Home » Health & Wellness » Preconception » Choosing the Right Doctor Before Conception

Choosing the Right Doctor Before Conception

© Lori Ramsey

If you are thinking about getting pregnant - or if you are trying to get pregnant - you really should have a check up with your doctor. If you don’t already have a doctor, then the wonderful task of deciding on which one to see is ahead of you. I really recommend to choose a doctor you like before you get pregnant - because pregnancy is a long 9 months and then some and you want someone with whom you like.

First thing you need to consider when choosing your doctor is your health insurance. Are there any limitations on which doctor you can have? Also, when choosing your doctor - be aware that they will practice in certain hospitals. So you will need to choose your hospital too - and make sure that the doctor of your choice will deliver there.

Try to schedule an interview with the doctor(s) you are considering. Trust me here, you will want someone whom you like, whom you trust and who will agree with your philosophy. I changed doctors once with my last pregnancy - and the doctor I ended up with at 27 weeks of pregnancy was wonderful - I just wish I had started out with him before I got pregnant.

It’s so important to think ahead - even before you are pregnant - to what kind of birth experience you wish to have. Not all doctors will agree with you - so it’s important to find one who will work with you on this journey to parenthood. Sit down with your partner and discuss the birth experience you wish to have. Write down your expectations and limitations and take these with you to your doctor - to make sure that they will work with you. Find out their philosophy with different scenarios - such as preterm labor, emergency cesarean - these things can happen and you will want to be in the best possible hands if it does. Find out if they have partners who will be on call for them - and this is very important - find out if their partners have the same philosophy and will agree to your wishes.

Given the importance of good health while pregnant - be sure to have a thorough check-up before you get pregnant. This is a good way to “check” out the doctor that you want to deliver your baby.

Finally, consider where they are located - i.e. are they in the same town as you? Do you have to travel to them? I was seeing a doctor 75 miles from where I lived and I was getting very nervous as my pregnancy progressed about having to travel so far. I switched to one who was only 45 miles away and was so glad I did when preterm labor hit.

The copyright of the article Choosing the Right Doctor Before Conception in Preconception is owned by . Permission to republish Choosing the Right Doctor Before Conception in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.