Finding an OB that listens and relates to you can really make you feel more confident and comfortable throughout your pregnancy. At Central Ozarks Medical Center, we know how important it is to have a good OB, so we thought we would share some perspectives from our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks on things to think about when deciding on your new OB in mid-Missouri. To learn some helpful things to ask and think about, just keep reading this blog.
1) Experience
It’s good to ask about a doctor’s experience before deciding to make them your OB. The difference between someone that is just starting their career and someone that has decades of experience can affect how comfortable you are with them, especially if you have any difficulties. Don’t be afraid to ask about an OB’s experience or how long they’ve been practicing. You have every right to choose someone who has the level of expertise you want to guide you through your entire pregnancy.
2) Location
You will have a lot of doctor’s appointments during your pregnancy and after your new baby is born. So, ask yourself at the OB you are considering is within a reasonable driving distance for you to make regular appointments to. You will be making that drive throughout every season and will want to keep that in mind especially if you are considering an OB that is some distance from you.
3) Scheduling Options
If you work during the week and do not want to have to take off work for every single doctor’s appointment, you might want to ask your OB if they accept appointments on evenings, weekends, or outside of business hours. Often, moms prefer to save their time off for after they have the baby. So, the answer to this question may have an impact on which OB at the Lake of the Ozarks is best for you. It’s also a good idea to ask how long it usually takes to get an appointment.
4) Availability
If this is your first pregnancy, access to your doctor can be super important. You may have a lot of questions throughout your pregnancy, and you won’t want to have to wait till your next office visit each time to get the answer. Sometimes it’s hard to remember all of your questions when you’re at your office visit, so it’s important to know if you’ll be able to access your OB in-between visits. Inquire if your doctor can be reached by phone as well as when or how often it is OK to reach out to them.
5) Insurance
When it comes to medical care of any kind, cost can be critical. Our mid-Missouri health clinics are all about making sure people have access to quality healthcare regardless of their financial situation or insurance status. We use a sliding fee scale based on family size and income, and we DO NOT refuse patients for having no insurance. If you are concerned that paying for healthcare may be a difficulty for you, we encourage you to call and ask to speak to one of our community health workers to see how they can help.
Our mid-Missouri healthcare providers want your pregnancy and delivery to be a wonderful experience! We know that your OB can make a big difference and we want the whole process to be as pleasant and stress-free as possible. We are very focused on keeping you informed, answering all your questions, and being partners with you throughout your pregnancy. We don’t just want to guide you through your pregnancy and delivery, we want to see the continued good health of you and your baby. Call one of our clinics to schedule an appointment to see an OB near you today. You can find the phone number for each location by going to http://www.centralozarks.org/ and scrolling to the bottom. Be sure to follow us on social media to hear more news and announcements and helpful information about healthcare in mid-Missouri. We are proud to provide high-quality healthcare to the communities we serve, and we truly believe that it’s not just what we do, but how we do it that matters.
Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare
Serving Camden, Laclede, Pulaski, and Miller Counties. Coming soon to serve Morgan County.