5. Do I always see a physician at my visits?
Many groups have enlisted the aid of nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, and midwives to help make their practice more efficient. These professionals are good sources of information and are capable of doing routine prenatal visits. In some practices, the midwives may be delivering babies as well. This information is nice to know in advance.

Research Tips

When you want the real scoop, don't be afraid to do some detective work. First, decide on the hospital where you want to deliver your baby. Next, do some networking. If you like your present OB/GYN, ask around to see what others' birth experiences have been like with him or her. If the feedback is good, you can feel pretty comfortable staying where you are. If not, you may want to follow some of the tips listed below.

You can try calling the hospital's doctor referral center and make an initial list of doctors based on their office location and board certification status. Using your list, try talking to friends and neighbors. Often, a few names will come up more than once. Alternatively, if you have a doctor who you trust in another field (pediatrician, internist, etc.), try asking them for suggestions. Ask who delivered their children!

Another way to narrow your list down is to call the labor and delivery unit at the hospital where you want to deliver. Ask to speak with one of the nurses. Tell the nurse you speak with that you are new to the area and ask them to help you pick an obstetrician. The nurse may be reluctant to give a name, especially if there is a hospital policy against giving referrals. You can try mentioning a few names of the groups you are considering. See if the nurse is willing to help you narrow down your choices. If the nurse is a woman, you may ask who she uses for herself. If you strike out, you may want to call another time. In any event, it is worth a try.

Armed with information, you can now call the doctor of your choice and make an appointment. It goes without saying that you should feel comfortable on a personal basis with whomever you select. Don't settle for less than you deserve!

Should I Wait Until I Am Pregnant to Make My Choice?

You probably should not. You can make a pre-pregnancy consultation with a doctor to see what you think. Again, you should be deciding whether this person is someone with whom you feel comfortable. During this visit, you should cover some of the issues listed above. If you have specific issues to discuss based on your situation, this is an excellent time to do so.

About the author: Craig L. Bissinger, MD is a board certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist practicing in Parsippany, NJ. Dr. Bissinger is vice-chairman of the Department of OB/GYN at Morristown Memorial Hospital where is is also actively involved in teaching medical students and residents. Dr. Bissinger is a frequent speaker on a host of women's health topics and a member of the Eli Lilly Speakers Bureau.