Finding the Right OB/GYN Care for YOU

An obstetrician-gynecologist, or ob/gyn, plays a vital role in the care of a woman’s overall health and wellbeing throughout her life. Therefore, it’s important to feel comfortable and confident in the provider you choose. Here are a few tips to help you find the right ob/gyn care for you.

Consider Your Comfort Level

“One of the most important things is your level of comfort with the ob/gyn you are choosing,” says Kirsten McDaniel, DO, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist with BJC Medical Group Women’s Health Care at Progress West Hospital. “You’ll be sharing many personal details and experiences of your life with them so you should feel comfortable with this person and heard by them.”

While you can find an ob/gyn by searching for information online or receiving a recommendation from friends or family, finding the right fit for you often begins with a conversation. Establishing care, even before becoming pregnant, can allow you to assess your comfort level and develop a strong rapport with an ob/gyn.

“It’s not only about providing excellent care with good outcomes but listening to the patient, addressing any questions or concerns they may have and allowing them to be involved in the decision making of their care,” adds Dr. McDaniel. “I also try to alleviate some of their anxiety they may have by reminding them that it’s our job to worry about things for them.”

Contact Us for an OB/GYN Appointment

To make an appointment with Dr. McDaniel or another ob/gyn with BJC Medical Group located in O’Fallon and Wentzville, call 636.344.3060.

Consider Your Ideal Birth Experience

If you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant, keep your ideal birth experience in mind and discuss how this can be achieved with your ob/gyn. You will want to choose a provider who practices at a hospital that can meet all your labor and delivery wishes. This might be accommodating a natural childbirth with the option of a labor tub, offering an epidural for a medicated birth or just providing certain comfort measures you would like in your childbirth experience.

The childbirth center at Progress West Hospital is equipped to handle any of those birth options women may be interested in, with amenities such as spacious rooms with walk-in showers, birthing balls and continuous or intermittent monitoring options. In all birthing scenarios, the labor and delivery team welcomes and encourages skin-to-skin after birth to support mother and baby bonding, and even dad can participate too.

Our birthing suites have a cozy atmosphere and meet the entire spectrum of birthing needs, from labor and delivery to recovery and postpartum, with accommodations for an overnight guest.

Consider Your Care Team's Expertise

Of course you’ll want to choose a board-certified ob/gyn with the credentials and depth of experience to ensure you’re in good hands. Board-certified ob/gyns have completed additional examinations and women’s health care specific training and are required to continue their education. Along with its cozy, intimate atmosphere, the childbirth center offers consultations with maternal-fetal medicine and a Level II newborn intensive care unit (NICU) staffed by neonatologists from St. Louis Children's Hospital. Lactation consultants are also available seven days a week to support mothers with breastfeeding. Progress West Hospital is recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program as a Gold Level Safe Sleep Hospital for its commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep. 

Extraordinary Care in St. Charles County

The team of physicians, nurses and technicians in St. Charles County is proud to provide personalized care for all of women’s health care needs, offering obstetrical care throughout pregnancy, delivery and postpartum and full gynecological care from age 11 to post menopause. To find an Ob/Gyn in St. Charles County or take a virtual tour of the childbirth center, visit BJC.org/OBGYN/ProgressWest.