There are pros and cons to both independent obstetrician and group obstetric practices. Independent practitioners tend to provide more of a personalized care, but the risk is higher that you will have someone you are not familiar with dealing with an emergency situation or delivering the baby if your doctor is unavailable. In a group obstetric practice, you will probably see each doctor in the practice at least once during your pregnancy. This may not be the ideal situation, but at least you will know you have met the person who will deliver your baby.
To determine which type of obstetric care will work best in your situation, you need to do your research and ask a lot of questions. Ask family, friends or colleagues who have recently had a baby about their prenatal care. Do they recommend a practitioner or a clinic? If you do decide to try a group obstetric practice, ask questions about: How many practitioners are in the group? How are the responsibilities for your care divided? Will you see the same doctor throughout your pregnancy? Who will deliver the baby if your primary care provider is unavailable? Is there a 24 hour contact person? How many babies do they deliver in a year?
When you have all your questions answered, then you can make an informed decision that suits you.
