Your life is always on the move. While you’re busy doing the things you love, you also need to make sure to keep yourself healthy. For women between the ages of 20 and 60, most healthcare happens through a women’s healthcare provider or OB/GYN. Women meet with these providers every year for care that includes:
- Annual gynecological exams
- Family planning
- Abnormal bleeding
- Pregnancy
- Postnatal care
- Mammograms
- Bone density screening
- Pap tests
- Endometriosis
- Menopause management and more
Sometimes it can be difficult to find the right OB/GYN for you. Appointments can make some women feel uncomfortable, and changes in health and lifestyle aren’t always easy to talk about. That’s why it’s essential to choose a women’s health care provider that you feel comfortable with.
Think about you first
The relationship that you build with your women’s health care provider is very important. In their office, you will have personal conversations about your health, medical history and future plans. That’s why your choice in a women’s healthcare provider has to be about you.
Start by thinking about what your ideal healthcare visit will look like. Remember experiences you’ve had in the past. Think about your own hopes and worries about talking with your doctor. Some questions to consider include:
- Are you outspoken and need a provider who lets you talk, or would you rather your doctor does most of the talking?
- Do you want a provider who understands your culture and/or language needs?
- Do you feel a sense of trust and feel comfortable talking about everything open and honestly during your appointment?
- Do you need a provider who is available for phone or MyChart conversations?
- Would you like the option of virtual healthcare visits?
Geographic location is also important to consider. It is easier to build a strong connection with your provider if their office is nearby. It also makes your life simpler if you need to be at an in-person appointment. Be sure to research the location of the office and how it fits into your regular routines.
All your preferences matter. Focusing on your comfort is the best way to choose the right women’s health care provider for you.
Understand their qualifications and professional history
Individual doctors usually have specific titles and areas of expertise. You may be more comfortable with one of these titles depending on your needs and personality.
At MetroHealth, we have a few different kinds of doctors that you can choose from. The first is an OB-GYN: a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology. Like all doctors, an OB-GYN has completed four years of medical school. They have also completed a four-year residency for more training in women’s health. An OB-GYN is an expert in everything having to do with pregnancy and giving birth, including:
- General gynecological care
- Family planning
- Abnormal bleeding or painful periods
- Pregnancy care and treatment of conditions like gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and preeclampsia
- Vaginal delivery
- Cesarean Section surgery (C-section)
- Vaginal birth after c-section (VBAC)
- Menopause management
- Endometriosis management and GYN Surgery like hysterectomies
MetroHealth also has Family Medicine doctors who specialize in women’s health. A Family Medicine doctor has completed four years of medical school and a three-year residency program. They are also qualified to handle most pregnancy and birth related issues. Most deliver babies through vaginal births. Some may call an OB-GYN to complete a c-section, if necessary.
Family Medicine doctors can also serve as your primary care doctor throughout your lifetime as well as your children’s primary care provider.
At MetroHealth, our doctors work with an amazing team of providers who help at every stage of the journey. We are proud to be a designated Magnet hospital, meaning we meet the gold standard for nursing care excellence, according to the American Nurse Credentialing Center. From nurse practitioners to physician assistants, childbirth educators, lactation consultants, doulas and more. We work as a team to provide the best care possible for women of all ages and generations.
No matter who you choose to work with, you will receive outstanding care at MetroHealth. As one of Newsweek’s “America’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2022,” we put your health first and work hard to make sure you have a wonderful experience. See our list of providers here to find one who is right for you.
Read reviews
It can be difficult to get a feel for your new doctor’s personality before you have a chance to meet them. A picture and professional biography that you find online might give you some clues. But the most helpful way to see how a physician interacts with the people they treat is reading reviews.
Reviews for most healthcare professionals are available online. You can find them on the practice website or on your insurance company’s website (if the doctor is in your network). Read reviews carefully to learn about others’ experiences with the provider you are considering. The reviews can give you valuable insight into their personality and how they work
Make your call
Your choice of women’s healthcare provider is a personal one, so take your time and consider all the factors that matter most to you. Remember that your comfort is the highest priority. You want a relationship that will let you take control of your health. If you don’t connect with the first provider that you choose, it’s perfectly fine to try another. There is no need to stick with your first choice out of obligation. All providers want you to feel comfortable, safe, and empowered when you engage with your own health care.
Ready to find your women’s health care provider? Call 216-778-4444 to schedule an appointment.
