How to choose a prenatal care provider

Before you start picking out names and knitting booties for your soon-to-be-here baby, you’ve got an important job to do: Choosing a provider for prenatal care.

“Proper prenatal care sets you up for a good childbirth experience,” says Dr. Abby Dennis, M.D., an obstetrician in Baltimore, Maryland. “That’s why it’s really important to find a provider you can trust, who can offer safe, evidence-based care for you and your baby.”

Proper prenatal care can reduce the risk of pregnancy complications for both mother and child, leading to lower rates of preterm birth and cesarean section and higher birth weight. Mom’s prenatal care can even make for a healthier child in years to come. A 2017 study showed that the children of mothers who received prenatal care had more well-child visits with their doctor and were more likely to receive all the vaccines they needed. Researchers note that women who get comfortable with regular care during pregnancy tend to stay connected with ongoing healthcare after their child’s birth.

It’s important to start your search for prenatal care soon—and begin your visits early—Dr. Dennis advises. Here are some simple steps to get you started.

Step 1: Check your insurance

It’s important to find out which providers—and which hospitals—are part of your health insurance plan. Use the Find a Doctor tool to the right to find a provider near you.

Step 2: Find the right hospital

Check to be sure that the provider you have chosen can deliver you at your preferred hospital, as not all providers have privileges at all hospitals. “Picking a hospital is really important,” says Dr. Dennis, noting that, first and foremost, you’ll need a convenient location you can easily access when you’re in labor.

You’ll want to ask about how are the labor and delivery rooms set up. Does the hospital offer childbirth classes? Do they offer breastfeeding help and other forms of support? Be sure to check out the hospital’s website and, if possible, arrange a tour before making your decision. Finally, check that the hospital has an advance care nursery or NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) just in case there’s a problem. 

Step 3: Consider your health history

Do you have any chronic health conditions, like diabetes or high blood pressure? Have you had previous problem pregnancies? Are you older than 35? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, you may need a higher level of care during your pregnancy, notes Dr. Dennis.

If you’re young and healthy, you’ll likely have more options. There are three main categories of prenatal care providers:

·       Obstetricians (OBs): Medical doctors who specialize in pregnancy and childbirth. If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you’ll definitely want to consider an OB. In some cases, you may be referred to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist.

·       Certified nurse-midwives: Advanced-practice nurses who specialize in routine prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum care for women with no serious health problems. They often work in a practice alongside obstetricians, so if any complications pop up, they’ll refer you to a doc.

·       Family practitioners: Medical doctors who care for patients of all ages rather than specializing in one area. They may have lots of experience delivering babies, but if anything out of the ordinary happens, they will likely connect you with an OB doctor.

Step 4: Zoom in on the possibilities

Now comes (arguably) the most critical component to finding proper prenatal care: Doing your homework to find the best provider fit.

Scope out practice websites or call provider offices to see if the staff can answer your questions or arrange a consultation with the provider. An even better interviewing tactic, according to Dr. Dennis? “Ask other mothers about their experience. That can be the best way to get a sense of the provider you’re considering. A lot of patients at my practice come to us by word of mouth.”

Add these to your list of detective questions when searching for the right provider:

·       At which hospitals do they have privileges? Where can they deliver?

·       How do they handle pain management?

·       What is their rate of delivery by caesarian section or other interventions?

·       Do they practice solo or as part of a group—and who will deliver your baby if they’re off duty?

·       Who can you call if you have questions after hours?

The early days of your pregnancy can be exciting and overwhelm. Following these steps can help you on your journey to motherhood. These questions and the answers you come up with will ensure you match with a prenatal care provider that’s right for you.