How to know if you have a “Problematic” OBGYN

Choosing the right provider is critical for receiving adequate care during your pregnancy, birth and postpartum period. But adequate care truly is the “bare-minimum”. A lot of families put up with a “problematic” OBGYN, solely because they feel like they have to. But that’s so not true!

You can fire your provider and find one that is a better for you, if you find yourself in this situation.

But, how do you know if you have a problematic OBGYN?

Connection with your OBGYN

Let’s start with the simplest way to tell: How do you feel after your appointments?

Did you feel like your OBGYN took the time to listen to you, educate you, care for you? Or do you feel like they were dismissive and writes everything off as “normal”?

Are your appointments rushed and feel a little like a McDonald’s drive-thru experience?

This happens more often than not because OB’s can be over-loaded with patients, burnt-out, or they’re checked out for whatever reason. Either way, you don’t want to feel like just another patient to check off the to-do list for the day.

You don’t deserve someone that needs the chart they’re skimming to remember who you are.

You deserve someone that can stop, look you in the eye and connect with you.

Does your OBGYN support your Birth Plan?

Or better yet, do they encourage you to write one? This goes along with connection. But unfortunately, you can be buddy-buddy with your provider and still have someone that blows off birth plans.

I’ve received thousands of comments and have talked with so many women that say “My provider told me birth plans are redundant because birth never goes the way we think it’ll go.”

While yes, birth never goes according to “plan”, birth plans aren’t a way for you to predict how everything is going to go. It’s a way to communicate your preferences, wants, needs, birth goals, and so much more.

So I LOVE an OBGYN that is supportive of birth plans! That means they truly care about you.

If there’s something on there that you don’t realize might be unrealistic for your labor or goes against evidence-based-practice, they should have a collaborative discussion with you. They shouldn’t just blow it off and make you feel silly.

For more information on Birth Plans, check out this blog post: How To Plan Your Dream Birth.

What is your OBGYN’s Cesarean rate?

If you’re wanting to avoid a c-section, setting yourself up for success starts with your provider.

I’ve met literal super-heroes in my career as a Doula. I’ve watched OB’s perform in the OR when things have taken a turn and the best possible outcome was delivering a baby via cesarean!

I say that, to say I do not think OB’s are simply looking for any and every reason to cut.

At the same time, it’s important to realize that they’re trained to handle the abnormal so they’re always ready. They might want to support you during a typical labor and let the physiological process do its thing. But things might happen that are out of your control.

The best way to know if you have a provider that supports physiological birth and isn’t scalpel happy, is to ask them about their cesarean rate. According to studies, the optimal rate should be lower than 20%. If it’s between 20%-30%, my next question would be “why?”.

After their answer, think about it. How does it make you feel? Go with your gut on that one. Getting to know your provider should be allowed and if they aren’t enthusiastic about answering your questions, they just might be problematic!

Read more about cesarean births here.

Evidence-Based Practice

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a process that combines the best available research with other factors to determine how services and treatments are provided. 

The factors to consider and discuss with your provider:

• Clinical expertise: The practitioner’s knowledge and experience 
• Patient preference: The patient’s unique circumstances, values, and expectations 
• Ethics & Philosophies: The practitioner’s ethical considerations and philosophies

This conversation is (in my professional and personal opinion) the most important!

One of the worst things I’ve ever seen that could be considered medical-abuse, was a video I stumbled upon of a provider that was using outdated obstetrical standards of care and believed in routine episiotomies. The woman giving birth didn’t know this prior to her labor and while she was pushing, her doctor made the cut without asking for consent or even giving her a heads up.

To say I felt angry and triggered by this video, would be an understatement!

Unfortunately, this type of behavior from OBGYNs is not rare. I’ve stepped in to advocate for more clients than I should have to.

So, I’ve learned that this particular conversation is the best way to ensure you don’t get stuck with someone that has not continued their education and training.

EBP is all about the best available, current, valid and relevant evidence for obstetrical standards of care.

Compassion & Collaboration!

These are the things I tell my clients to focus on when choosing a provider (if they don’t have one already) and what to talk about with them if they’re worried they may have a problematic OBGYN.

Connection, support and evidence-based practice are key to finding the right provider for you.

When considering these topics, do you feel like your provider focuses on all the key elements that align with you?

If not, they’re most likely problematic!

I hope this helps you make the right choice for you and your family.

For More Information About Childbirth, Checkout My Education & Empowerment Course!

You may have heard tales of birth painted as fearful, agonizing, and beyond your influence!

But let me share the real story of childbirth with you.