solo or group practice OB for pregnancy??

Question

I just found out I'm pregnant yesterday (still somewhat in shock but over the moon happy and excited). So I emailed my family doctor letting her know and she messaged me back asking if I want a solo practitioner or group practice. I don't have an OBGYN just a family doc so now it's time to decide. What's your experience?? What should I choose?

Answer

I prefer solo practice, you form a relationship with the doctor and hopefully have a connection with them, I couldn't imagine having a doctor that I didn't get along with or didn't get me. That being said I live in Europe and you have a team of midwives for the birth unless a doctor is needed.

Answer

I hate the thought of having a different dr each time so I choose an Obgyn with only 2 practices to limit the chance of getting a dr I didn't have a "bond" with. Best decision ever I love my Obgyn and hate the other one in the practice so I only ever saw my Obgyn, I couldn't imagine not likeing 2-3 other dr or midwives and being forced to see them.

Answer

I like my group practice. I'm sure each one is different. The advantage of my group practice is that I meet with each doctor leading up to my delivery, and whoever is on call delivers my baby. I prefer to know my doctor. Plus, all the doctors at my group practice are women, and I prefer that.

I've had friends who have gone with a solo practitioner and ended up giving birth during their doctor's vacation, so a stranger delivered their baby. I have anxiety so that doesn't work well for me.

It all depends on what you will feel most comfortable with. My experience is going to be unique to me. Make sure that you find a doctor that you like. If you meet a doctor and don't like that person, go with another one that you do like.

Answer

I'd chose the group, and see as many docs in the practice for prenatal appointments - using a solo practitioner doesn't 100% assure that you'll have them for delivery - babies just aren't that predictable. I'd rather have prepared for several people then feel blindsided or surprised, but that's my personality. 
During prenatal appointments, if you chose group, make sure you take notes so at the next appointment if there was an ongoing question or issue, you can remember to follow up.

Answer

I go to a practice with 4 OB's and have friends who go to solo pracs. There are plusses and minuses to both.  I like that mainly get to see the dr I prefer, but if an emergency arises I don't have to wait for an appointment, usually one of the Dr's is available that day to see me or answer my concerns vs a solo practice if the dr is busy with patients and out with a delivery you have to wait. Also with a solo prac, if that dr has been on call and happens to get deliveries in consecutive nights, you now have an overtired dr dealing with you vs a practice that rotates. The drawback with several Dr's  is if you go into labor naturally (vs scheduled c section or induction) you don't get to choose who delivers you, it's whoever is on call that day, so you may not get your preferred dr. But at least with a bigger practice if the dr is busy, in surgery etc you still get the back up dr from YOUR  practice vs solo. My friend had a solo prac whose dr happened to be in surgery and she needed an emergency c section, dr had to call a dr from another practice to c section her and she had never met the dr. At my practice there are 4 Dr's but I at least get to meet with all of them while pregnant  so I'm comfortable with all prior to delivery.

Answer

I got all my prenatal care up to 28 weeks from a group obgyn clinic they were awesome, but I disagreed with a couple things they believed in and decided to transfer to a birthing center and take a more natural approach to child birth! My best advice is make sure whoever you choose that you're being heard and you're not just another patient to them, you want your questions and concerns to be heard not just pushed aside.

solo or group practice OB for pregnancy??

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