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Need a Doctor?

Choosing a Pregnancy Health Care Provider

By Ginny Hermann

Decisions, decisions, decisions. Once you're pregnant, it's one decision after another. You choose a name, a nursery theme, a crib and a car seat -- but one of the most important decisions facing a new mother is her choice of a health care provider. A trusting caregiver/patient relationship is essential, especially during this often unsettling time. That's why it's important that the choice of a pregnancy health care provider not be taken lightly.

There are four types of professionals from which to choose: obstetrician, family practitioner, certified nurse-midwife and lay midwife. Your decision hinges on your health, your desired degree of involvement and the type of service you expect from your provider.

An obstetrician (OB) is a medical specialist who has completed at least three additional years of training in women's health issues over and above general medical school training. If a woman has a pre-existing condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, is older than age 35, or has had previous problem pregnancies, miscarriages or genetic issues, her pregnancy is considered high-risk and should be entrusted to a specialist like an OB who is specially trained to handle the possible complications that may arise.

The majority of expectant mothers in the U.S. choose an OB as their pregnancy care giver. "I chose an OB because it made me feel safer using a specialist," said Sue Booton of Omaha, Nebraska. "When I have a sinus infection, I call an ENT; if I hurt my foot, I call a podiatrist. In my opinion, a specialist is better trained to handle most health care situations."

Want to see more?

• Guide to Common Pregnancy Tests and Procedures
• So, You Want to Have a Homebirth
• The Homebirth Hype
• The Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative

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