When interviewing prospective obstetricians and/or midwives to find one with whom you feel comfortable, use the following checklist to keep track of their credentials and information, as well as the questions you ask and their responses.
What type of practice is it (solo/group)? sologroup
Is the office convenient? yesno
What are the hours?
__________________
__________________
__________________
Are they flexible in accommodating your schedule?
yesno
Is the office staff and nurses friendly, courteous and helpful?
yesno
Is the waiting area child-friendly?
yesno
Caregivers
How long have you been in practice?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
What additional training have you taken?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
If solo practitioner, who will cover for you when you are not available?
_____________________________________
Phone #
_____________________________________
If a group practice, how often will I see the other doctors, nurse practitioners or nurse-midwives?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
How available are you to answer my questions?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
When is the best time to reach you?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
How do I reach you if I need to?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Phone #
_____________________________________
Which hospitals and birthing centers are you affiliated with? Can I choose?yesno
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Do you have an OB appointment checklist for me to follow?
yesno
Prenatal Care
What tests do you routinely perform during prenancy?
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_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
If I become a high-risk pregnancy, what changes might I expect in my prenatal care?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Do you consider vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC)?
yesno
If no, why?
___________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Do you recommend childbirth classes?
yesno
Which ones?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
How do you feel about cord blood banking?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Will you support me if I choose to save my baby's cord blood?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Labor and Delivery
At what point in my labor will you or one of your partners meet me at the hospital or birthing center?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
What routine procedures do you perform at the hospital or birthing center?
Enemas
Do I have a choice of having these procedures done or not?
yesno
What do you suggest to help me manage pain during labor?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Will you help me develop a birth plan if I choose to have one?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
How many babies do you deliver on a average month?
_____________________________________
Who is your back-up obstetrician?
_____________________________________
Can you give me some examples of when you might manage my care jointly with the backup obstetrician or transfer me to one full time?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
If I need a cesarean, will you stay with me during the procedure?
_____________________________________
Did you feel comfortable with doctor or midwife?
yesno
Do you feel you can ask a question without feeling embarrassed?
yesno
Do you think you would feel comfortable calling the doctor or midwife in the middle of the night?
yesno
Did they take the time to talk to you?
yesno
Did you feel like they were rushing you through the appointment?
yesno
Did they answer your questions completely?
yesno
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