Ped. consults before the birth?

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So the baby books say you should meet and discuss some key points with several pediatricians before deciding on one.  How exactly do these visits go?  Have any of you done this?  I understand if you are expecting a baby that may be high risk, or if your child may have a disability that you already know if, but if you have no idea what's coming out, what exactly do you ask or discuss at these visits?

In addition, how do I handle the cost of these visits?  Are they no-charge as the doctor isn't seeing a patient, or do I pay a typical co-pay (per my insurance) and I am treated as the patient?  I hear of people doing this, but I honestly am clueless about it.  Help?

MaxxRoyer

Definately go to the doctor's office before the birth!  I could never get with the doctor that I picked (well, she was in network with insurance) and it was a nightmare the first time I brought my son there!  He was exaclty 1 week old and I was still recovering from my c-section.  When we showed up at the office I knew we had made a mistake.  The waiting room was overcrowded.  There were no chairs left, people were EVERYWHERE.  There were signs all over the place that read "We don't know how long your wait will be so don't ask"...I am not kidding!  When I went to the window to check him in they had tinted glass that was closed.  So I stood there and had to wait for someone to finally open the window.  Hubby and I sat down and waited.  About 20 minutes into it I started to cry b/c I knew what a huge mistake this was.  Pulled myself together and waited another 25 minutes.  Looked at the clock and realized that it was 10:45 and his appointment was for 10:00 (and they had only called like 2 people back the entire time we were there).  I went to the window and again had to wait for them to open it and acknowledge me.  I told the girl that he was 1 week old and his appointment was for 10:00 were they running behind.  With a huge attitude she said "yeah"...I proceeded to ask if she knew how long it would be (I mean he was a week old and I felt like crap!).  Her reposonse was "no, we are waiting on the nurses".  That was it I snapped!  I said "well, you can go ahead and scratch us off b/c we are leaving".  I grabbed hubby and baby and left in tears!  Trust me you don't want that to happen to you, it was horrible!

As far as cost, they shouldn't charge you anything.  You can ask whatever questions you want.  I know a lot of people ask questions about the immunizations and what to expect the first couple of visits to the office.

Best of luck!!!

May524

I know a lot of people go, but we didn't. My neice goes to the same practice (she is now 10) and I've been with her to the pedi a few times.

MrsRhodes2b

i interviewed a few, went with the highest rec pedi, and still changed with in the 1st year....i felt dumb for the interview process but found it helpful to see their views on certain things, breastfeeding, cosleeping, vaccinations etc........i would rec it!

Mrs.Saxy

the dr we saw didn't charge.  I recommend it because we discovered that waiting 2 hours to see him was NORMAL.  After the first well baby visit we switched.

Ask about their after hours, weekend, holiday schedules.  If there's more than 1 dr in the practice can you see whomever you want.  How would they feel if you declined the 1 year shots (we got them fyi).

mlkenned

I was also interested if anyone has done the dr interviews.  What dr(s) do yall recommend?