Finding an OB/GYN

[Mystikal]

DH and I are on our third cycle TTC and we had some pretty good BD timing this month. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this is it. Either way I need to find an OB/GYN. Here is the situation. There is a hospital in my hometown, only 5-10 minutes from my house. I have never had fantastic experiences with them for anything. There are two more hospitals about 20 miles away (it's all highway so it takes about 20 minutes.) I work in the town that has the two hospitals, so no matter which hospital I choose (the one in my town or one that's 20 minutes away) there is a possibility I will have to drive 20 minutes or so to the hospital when I go into labor. I have no experience with the hospitals that are 20 miles away.
What would you suggest I do?

[KaliLily]

I just moved across the country, so I had to find a new OB/GYN. I had 2 hospitals to choose from - one about 15 miles away and the other about 30. I ended up picking the one 30 miles away since I liked their birthing center. Since I didn't want to just pick a DR "out of a hat" I knew I had to get a recommendation. I didn't know anyone here, but I was going to the Chiropractor in town regularly and had started chit chatting with the receptionist. After several conversations and recommendations from her for other things, like dentists, I mentioned I needed an OB/GYN. She gave me the name of her mom's (she's switching to him for her next annual) I recognized the name from my research of DRs affiliated with the hospital I liked, and he had been near the top of my "check out" list. I've been to see him twice and really like him!

The last time I needed a new OB/GYN, I checked out the list on the local hosiptal's website. I found two who I liked from their pictures and researched them on a doctor info website. I paid $10 per report to find out where they went to school &did their residency, plus if there were any conduct issues on file.

Both of these "doctor searches" ended up working out. I like the one I just found through recommendation, and I liked my last one who I researched on my own.

Good luck!

[Camdynlyn]

My hometown has a hospital but my mom works at one that is about 40 minutes away. MOST people go to my mom's hospital because the birthing center is better. I think go with where you feel more comfortable. I currently live about 5 minutes from the hospital I will be going to but when we move into our house, it will take at least 20 minutes.

[BTB]

Why not go on the L+D tours for all three? You've got time, and can learn what, if any, differences there are. Check to see if your insurance will cover you equally at all three hospitals. IMHO if you have the luxury of picking your hospital first, then choosing an ob from those with practicing privilieges there, you should take advantage of that. :) Some people are attached to their pre-pg ob/gyn and have been going for their paps for years only to find, once pg, the maternity floor at the hospital(s) where their doc delivers isn't what they're looking for - you can do it in reverse, and that will narrow down your list of docs to consider making that easier too. :D Fingers crossed for this cycle!

[PookiePrincess]

I would go to which ever hospital you prefer and don't worry about drive. It also helps finding a doctor you really like.

I live outside of Houston and there are two acceptable hospitals close to me, but my OB/GYN delivers at the Women's hospital downtown. It will be a drive for me when we have a baby, but I like my dr. enough for the drive. Having a doctor I really like is worth the trade off of being closer to home.

I also recommend talking to people you know to help you find a dr. A friend of mine told me about my dr. and I ended up really liking her.

[ktsb]

I don't think 20 minutes is a problem at all. My OB/GYN delivers at a hospital 35+ minutes from my house (and traffic can be an issue) but I'm not a bit worried.

Also consider the level of services at the hospitals. Do they both have an NICU? Do they both offer the same level of OB services. For instance we have a couple hospitals in town which offer just about the highest level (teritiary) of care you can get for both the Mom and the Baby.

HTH! Good luck to you.

[Sidsou]

My ob/gyn and hospital are anywhere from 50-1 1/2hours away depending on traffic. I chose them due to recommendations and also the availability of any sort of care that the baby may have needed. In my case, although my DS wasn't serious he was fairly sick for his first week, so I felt very comfortable with him at this hospital since I knew they had all the specialists and expertise. The drive when I was in labor wasn't bad at all (granted it was at 10pm) - normally they say with the first baby you have plenty of time. Also, you'll have a ton of appointments while pregnant - this hospital was close to my work. Trust your instinct and talk to plenty of moms to find out their recommendations.

[isign]

Just thought I'd bump this up. We're going to start actively TTCing soon - working through our fertility issues (I'm scared to be saying this :)) With in 45 minutes of me, there are 4 or 5 hospitals. I'm trying to decide if it's best to drive almost an hour to see an OB or if I should just stick to one close to my house.

[ktsb]

If you think/know there will be fertility issues I would highly recommend chosing an OB/GYN that you really like and trust. I don't think an hour is too far away.