- Was the office well-run and welcoming?
- Does the doctor share your views on important issues to your care and delivery?
- Will the doctor see you at every prenatal visit, or will you be seen by a nurse practitioner?
- Does the obstetrician have experience in high-risk pregnancies and deliveries?
- Does the obstetrician use the most advanced, state-of-the-art techniques and tests?
- What hospital will you deliver at, and is it convenient and comfortable to you?
How often will I have prenatal exams?
Women enjoying healthy pregnancies typically are scheduled for prenatal exams every month between 4-28 weeks. After week 28, visits increase to biweekly through week 36, at which point they become weekly. Women who have high-risk pregnancies will likely be advised to come more frequently.
What does a prenatal exam entail?
At each visit, your weight, belly circumference, and blood pressure will be measured and recorded. Throughout the process, urine samples and blood testing will periodically be conducted, along with ultrasounds, a blood glucose test and other screenings to ensure that you and your baby is progressing and that you are healthy. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now recommend pregnant women get pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine booster shot at 27-36 weeks of pregnancy.
