5 Useful Tips for Finding a Quality OBGYN Near You

Moving to a new town means finding new friends, the new go-to brunch spot, and a new OBGYN.

Eighteen months ago, I went through this entire process (and if you’re in the DC area, I recommend Founding Farmers for brunch!).

Finding a great OBGYN can be a difficult balance of requirements. Not only do you need to find one near you, you also need to find a great OBGYN for you, who respects your values and is a good match.

Perhaps just as importantly, they also need to accept your insurance. But is finding all three—location, compatibility, and insurance—in one doctor even possible?

Before you turn to Google, start your search out strong with these 5 tips.

1. Use your existing network.

Ask your co-workers who they use.

When we moved to Northern Virginia, there were a plethora of talented obstetricians and gynecologists. Narrowing down our search seemed overwhelming, until we asked our co-workers what doctors they recommended.

Co-workers can be a great place to begin your research, because many of them probably share the same health insurance as you. This is one way to discover in-network providers.

My husband’s workplace has a running list of healthcare providers posted in the break room. Someone in the office has recommended or had a great experience with each of them. They also have a subsection for doctor’s offices that are near his office. Check and see if your workplace offers a similar resource.

Call your previous provider for a referral.

Another option is to call your previous health care provider. They may recommend a peer in their network or from medical school who shares the same values they know are important to you.

As you do your research, make a list of providers to look into.

2. Consult your insurance provider.

Determine your in-network options.

After you have a list of who is or isn’t recommended, check your insurance portal for a list of all in-network doctors.

In-network doctors and providers have a contract to accept payment from your insurance company. Typically, your office already has a relationship with your insurance company, and your out of pocket costs may be lower.

Sometimes the doctor’s office will contract another provider to do a blood lab or a diagnostic test (think cancer screening or genetic testing). If the contractor is out-of-network, it could increase your out-of-pocket costs.

I wanted to be sure that the doctor’s office I chose to use would also use contractors that were also in-network.

Health insurance, especially for female reproductive health, may seem overwhelming. But you can always call your insurance provider and talk to them about their in-network options.

Utilize your insurance portal.

My insurance portal was a valuable resource. I was able to start an online chat with an employee from the insurance company to ask questions about my coverage beyond primary care. I needed information about prenatal coverage.

Your insurance portal will probably allow you to search by a practice’s name, doctor’s name, or your zip code to find in-network OBs in your area. Check to see if there are any from your list of initial research.

Sometimes, the insurance portal will even provide you with the price range per appointment or procedure your provider would charge. This becomes very helpful when you are budgeting your options for health care.

While you do not have to choose an OBGYN that is considered “in-network,” it will most likely save you on out-of-pocket costs and billing headaches.

3. Know your non-negotiables.

We all want a great doctor who specializes in providing high quality care to women before, during, and after pregnancy. But it can be difficult to determine what that means for you.

Establish your values.

Health care is personal, and bringing a baby into the world is a life-changing decision. You want a health care provider who does more than just deliver babies. You want someone who aligns with what matters to you and your support team.

For example, I wanted an OBGYN who was a mom and had gone through the process of birth before. Because it was my first time giving birth, I wanted a health care provider who understood what I was going through, from the pelvic exams to the ultrasounds.

Another set of important values is how you would like your birth handled. It’s a good idea to make a list of preferences for your labor and delivery. Many women call this a birth plan, but I prefer “birth wishes,” because pregnancy doesn’t always go as planned.

Processing what you care about during birth will help you select a practitioner who aligns with these values.

Expect respect from your provider.

It’s important that you select a doctor who is going to respect your opinion and not automatically override your judgement. They are the experts when it comes to pregnancy and related health issues, but you should expect to be listened to as well.

For example, I have a friend who tracks her fertility using fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) as a natural alternative to hormonal birth control. When choosing an OBGYN, she knew her doctor needed to respect her birth control choices after birth, instead of pressuring or talking down to her.

Every woman is going to have different preferences and values that influence their choice in a healthcare provider. Remember, your doctor should be your teammate in getting both you and your baby to your due date, healthy.

If they ever talk down to you, make you feel silly, or pressure you, consider reporting them to their practice or choose to switch providers at any point in your pregnancy.

Selecting your doctor can mean selecting your hospital.

It was important for my OBGYN to have hospital admitting privileges. When you give birth, you will most likely deliver at a hospital where your doctor has been granted rights to admit their patients.

Continuity of care between my prenatal visits and my delivery experience was important to me. I knew when I was selecting my doctor, I was also selecting my hospital for labor and delivery.

On top of that, my husband and I wanted a hospital with a cesarean rate lower than the national average, and one with a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) level 3 on-sight.

Level 3 NICUs can take care of babies before 32 weeks, babies who weigh less than 1,500 grams, or babies who need extra help with breathing and other functions according to the March of Dimes in 2015.¹ While I hoped to not need a NICU, it was important to me that one was available.

Doing research on the quality of care your provider and hospital offer is a good way to avoid headaches when it comes time to deliver.

4. Investigate your top picks.

Research what information they offer.

After selecting a practice you’re interested in, begin perusing their website. Is it up to date with reliable information?

During my pregnancy, COVID-19 was in full swing, and my OB’s website was constantly changing with updated guidance for mothers and babies.

They also provided helpful information such as links to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology website, birth and nursing classes, and links to mom and baby support groups.

Check for information regarding high risk pregnancies and maternal fetal medicine (MFM), or if they do referrals for female pelvic medicine (for your postpartum pelvic needs).

If it’s not listed on their website, it's a good idea to write down a list a questions to ask at your first appointment.

Take online reviews with a grain of salt.

Finally, it may be worth it to read online reviews with a grain of salt. Often, online reviews will fall on both extremes of the spectrum: either the practice and healthcare providers are angels with godlike talent, or they are the worst people in the universe, and no one should ever see them.

However, they sometimes provide important information regarding the practice, such as: “morning appointments move much quicker,” “parking is harder to find at their downtown location,” “the ultrasounds techs are in on Wednesdays,” or “Dr. Jane Doe is only in the office M-W at this location.”

5. Make your first appointment.

Schedule a trial visit.

Now it’s time to select your provider. I took my coffee break one day to call my soon-to-be provider and requested an initial appointment.

When you call an OB’s office to schedule your first prenatal appointment, they will probably ask for the first day of your last menstrual cycle and your insurance provider.

Most doctors will wait to see you until you’re around 8 weeks before seeing you for the first time, but there’s no harm in calling earlier to get an appointment on the calendar. And have one less task on your pregnancy to-do list.

Don’t stop advocating for your needs.

Always ask questions and pursue what you value in your medical care. If your doctor rushes you or makes you feel uncomfortable about coming prepared with questions, consider switching.

Even if it means more research and paperwork, never hesitate to switch providers if you feel uncomfortable sticking with your current doctor for the next nine months—including during and after your delivery.

It’s a big commitment, and you deserve to have the support and care you need to ensure the prenatal and postnatal health of you and your baby.

Conclusion

Finding an OBGYN near me was a journey. My first two providers were not great fits for my needs or my family. I felt that my concerns were not fully listened to, and the practice didn’t meet my expectations.

In the end, I found a practice that I absolutely adored and respected my wishes. The nurses and receptionists were incredibly kind, and the OBGYNs made me feel comfortable and heard. It was worth the work and patience.

You are more than a female reproductive system. Make sure to choose a quality OBGYN who fits with you, your values, and cares about your growing little one.

One good doctor can make all the difference in helping you feel confident, calm, and in control of your prenatal health.