It’s important to find an ob-gyn who fits both your current and future needs. You want a doctor you feel comfortable with — someone who takes care of you and listens. Finding a gynecologist or ob-gyn is essential, but choosing one can feel overwhelming.
Here are some tips on how to find an ob-gyn who is right for you.
What Is an Ob-Gyn?
Ob-gyn stands for obstetrician-gynecologist. These providers can be nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurse midwives, or doctors. They all specialize in women’s reproductive health, pregnancy, labor, and childbirth. They see patients as young as 13 to 15, the typical age of a first appointment, as well as older adults and seniors. An ob-gyn can help care for female patients through all the stages of their lives.
Should I see an ob-gyn or gynecologist?
There are a few different types of doctors trained in women’s health. The most common are obstetricians, gynecologists, and ob-gyns. But which one is right for you? The answer will depend on your health care needs and goals.
An obstetrician provides care for all stages of pregnancy. A gynecologist specializes in all aspects of women’s health and reproductive systems. An ob-gyn has training in both areas, but always be sure to double-check before making an appointment.
Women who neither are pregnant nor plan to have children can choose a gynecologist. However, women who are currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant will want to choose an obstetrician or an ob-gyn.
If you aren’t sure, an ob-gyn is a safe choice. They can provide general well-woman care, family planning services, and obstetrics services if you need them.
Do I Need a Regular Ob-Gyn?
Your health care needs change as you do. Having a trusted ob-gyn throughout your life is key to staying healthy. An ob-gyn will help you stay informed as your body changes, notice any abnormalities sooner, and detect health problems as early as possible for diagnosis and treatment.
Regular ob-gyn appointments help you to be more prepared to handle health changes and stay up to date on screenings like breast exams and cervical cancer screening. It’s important to remember that an ob-gyn does not replace your primary care provider (PCP). Continue making annual visits to your PCP as well.
What Services Does an Ob-Gyn Provide?
General ob-gyn services meet the needs of women of all ages and can include:
- Adolescent gynecology.
- Annual pelvic exams, breast exams, and pap smears.
- Birth control, including IUDs and implants.
- Family planning.
- Infertility counseling.
- Labor and delivery services.
- Management of low- and high-risk pregnancies.
- Menopause services.
- Menstrual concerns.
- Midwifery services.
- Minimally invasive treatment of fibroids, tumors, and endometriosis.
- Pre- and postnatal care.
- Screenings and preventive care.
- Sexually transmitted disease treatment and prevention.
- Treatment for other conditions, such as urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and more.
- Vaccinations.
If you have specific health care needs, advanced services can also include maternal fetal medicine, gynecologic cancer, and pelvic floor and bladder care.
How to Find an Ob-Gyn
Before making an appointment, make sure the doctor can fulfill your health care needs. Consider these factors when finding a gynecologist or ob-gyn:
- First, determine whether you specifically need an obstetrician, a gynecologist, or both (an ob-gyn) as explained above.
- Talk to knowledgeable family members or friends for recommendations.
- Consider if you have a health condition that requires you to see an ob-gyn who specializes in higher-risk patients. Ask yourself if you need to choose a doctor who offers specialized care, such as that for infertility, endometriosis, or pelvic pain. Most women do not need to see a specialist for routine care.
- Look at hospitals or clinics near where you live or work for convenient care.
- Find doctors who are covered under your current health insurance plan.
- Explore the doctors’ bios online and examine their credentials, history, and specialties.
- Browse the doctors’ specialties and services online and decide if you want to visit the doctor’s office in person.
- When you have narrowed down your search, don’t be afraid to ask your ob-gyn questions about their approach to care. Being comfortable openly communicating with your ob-gyn is important.
- Ask your ob-gyn about their care team and who will be at your appointments and delivery.
What subspecialties should I consider?
Depending on your situation, you may need an ob-gyn who has a subspecialty in one or more of the following areas:
- Complex family planning.
- Critical care.
- Gynecologic oncology to manage and treat cancers.
- Hospice and palliative medicine for serious illnesses.
- Maternal fetal medicine for high-risk pregnancies.
- Minimally invasive surgery and endometriosis.
- Pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery for conditions like urinary incontinence and prolapse.
- Reproductive endocrinology for hormonal and fertility problems.
You can also look for an ob-gyn who has a subspecialty in a specific age group like adolescents or older adults.
Before Your First Appointment
Finding a gynecologist
Make a list of questions that you would like the ob-gyn or gynecologist to answer. Some questions you might ask are:
- What are your specialties?
- How long have you been practicing?
- Who will I see at my follow-up appointments?
- How do you approach women’s health care?
- What surgeries do you perform (if any)?
Finding an obstetrician
If you are currently pregnant or plan to become pregnant, you might have additional questions, such as:
- How long have you been in practice?
- What is your policy on patients writing their own birth plans?
- Who will see me for my prenatal care and deliver my baby?
- Under what conditions would you induce labor?
- At which hospitals does your practice deliver?
- Does the practice offer midwifery care?
Questions to Ask After Your First Appointment
After you’ve had your first appointment with an ob-gyn, reflect on your experience. Did you feel heard and valued? Were your needs met and questions answered? If you have a high-risk medical condition, is the doctor able to treat you accordingly? If you answered ‘yes’ to these questions, it sounds like you’ve found an ob-gyn who is right for you.
If not, there’s no harm in making an appointment with a different gynecologist, obstetrician, or ob-gyn. You should feel comfortable discussing women’s health issues with your doctor.
For more information about how to choose an obstetrician, gynecologist, or ob-gyn, visit UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital or call 1-866-696-2433.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on , and was last reviewed on .