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Male or Female OB/GYN?

What to Consider When Making This Decision

By Teri Brown

"When choosing an OB/GYN, women have their own individual preference as to whether or not they choose a male or female," Dr. Nardone says. "Many women feel they can confide and commiserate with a female OB/GYN more readily than a male. Some women feel uncomfortable with a male examining the genital area. Some cultural or religious statutes require women to only seek the care of women doctors. However, there are still many women who prefer the sometimes more reserved demeanor of a male OB/GYN."

Because so many women are using doulas as their support, they want the cool professionalism a male doctor may bring. These women tend to surround themselves with supportive women of their own choosing during the birth and seek out a male doctor for an element of detachment. Of course, these are just generalities. Many male doctors are warm, understanding and supportive while many female doctors are serious and detached.

"The real issue is not the sex of the doctor but your ability to relate, confide [in] and trust your doctor in all, if not many, areas of obstetrics," Dr. Nardone says. "Other things to consider are their expertise in certain fields that might be important to you and the extent of their experience."

Sember agrees. "I think that women sometimes make a decision based on sex, when instead they should make decisions also based on experience, attitude and bedside manner," she says. "There are female doctors that are not wonderful, just as there are male doctors that are not wonderful. Doctors are people first, with their own personalities, and I think it is important to pay attention to those."

Want to see more?

• Check out our Article Library.
• Trimester Talk: What Questions to Ask Your Doctor and When to Ask Them
• Physician or Friend: Can Your Doctor Be Both?
• The Doula Decision: Tips for Choosing the Right One for You
• Talk about it!