Phone Numbers
Directory assistance
(203) 688-4242
Patient information
(203) 688-4177
Adult emergency
(203) 688-2222
Children's emergency
(203) 688-3333
Admitting
(203) 688-2221
Children's admitting
(203) 688-3331
Mailing address:
Yale-New Haven Hospital
20 York Street
New Haven, CT
06510-3202
Choosing an obstetrician or midwife
Whether you are considering getting pregnant, or are already pregnant, choosing an obstetrician or nurse-midwife is a very important decision. Because women feel differently about the birthing process, and health care providers have different styles of practice, consider these points in seeking the best fit for your own personality and beliefs:
- What are the doctor's or midwife's credentials and experience?
- Is he/she board certified?
- How long has he/she been in practice?
- Which hospital does the doctor or midwife use?
- Are there evening and Saturday office hours?
- Does the practice accept your insurance?
- Is it a small practice, or a large group?
- Are there midwives in the practice, and what is their role in your care?
- What is the health care provider's philosophy on childbirth?
- What is the practice's cesarean section rate?
- Does the practice encourage VBACs (vaginal birth after cesarean)?
- Does the practice encourage breastfeeding?
- Who covers for the health care provider when he/she is not in?
Where can you find this information?
To start, call Yale-New Haven Physician Referral Service at (203) 688-2000,
or toll-free 1-888-700-6543, for assistance in finding an obstetrician
who will meet your needs. Or, if you prefer, search our online
physician database yourself.
Outside resources:
American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last revised: July 19, 2005 (jj)
