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Published on: 24 August, 2026

Read Time: 10 min

By: Advantia Health

During the OB/GYN selection process, expectant mothers consider many criteria. They often face barriers that can delay care and prevent them from finding a provider they feel comfortable with.

Challenges include:

  • Shortages of obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYNs), midwives and birthing facilities are expected to reach 22,000 by 2050 (HMPI, 2025). These shortages are greatest in rural areas, especially across the South and Midwest, where nearly half of U.S. counties may lack a single obstetrics provider or facility in 2025 (MedicalXpress, 2025). In regions with OB/GYNs, not all may practice full-scope obstetrics.
  • Insurance coverage challenges due to low provider acceptance rates for public plans, limited in-network coverage, or high-deductible plans can all cause difficulty in finding, and being able to access comprehensive OB/GYN care.

Informed OB/GYN provider selection can help mitigate the challenges that accompany provider selection in areas where pregnancy care access is more limited and enhance the experience and peace of mind in regions where there are more abundant pregnancy care resources.

Understanding the Importance of Choosing the Right OB-GYN

When you first become pregnant, or are planning a pregnancy, choosing the right provider for your pregnancy care is one of the most impactful decisions you face, as this provider can help you achieve the best possible outcomes and overall maternal health.

While maternal care providers can include midwives, nurse practitioners and other clinicians with expertise in women’s health, OB-GYNs are uniquely trained to provide comprehensive prenatal care, especially if above-average risk is present before or develops during a pregnancy. This, and the regulatory environment in some states, are likely the reasons that 98% of U.S. births are attended by physicians (CDC, 2025). OB/GYNs can monitor maternal and fetal health, guide labor and delivery and offer postpartum support, helping to ensure positive outcomes for mother and child and reducing pregnancy anxieties.

The critical role OB/GYNs play in the childbirth experience underscores the importance of choosing an OB/GYN who is right for you.

Key Factors to Consider When Selecting an OB/GYN

According to the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), an obstetrician-gynecologist is a physician who specializes in the medical and surgical care of women, focusing on the female reproductive system, including pregnancy and childbirth.

When selecting an OB/GYN, 85% of women prioritize a physician’s experience and credentials when selecting an OB/GYN (Healthline, 2025), and patients review an average of 25 profiles on ZocDoc before booking an appointment.

In your OB/GYN selection criteria, you will want to include factors such as board certification and supplemental training, hospital affiliation, location, years of experience, network status with your insurance plan (if applicable), and communication style. Ensuring you have culturally competent care will also help lower risk for families who have historically experienced worse birth outcomes.

You can use patient reviews and feedback, referrals from current healthcare providers, recommendations from friends and family members, insurance company and provider websites, third-party directories and online forums when choosing an OB/GYN. While all OB/GYNs have similar training, the care philosophy and specialties can vary widely, along with expertise and quality of care. An in-person consultation can be the best way to understand these nuances and whether you are comfortable with this provider and find them trustworthy. Your pregnancy healthcare choices should not be made for geographic proximity alone.

Navigating Insurance and Coverage Considerations

While the Affordable Care Act requires all qualified health plans to cover maternity and newborn care, to prevent excessive out-of-pocket costs, it is essential to understand your OB/GYN coverage.

Currently, prenatal visits, routine tests and ultrasounds, labor and delivery, and postpartum checkups are bundled into one episode of care for a pregnancy. Out-of-pocket costs will vary based on whether your doctors and hospitals are in-network. You should confirm that both are in-network prior to seeking care or registering to deliver at a hospital. If you change insurance plans during a pregnancy, that may impact the bundled coverage and require separate claims processing.

Additionally, doula support, lactation consultations, genetic testing and other services are not typically included in an episode of care, and you should verify coverage for those separately. You can contact your insurance company’s customer service department to get the answers you need about your coverage.

In 2027, the bundled billing services will be replaced with billing for each encounter individually, as with other provider visits. This change has been recommended by leading physician associations to help improve monitoring and management of increasingly complex pregnancies and associated services. There is no expected impact on benefits or cost-sharing, however, you are likely to receive more communication about your pregnancy services from your insurance company and providers. This also reinforces the importance of ensuring that each provider is in-network with your plan and understanding your liability for co-pays and out-of-network services.

The Role of Midwives and Alternative Birthing Options

With employment of certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) increasing significantly in hospitals and physician-owned practices, more pregnant women across the U.S. have alternate birthing options available to them. Certified nurse-midwives attended approximately 9% of all U.S. births in 2024 (ACNM, 2025), and 95% now work within integrated hospitals and private-practice obstetrics teams (The Commonwealth Fund, 2023).

CNMs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who have graduated from a nurse-midwifery education program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) and have passed a national certification examination from the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB). The majority of midwives in the United States are CNMs. (CNMs) are licensed to practice and attend hospital births in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. In some states, physician supervision or a collaborative agreement may be required.

