Missed your period, dealing with your first pregnancy, or experiencing reproductive-related changes in line with age and other factors? Whichever of these you may be struggling with, you know that it is always best to consult a doctor specializing in obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) to give you the peace of mind that you need. 

Many women feel visiting an OB-GYN for the first time can be overwhelming with all the uncertainty that may come with it. In addition, there are many OB-GYN doctors to choose from in Conway and surrounding cities. Selecting who will be the most compatible with you can be quite confusing.

To help you with this, we’ve compiled a number of considerations to check out when you’re looking for an OB-GYN to take care of your reproductive health. 

Narrow down your list by location

You might be curious why we would start with location instead of something like specialty? It is important that you find the best of the best for you, and sometimes that means not going on long drives and tiring commutes or travels for you to meet your doctor.

With the power of search at our fingertips, this step is not that hard. All you have to do is Google or search “ob-gyn near me” and you’ll be confronted with a huge number of results. You can also ask around your neighborhood or friends if that would give you an extra layer of reassurance. Once you have that list, it’s time to take another step and narrow the options further. 

Check the credentials of OB-GYNs near you

So you’ve got your list of potential obstetricians and gynecologists near you. The next step would be to find their online biography and check to see if they have board certification or have completed extra training and exams beyond their licensure to be recognized as an expert. You can also confirm if they specialize in your area of concern.

For example, you might want an OB-GYN who’s especially knowledgeable in managing irregular periods or other conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome or genital tract diseases. If you’re trying to conceive, you might want to meet with OB-GYNs who are experts when it comes to fertility. Then if you’re pregnant, you might want an obstetrician who’s experienced with managing any symptoms that may complicate your pregnancy.

Aside from certifications and other credentials, you should also look for obstetrics and gynecology experts who offer advanced treatment or care. For example, look for those who are continually looking for innovative treatments to improve your experience and overall health. For this step, you may check out different providers’ websites or go the traditional way and ask around or call your potential OB-GYN partners. 

Choose experts with modern equipment or technology

Having experience and expertise is one thing. For a more holistic approach to obstetrics and gynecology, your potential provider would need modern or advanced technology and equipment that will enable them to give you the best experience and care. 

Again, check out the provider’s website and see if they stay on the cutting edge of technology. Some clinics can be so advanced that they offer procedures such as Da Vinci robotic surgery and in-office ablations.

Consider your medical privacy

While medical privacy might be not on top of your mind when choosing an obstetrics and gynecology expert, this part should be taken into consideration. Why? Information regarding reproductive health can be quite sensitive and is confidential. Thus, you should be in control of your healthcare and data. 

To help your mind be at ease, find someone near you who are not only experts but also highly values your privacy, and has strict guidelines in place to protect your identity.

Find someone you’re comfortable with

In line with your privacy, another factor that could help you feel comfortable during overwhelming OB-GYN visits is the doctor themself. While this can not be evaluated by just looking at a website, remember that you have a choice to walk away if you feel uncomfortable with the provider you’ve chosen. To evaluate this, think about how you feel with your OB-GYN. Do you feel comfortable asking questions and answering your OB-GYN? Do they make you feel more at ease? Do they take the time to explain things to you well and clear? Do they listen attentively?

Your expert and reliable partner at Conway OB-GYN

At Conway OB-GYN, it has always been our goal to offer our patients quality medical care in a safe and comfortable setting. We have five excellent physicians on staff to accommodate all patient preferences. Our practitioners have managed to establish a great line of communication and trust with our patients. We offer the flexibility of quick work-in appointments.

In terms of advanced treatment, we also have a certified ultrasound tech on staff that is proficient at documenting problems for our patients experiencing pelvic pain or other symptoms.The physicians use these scans to deliver the appropriate care for each patient. Our ultrasound technician also uses our new 4-D ultrasound machine to allow our obstetric patients to see their baby for the first time. These special scans are offered with pictures and a DVD.

We also are providers for most major insurance companies and our friendly staff will be glad to assist you with any questions you may have regarding your visit.