Do you go to a male OB/GYN?

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Forum -> Judaism -> Halachic Questions and Discussions

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View latest: 24h 48h 72h

Do you care what the relations of your doctor is?

I have a male ob doctor or see both

60%

[ 64 ]

I have a female ob doctor or midwife

28%

[ 30 ]

I have asked a Rav if it's halachically permissible to see a male doctor

[ 3 ]

I have not asked a Rav if it's halachically permissable to see a male doctor

[ 9 ]

Total Votes : 106

Merrymom

Tue, Jun 30 2009, 2:23 pm

Years ago there weren't many female OB doctors but now that there are is there a halachic problem with going to a male doctor if you can find someone just as good? Has anyone that sees a male doctor ever asked a Rav? I used to go to a gorgeous male doctor but when he gave me an internal exam I felt totally violated and crush-out the window! I since have gone only to midwives (hospital births). I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts or knowledge on the subject.

octopus

Tue, Jun 30 2009, 3:43 pm

I go to a male ob/gyn. I like him because he is very professional, has a very blah voice, so whatever bogus question you ask him, he never sounds surprised. I have never felt violated. Maybe I would be more at ease with a woman, but at this point, if I'm happy with someone, I am not risking finding someone else.

sky

Tue, Jun 30 2009, 4:12 pm

My rav (yeshivish/litvish) actually recommended my male OBGYN to me about 4 years ago. I don't think he recommends him anymore but still thinks he is good. So I assume there is no problem.

chocolate moose

Tue, Jun 30 2009, 4:45 pm

For at least the past 20 years there have been female ob/gyns in NYC. I never asked the rov, but I have had female drs for a loooooooong time.

FloridaMama

Tue, Jun 30 2009, 4:46 pm

Never asked a shaila and never thought about asking one.
When I got recommendations from a frum organization, the ones they recommended were male.

OOTBubby

Tue, Jun 30 2009, 4:50 pm

When I needed a new gynecologist around 15 years ago (and knew at that point it would only be for gynecology and not OB) I asked a woman in town (who was the head kallah teacher, in fact was mine) who was considered knowledgeable in this area. She gave me the names of 2 male physicians who she said were the ones recommended by our city's Dayan. I subsequently used one of them who was a frum male who I even knew socially. While at first I was a little uncomfortable (but used him because I was told he'd be best based on my specific needs), he quickly put me at ease. I used him until he left town, and then continued to use a male recommended by him. On one occasion I had to see that male physician's female associate and was not comfortable with her as she seemed to me to be very young and unsure of herself.

dora

Tue, Jun 30 2009, 5:44 pm

I just switched to a new male dr. on the recommendation of my female gp, both are frum. The gyn. is also younger then me, I felt a little uncomfortable at first but his knowledge and understanding won me over.

flowerpower

Tue, Jun 30 2009, 5:54 pm

I went to a male was told it's fine bec the door is always sorta open and the nurse walks in and out.

drumjj

Tue, Jun 30 2009, 5:57 pm

at the moment I have a women gyn not an ob but that is bec I was told she is a good one, if I would have had a male recommendation I would have gone there. when I had my baby in hospital I saw many male obs. I dont know if u have to ask a rav halachically if its allowed bec its a medical thing.

NotInNJMommy

Tue, Jun 30 2009, 6:01 pm

My regular dr. is male, and my OB currently is female. Both my children were delivered by men (b'hasgachah pratis, that's who was on call then). Lechatchila, I'd prefer a woman, but if expertise and comfort level are more important to me than gender. I've had female drs. I'm not so comfortable with for various reasons, and male drs that I trust implicitly.

ChutzPAh

Tue, Jun 30 2009, 10:29 pm

I believe that is only a problem with certain religious muslims, not Jews.

amother

Tue, Jun 30 2009, 11:27 pm

I did not specifically ask a shaila from my Rav, but my Rav is my FIL and my MIL goes to a male OB/GYN so the question never came up. I dont know which box to choose

I prefer male OBs. I felt so weird the first time I had a female doctor and she felt up my boobs during a breast exam. They have to be pleasant looking, not to ugly and not too handsome. Now I just want the best doctor available, one I dont have to wait 2-4 months to get an appointment with, and someone who is up to date with current research and information.

(anon cause I mention my MIL and OB/GYN in the same sentence)

Ruchel

Wed, Jul 01 2009, 3:18 am

I have asked a rav, and heard psaks from other rabbanim (including gadol R' Rottenberg of Paris). Any professional opposite gender touch is kosher, be it doctor or hairdresser etc. You should take the best one (doctor) and if you can't have a same relations hairdresser then opposite is fine. You can also be a doctor or hair dresser for opposite relations.

sarahd

Wed, Jul 01 2009, 6:16 am

I never asked a shaila because I know it isn't a problem to see a male doctor.

shabbatiscoming

Wed, Jul 01 2009, 6:21 am

never asked and I go to a male OBGYN.

can I ask, why would it be a problem to go to a male doc even if there was a female doc that was just as good? I dont get why there would be a problem.

ChutzPAh

Wed, Jul 01 2009, 7:40 pm

I'm on the other side of the coin. I touch men (and ladies) all day.

Flowerpot

Wed, Jul 01 2009, 8:37 pm

funny to see this thread now

I use a female dr. just becase I heard she was very good nothing to do with a shayla.

and today I went to have a special sono done and the dr. was a male. it felt very funny.

ruthla

Thu, Jul 09 2009, 1:46 pm

I prefer going to a female doctor. However, I've been examined by male doctors in the past- generally if I was having a medical emergency and couldn't wait for a female doctor. It never occurred to me that there would be any halachic problem with going to a male doctor, no matter what his specialty or what kind of exam I needed.

I've never asked a rav directly about this, but I did ask a trusted female friend who was herself the daughter of a rabbi.In fact, she even made an appointment for me with a male GYN (literally calling every OB/GYN in the phone book to see if one had a cancellation that day) when I was having an emergency.

I am, however, more comfortable with female doctors in general, so I prefer to use a female doctor (GYN, PCP, etc) when possible. But I see that as a "personal preference" rather than a "halachic requirement."

goodluck

Thu, Jul 09 2009, 1:48 pm

female

Raisin

Thu, Jul 09 2009, 2:35 pm

I use female midwives because I think they do a better job. I also see a female gp. She is a bit grumpy so I might change. if I needed a specialist I would look for the best, male or female.

apparantly nowadays more females then males are graduating medical school.

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