Editor’s Note: For more tips on new parenting, see our 2014 Guide For Expectant & New Parents and Best In Show
If you’re searching for an OB-GYN, midwife, doula, or lactation consultant, there’s no shortage of qualified people in the NYC area. Start by asking trusted friends for recommendations, but don’t take their advice as the last word. Follow your instincts. Search online or use a childbirth reference book to really understand the role of each provider, noting questions to ask when interviewing the kind of health care provider you’re interested in working with.
For OB-GYNs: The major local hospitals have referral services. We also recommend the search engine at castleconnolly.com, which gathers Best Doctors lists using peer referrals.
For doulas: Try DONA International (dona.org), NYC Doula Service (nycdoulaservice.com), the Metropolitan Doula Group (metrodoula.com), the Doula Project (doulaproject.org), and Mama Views (mama- views.com) for its Rate My Baby Nurse directory.
For baby nurses: Try Mama Views (mamaviews.com) for its Rate My Baby Nurse directory.
For midwives: Try the American College of Nurse- Midwives (midwife.org) and choices in childbirth (choicesinchildbirth.org).
For lactation experts: Try the New York Lactation consultant Association (nylca.org).
