How to Find an Accessible Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB/GYN)

Routine care from an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN) is essential for every woman’s health. They provide services throughout a woman’s lifetime, ranging from managing menstrual and menopause symptoms to family planning and cervical cancer screenings.

But the difficulty of finding an accessible OB/GYN causes many women to avoid this important care.

“Whether or not a person wants children or is sexually active, they should have a routine examination on a regular basis,” says Loralei Thornburg, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and professor at the University of Rochester in New York. She adds that establishing care with an OB/GYN before a problem arises ensures you have a provider who understands your medical history.

Knowing what accommodations are available — and what questions to ask before scheduling an appointment — can help you find a provider who is prepared to meet your needs.

Common barriers

Women with neuromuscular diseases may encounter several obstacles when seeking OB/GYN care, from physical accessibility to finding a provider who understands their condition.

Physical barriers may include:

• Difficulty transferring to an exam table and comfortable positioning once on the exam table
• Small exam rooms
• Lack of wheelchair-accessible scales
• Transportation challenges
• Limited accessibility in some medical office buildings

Because neuromuscular diseases are rare and vary widely in their symptoms and severity, an OB/GYN may not have experience with your condition. Bringing information about your diagnosis, medications, and mobility needs can help your OB/GYN better understand how to support your care.

Requesting accommodations

Medical offices often can address accessibility concerns when they are aware of your needs before an appointment. Speaking with the office manager ahead of time can help ensure that everyone is aware of accommodation needs, appropriate equipment is available, and time is appropriately reserved.

Accommodations may include:

• Height-adjustable or motorized exam table
• Patient lifts (e.g., Hoyer lift)
• Wheelchair-accessible scale
• Larger exam room
• Alternative leg supports (stirrups)

“There are lots of ways to do a pelvic exam,” Dr. Thornburg says. “Some offices have stirrups that are more supportive — almost like ski boots — instead of the traditional footrests. You may be able to bring a support person, or the office can arrange for staff members to assist in positioning your legs.”

It may also be possible to do an exam in a reclining wheelchair without transferring to a table.

Telehealth may be particularly helpful for women with mobility limitations. Some practices can conduct initial consultations, discuss results, or provide preconception counseling virtually, reducing the number of in-person visits required.

Asking questions

One of Dr. Thornburg’s strongest recommendations is to call the office before scheduling an appointment to share your accessibility needs.

Questions to ask the medical office include:

• Is wheelchair-accessible parking available?
• Does the building have automatic door openers?
• Do you have a wheelchair-accessible scale?
• Do you have a height-adjustable exam table?
• How do you assist women who cannot transfer independently?
• Do you have alternatives to traditional stirrups?
• Can I request a longer appointment?
• Can staff assist with filling out paperwork?
• Are telehealth visits available for consultations or follow-up discussions?

Finding an OB/GYN

Finding the right provider often starts with asking for recommendations.

Consider reaching out to:

• Your neurologist or neuromuscular specialist
• Your primary care physician
• A physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist
• Hospital-affiliated OB/GYN practices and academic medical centers, which have more robust accessibility guidelines and equipment
• Local disability organizations, support groups, and online neuromuscular communities, which may have opinions/lists of recommended offices
• Other women living with neuromuscular diseases

Taking the next step

No provider or practice will be perfect for every woman. You may need to meet with more than one OB/GYN to find someone you feel comfortable with.

Dr. Thornburg recommends identifying your top priorities — whether that’s accessibility, location, scheduling flexibility, or provider experience — and focusing on finding the best overall fit.

“I liken it to buying a house — you may not be able to have the pool and the walk-in closet,” she says. “Find the one that is the best available choice for you.”

Maggie Callahan is a frequent contributor to Quest Magazine.