Tips for Changing Doctors Mid-Pregnancy

Changing doctors in mid pregnancy is a decision that most moms do not consider without a very good reason. It may be you are moving and it just would not be at all possible to continue with your current doctor. It may be that you don't feel your doctor is adequately addressing your concerns. Sometimes the decision is not based on a problem with the doctor, but a dislike of the hospital facility he has admitting privileges for. Whatever the reason you have decided to drop your doctor you need a new doctor.

The first thing that you will need to do is obtain copies of your medical records pertaining to this pregnancy. If you have already chosen a new doctor you may have your records forwarded to that office. If you do not have an immediate doctor lined up you should request a personal copy of your records.

Whatever the reason for the change in doctors mid - pregnancy to find a new doctor you are going to need to do a lot of the original leg work all over again. If you are new to an area it may be a good idea to start by taking a tour of the available hospital facilities. Even if you are not new, if you have more than one available hospital in your area now would be a good time to check out the ones you have not seen. Be sure to request a tour of the maternity ward. Is the equipment and are the facilities up to date and clean? Meet the staff in the nursery and maternity ward. Do they seem warm and knowledgeable?

After your comparisons of the hospital facilities you can phone your insurance provider for assistance. Ask them to provide you with a list of doctors that are accepting new patients. Be sure to specify which medical facility you would like to use, and have them confine the search to doctors with admitting privileges to the hospital you liked the best. If you are not new to the area you can also talk with friends and co workers who have children, or may be expecting, about their obstetrician. Once you have a list you can begin to narrow them down to a satisfactory choice.

Start by calling the doctor's offices. Make notes as you go through your list. Was the receptionist you spoke with courteous and knowledgeable? Did you get the impression the main concern expressed was getting you back under a doctors care, or do they seem more interested with why you are looking for a new doctor mid-term? Ask the receptionist if they could fit you in for a brief initial consultation. Be honest tell them you are at a stage in your pregnancy that it is very important to be under a doctors care, and you are worried about committing to a doctor sight unseen. Make appropriate appointments with at least two different offices.

Make a list to bring to your initial consultations. If there were issues that specifically concerned you about your prior doctor discreetly include these in your questioning. For example we all use the internet. If your old doctor did not instill your confidence in him because he seemed out of touch and out of date be sure to include a few questions regarding new birthing methods, or technology that is predominately discussed on reputable medical sites. If he seems unfamiliar you may want to move on to the next doctor on the list.

There are many qualified ObGyn doctors out there, some may be a little leery of taking on a patient transferring mid-pregnancy, but have no fear you will find the right one. You will know when you have found the doctor you click with.

Okay ladies, get busy you have babies to deliver!