Updated by the Progyny Clinical Team — April 2025
You may already know who you want to deliver your baby and where. If you don’t, here’s a short list of things many pregnant people think about when choosing an obstetrician (OB) and a hospital or other birthing place:
- What insurance they accept
- Physician versus midwifery care
- Gender preference
- Hospitals where your OB delivers babies
- Office hours and location
- Pain management approaches
- C-section rates and tendencies
- Experience with potential risks and access to subspecialities, like maternal-fetal medicine (high-risk OBs) or a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
- Size and composition of the practice
- Most modern OB groups have multiple providers who work together to care for their patients. So, it may not be your own OB delivering your baby.
Your OB is your primary touch point during your pregnancy. However, they’ll be supported by a team throughout your pregnancy journey and delivery. So, it’s important to consider these factors when choosing one.
We recommend that you ask your primary care provider for recommendations. Talk to your friends and family about their experiences. You can also search online for patient reviews and consider reviewing hospital quality data from an organization, such as the nonprofit Leapfrog Group.
When meeting with your potential OB, be sure to ask them questions that are important to you. Consider asking if you can take a tour of the hospital to be sure that you are comfortable there. Look at the rooms, the layout of the maternity unit, and the distance from your home.
If you have questions or concerns, Progyny is here for you. Please contact your Progyny Care Advocate.
Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.