Birth Options in Central Oregon Series

OB's

o Continuing with my look into the birth options for Central Oregon, I am going to touch on the OBGYN's that are here for you to see throughout your pregnancy.
For many, once you find out you're pregnant, you may reach out to your friends or Facebook and ask who's the best OB in town. While there are certainly favorites, when choosing an OB for yourself and your baby it is more than a popularity contest. It's about finding those who fit your individual needs and uphold and respect your birth wishes.

Currently, the two largest independent OB offices in Bend are East Cascades Women's Group and Central Oregon OB/GYN. East Cascades has nine OB's on staff and just recently added a Certified Nurse Midwife that you can choose from and see throughout your care. There are many great doctors in this office who can serve a wide variety of needs from low to high risk. Central Oregon OB has two OB's on staff. If you are having a high risk pregnancy, this may be an office to look into.
All of these doctor's do not work for St. Charles Health Systems, rather they are independent contractors who have hospital privileges. They also work on an "on call" rotation, so the doctor you chose to see during your pregnancy may not be the who is on the day you go into labor. 
The third option is St. Charles Women's Clinic. While the office and prenatal visits are in Redmond, you will birth at the Bend hospital. The women's clinic has a mix of OB's and Certified Nurse Midwives on staff. There are five CNM's and one will be on call at the hospital at all times.  If you are looking for the midwifery care model but still in a hospital setting, this is an option for you. 
The hospital also has hospitalist on staff. These are OB's who do not regularly see women prenatally, but are available on the labor floor if needed. 

It is important to look at your individual needs when choosing your physician. Even with the knowledge that you most likely will not get your same doctor for your baby's birth, how you are treated prior to can pave the way for your birth. Interviewing physicians and asking about their birth philosophy, induction rates, cesarean rates, and how they would handle certain situations will give you a good idea if they are the right fit for you.
Take your time finding the right care provider for you and your baby. The relationship should be built on open conversation where you feel that you are heard and are receiving all the information you desire.