Who is the Best OB-GYN in Arkansas?

If you’ve ever spent time in any mom groups, you’ve heard this question pop up quite a few times. “Who is the best OB-GYN in Arkansas?”

You know your baby is pretty special, and you want to have a safe, healthy, and satisfying pregnancy and birth. So that means you’ve got to secure the best dang OB-GYN you can find for your birth team. Where are they hiding?

Here’s why we can’t tell you who is the best OB-GYN in Little Rock, or anywhere else in Arkansas.

Because you are totally unique, and obstetricians are not one-size-fits-all.

Your sister might have used one doctor and loved him, but his bedside manner might not jive with you at all. The lady from the mom group might swear by another one, but she doesn’t accept your insurance!

As doulas, we have had the unique opportunity of working with countless OB-GYNs and midwives in Arkansas. We know their personalities, their practice styles, and what their offices are like. We have the inside knowledge of just how truly blessed we are in Arkansas is to have many fantastic providers for new families. But we can’t tell you which one is best for you, your body, your baby, and your birth.

So if you’re in the market for a new OB-GYN or midwife, here’s what we want to know in order to make you a personalized recommendation!

• What city/side of town are you on?

• What hospital are you planning on delivering at?

• What insurance provider are you using?

• What type of doctor do you like to work with? (Sisterly, motherly, grandfatherly, etc.)

• What type of bedside manner do you feel comfortable with? (No-nonsense, sense of humor, etc.)

• Do you have a preference for a male or female doctor?

• What’s the birth plan? (No epidural, Cesarean, high risk, water birth, VBAC, etc.)

What if I Already Have an OB-GYN, But I Want to Switch?

There are many reasons why you may want to switch doctors during pregnancy. You may have been seeing the same gynecologist all your life and love her, but when it comes to the pregnancy part you have differences of opinion. Or you may be interested in having a vaginal birth after cesarean, but your current doctor doesn’t do them. Whatever your reasoning, it is perfectly okay to interview other providers until you find one that meets your criteria and that helps you feel safe and heard. More than likely, your doctor just wants you and your baby to be happy and healthy - whether that’s under their care or someone else’s. Once you have used the above criteria to find a doctor you feel wonderful about, you can call your current office and have them transfer your medical records over to the new one.

Your friend or family member may have absolutely loved their provider, but that doesn’t mean you will! What one person goes nuts over, the next might go “meh.” We’re all different and the perfect provider is out there for all of us. So skip the mom groups and talk to your doula about your needs. Once we have gotten to know you a little bit and understand your ideal birthing experience, then we can recommend you the best OB-GYN in Arkansas - for you.