Obstetricians (OBs) are professionally trained in the areas of female reproductive health, pregnancy, labour, and postpartum care. They have completed years of specialized study in obstetrics and gynaecology. OBs have the expertise to diagnose and treat gynaecological disorders as well as to provide health care throughout pregnancy. OBs deal with pregnancy, labour, and birth on a daily basis, and are prepared to deal with both routine and complicated births.

Why Choose an Obstetrician?

Obstetricians have considerable expertise, knowledge and training in pregnancy and birth; they can often deal with any complications that may arise. They are able to manage assisted or unassisted births as well as surgical births (caesarean). OBs typically work out of a hospital setting. Obstetricians tend to work in a group, which means that you may not see the same doctor at each visit. Your birth may be attended by a member of your OB’s team who you didn’t meet during you prenatal visits.

Questions to Ask When Interviewing an Obstetrician:

Choose a health care provider who makes you feel comfortable and who listens to you. Below is a list of questions you can consider asking when first meeting an obstetrician to talk about your prenatal health care. Ask the questions that are most important to you first.

General Issues for Consideration

• Will the OB actually attend your birth? If not, who will attend your birth?
• Does the OB listen to you and take the time to explain things clearly and thoroughly?
• Are you comfortable with the gender and age of the OB?
• Does the OB make your partner feel comfortable, too?
• Is the office staff pleasant and respectful?
• Is the location of the office convenient? Do the hours fit your schedule?
• What hospital is the OB affiliated with? Is its location convenient?

Prenatal Care

• What is the scheduled length of your appointments?
• If you share a practice, what percentage of your patients do you deliver yourself? (Ask to meet all the other OBs who cover for your obstetrician, and review your birth plan with them.)
• Do you have evening or Saturday hours?
• How are calls and emergencies handled after hours?

Labour & Birth

• Do you recommend, or prohibit, eating and drinking during labour?
• When would you do an episiotomy and what is your episiotomy rate?
• What percentage of labours in your practice are induced?
• Do the nurses at the hospital support your philosophy?
• What methods of pain relief do you recommend?
• What is your caesarean rate and what is the caesarean rate at your facility? Can my partner be present if there is a caesarean?
• What is your usual recommendation if pregnancy goes beyond 42 weeks?
• Do you require any routines in labour: fetal monitoring, preps, pitocin, IVs, bed rest?
• How many other people can I have with me during labour and delivery? If you want a doula to attend to your birth it is important to know if she will be allowed in the delivery room.
• How much time will you spend with me when I'm in labour? Knowing in advance the realistic amount of time your OB (or whoever is on call) will be there will enable you to plan accordingly to have other supporters there for you.

Postpartum

• What are the baby protocols?
• Is there any mandatory separation following birth?
• Can I breastfeed immediately, even if I have a caesarean?
• Do you have a board certified lactation consultant on staff?