Midwifery care includes comprehensive care for women from preconception through pregnancy, delivery and the postpartum period, including care for healthy newborns during the first 28 days of life. For routine, low-risk pregnancies, they provide full-service obstetric care, including pregnancy confirmation, prenatal visits and testing, health counseling, ultrasounds, birth planning and postpartum care. In high-risk pregnancies and births, a midwife can help you access resources to support your childbirth goals, provide emotional support during challenging times, or work alongside specialists who are experts in your condition to ensure safe and healthy outcomes.

Typically, midwives are more supportive of natural approaches to pregnancy and birth than OB/GYNs, and a small number will oversee home births. Midwives also embrace feelings, emotions and values when developing a birth or care plan, which means that every patient can benefit from working with a midwife. Some patients prefer midwives because they feel they have greater control over their care. It’s important to note that midwives care for women, no matter how they choose to give birth. CNMs can prescribe medications and order epidurals as appropriate and in line with the wishes and needs of their patients and recommend the same routine testing and vaccination protocols.

Exploring midwifery care options can provide expectant mothers with choices that align with their personal preferences and medical needs.

Preparing for the First OB/GYN Appointment

Prior to your first OB/GYN appointment, be sure to prepare a list of your questions that arose during your research. If you have pre-existing health conditions, a family history of conditions that may impact your pregnancy, or similar considerations, make sure to mention those to hear how the provider will manage complications that could arise.

Other questions can include:

  • Who will I deliver with?
  • How are after-hours questions and urgent matters handled?
  • Who else will be part of my care team?
  • Are you supportive of birth plans and doula support?
  • What is your philosophy on labor inductions and C-sections?

Throughout your discussion, be sure to note if that provider answers your questions and makes you feel confident about their care, and willing to collaborate with other care team members you may need.

In some circumstances, you may begin care with an OB/GYN and find that a provider is not the best fit for you, due to emerging health needs or personal preference. Approximately 15% of pregnant women in the U.S. switch healthcare providers during pregnancy due to dissatisfaction with care. Be sure to keep your research from your initial search to help prepare you for a change if needed. Most OB/GYNs will want to know what is motivating a transfer of care, but understand and support your choices, and will facilitate a transfer of your medical records.

FAQs

Q: What factors should I consider when choosing an OB/GYN practice?

Consider the practice’s location, range of services, insurance acceptance, OB/GYN qualifications, and patient reviews. When choosing an OB/GYN, it’s essential to select a practice that aligns with your health needs and personal preferences.

Q: How can I verify if an OB/GYN practice accepts my insurance?

Contact the practice or review their website for a list of accepted insurance plans. Your maternity care insurance provider will have the most up-to-date information, so you can contact their customer service department or website to confirm or ask questions about other providers who will support your pregnancy care. Be sure to verify the hospital is in-network in addition to the practice.

Q: Is it important for my OB/GYN to offer both obstetric and gynecologic services?

Having a provider who offers both services ensures continuity of care throughout different stages of your reproductive health, from prenatal care to postpartum and beyond. However, not all OB/GYNs specialize in the same areas, so you may wish to pursue a provider after you are done having children with expertise in other areas of women’s health.

Q: How can I assess the quality of care provided by an OB/GYN practice?

Review patient testimonials, check provider credentials, discuss the practice with your primary care provider or friends and family, and consider the practice’s reputation in the community to support OB/GYN provider selection. Scheduling a consultation can also help you gauge the quality of care and communication style.

Q: What should I do if I feel my concerns are not being addressed by my current OB/GYN?

Approximately 78% of patients reported that clear communication with their OB/GYN was a key factor in their satisfaction with care. Express your concerns directly to your provider. If issues persist, consider seeking a second opinion or switching to a practice that better meets your needs.

Q: How early in my pregnancy should I establish care with an OB/GYN?

It’s recommended to establish care as soon as you know you’re pregnant, ideally within the first eight weeks, to ensure timely prenatal care and screenings, and ensure you have access to the resources you need to address your pregnancy care questions.

Q: Can I switch OB/GYN providers mid-pregnancy if I’m dissatisfied with my current care?

You have the right to switch providers at any point if you’re not satisfied with your care. You can ensure a smooth transition by obtaining your medical records and communicating your reasons for the change.

Related Resources

Finding Advantia OB/GYN Care

Choosing the right healthcare provider is a crucial step in your wellness journey. At Advantia Health, we are committed to offering personalized and compassionate care through our extensive network of over 150 dedicated providers. By utilizing our Provider Search page and reviewing our comprehensive services, you can confidently select a provider who aligns with your health needs. Take the first step towards optimal health by scheduling an appointment with us today.