Planning to Have a Baby? Here’s How to Choose Your OB 

“Having a baby is routine,” said no birthing woman ever! This is why the obstetrician (OB) you pick should make the experience feel like the incredibly exciting, life-changing, and sometimes scary time that it is. The careful choice of an OB is important and impacts every aspect of pregnancy. Having delivered over 5000 babies, I have some advice for how to choose an OB that is right for you.  

Choose an OB who makes you feel supported. 

A good OB listens and provides a pregnancy and delivery experience that allows you to feel acknowledged, heard, cared about, and supported. Pregnancy is a time when feelings of uncertainty, vulnerability, and loss of control arise. You need to know that you and your baby are in the hands of someone you trust to listen to your needs. 

Choose an OB who is passionate about what they do. 

When it comes to delivery, you need a cheerleader and a coach. No matter how many babies an OB has delivered, they should have the same enthusiasm as if it were their first delivery. A good OB never forgets the significance of this day to the people who are about to become parents. 

As an OB/GYN with Bedford Commons OB-GYN who has delivered babies at Elliot Hospital for almost 16 years, I can honestly say that I love my job as much or more than I did on day one. I am proud of what we do at both my practice and Elliot Hospital.  

I was elected the medical staff president at The Elliot almost a year ago. It was a natural transition for me because The Elliot’s mission to heal, inspire, and serve with compassion aligns well with the philosophy in my own practice. I am amazed to witness this mission and commitment to patient care on a daily basis.  

Choose an OB who delivers at a hospital that values safety.  

The hospital where you have your baby is important. You need the best possible staff and facilities for delivery and post-partum care. The leadership team at The Elliot works tirelessly to make sure that we have the support and resources necessary to give our patients the best care. There is constant discussion about how to improve and innovate. The Elliot ensures they have the best providers by carefully reviewing the experience and qualifications of each applicant. There is constant discussion about how to improve and innovate. We also have a strong quality assurance program that reviews all aspects of care, including how well patients do, to constantly look for ways to improve the patient's experience. 

Choose an OB who delivers at a hospital that hires highly skilled staff.  

Choosing a hospital that prioritizes hiring highly skilled staff ensures that both you and your baby receive expert care. Skilled professionals provide a higher standard of safety, compassion, and efficiency, leading to a smoother and more reassuring birth experience. 

When it comes to the OB Department specifically, The Elliot has an outstanding and committed department chair, Dr. Heidi Meinz. We have strong nurse leadership, including two people dedicated to safety and education. In addition, we have committees made up of nurses and physicians who dedicate their time to reviewing studies and researching cases to be sure we provide exceptional care. Our outstanding high-risk OB/maternal-fetal medicine department provides ultrasound and high-risk decision-making expertise.  

Read Dr. Meinz's advice about what to ask your OB in each trimester

Our nursing staff is second to none. There is arguably nothing more impactful than the expertise, attention, and support a good nurse can provide. In addition, we have a very active postpartum physical therapy department who are enthusiastic about helping our patients recover after vaginal and cesarean deliveries. We have dedicated social workers to support our patients in their transition to parenthood. Lastly, our LNAs support us all, helping our floor run efficiently and ensuring our patients are well provided for. 

Choose an OB who delivers at a hospital with a high-level NICU.

NICUs are specialized facilities designed to provide advanced care to premature babies and those born with medical complications. Few parents expect to need a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), but it is comforting to know The Elliot has an incredible NICU team immediately available to attend to your baby if the need arises. The levels of neonatal care are structured to ensure that infants receive the appropriate level of care based on their needs. The Elliot has the only Level III NICU in southern New Hampshire. 

Level III NICUs, like ours at Elliot Hospital, are equipped to manage critically ill newborns who need intensive medical care. These NICUs are typically found in larger regional hospitals with specialized resources and a multidisciplinary team to handle complex conditions.  

Choose an OB who delivers at a hospital with skilled pain management and pediatric departments. 

When picking an OB, remember that a reliable and skilled anesthesia service is imperative when you need relief from pain or have an emergency. Under Amoskeag Anesthesia's care, Elliot patients are in the safest hands, with providers who have the experience and expertise to manage the most complex situations. Additionally, nothing becomes more important than knowing that the pediatric team takes the utmost care of your baby.  

Final Thoughts 

Picking an OB is a big deal. You only want the best for yourself, your family, and your baby. You should accept no less. We are incredibly lucky to have this exceptional gem —Elliot Hospital—right here in our state. I cannot say enough about the entire team we have at Elliot Hospital. I would pick our people over and over again to care for any one of my friends and family. 

When you want the best care for you and your baby, The Elliot’s labor and delivery and maternity units will be here. We can’t wait to see you and meet your baby! 

Learn more about The Elliot's OB, labor and delivery, and maternity units

By Dr. Lara Hanlon of Bedford Commons OB-GYN 

Dr. Lara Hanlon received her undergraduate degree from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, and her medical degree from Geisel, previously Dartmouth Medical School in Hanover, NH. She completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in Rochester, NY. Before coming to Bedford Commons OB-GYN and Elliot Hospital 16 years ago, Dr. Hanlon was an attending physician for 3 years at the Gallup Indian Medical Center in New Mexico. Dr. Hanlon is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.