Congratulations on your pregnancy! Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.

Call the office. At night and weekends we have an answering service who will contact the doctor. It is best if you call our office first instead of going immediately to the hospital (if it is not life threatening) so that we may alert the hospital staff of your arrival. If your call is not returned within 20 minutes, then call again in case the page to the doctor did not go through.

You will usually see your own doctor. Occasionally you may see the other doctor or a Nurse Practitioner if your primary doctor is delivering a baby or doing emergency surgery. Your doctor may want you to get acquainted with the other physician at a few visits so that she is familiar to you. Our practice includes only board certified doctors.

We deliver approximately 70% of our patients. We often come in to do deliveries even when we are not on-call. Though we cannot guarantee 24 hours a day / 7 days a week that we have no other commitments to our families, friends or ourselves, we deliver the majority of our own patients. Our call group consists of board certified physicians who have practice styles similar to our own.

We will contact your insurance company to verify your coverage soon after your first visit. We will let you know about your coverage. Any co-pays (other than the per visit co-pay) , deductibles, or share of costs due to the office need to be collected by 28 weeks. Keep in mind your insurance may not cover or may have separate charges for the hospital or circumcision.

Maternity leave coverage varies according to your employer and your eligibility. State disability will pay for up to 4 weeks before your due date and up to 6 weeks after for a vaginal delivery for normal uncomplicated pregnancies. The state will not allow you to add weeks to the end if you do not take them ahead of time. Many patients choose to work longer due to the amount that the state pays. If you have other disability coverage you may not be eligible for state disability. Your employer, depending on the size of the company, may allow you additional time off of unpaid leave.

Typical medical reasons for early leave are those things that put your pregnancy at risk. Placenta problems, twin pregnancy, blood pressure problems, heart problems, preterm labor and premature rupture of membranes are examples of medical problems requiring early leave.

We have state disability forms at the office. The fee for our completion of these forms is $10 per form. You should fill out your portion then drop them off with your fee. Your insurance does not pay for completion of these forms (i.e. phone calls, copying, faxing, contacting you to clarify information, changing dates when applicable, postage, etc.). These forms are copied and mailed from the office.