Pedi-Doctor questions!

Smiley_grl52

Ok! So, I know it's a good idea to have a pedi in mind and on standby when you bring that baby home. When do I need to find my pedi and what do I say when I talk to them? Do I just say, "hello. I'm So and So, and we are adopting. Put us on the list and be ready because I have no clue when we are getting our baby."???   What is the best way to go about talking to the doctor's office about this? I need lots of advice here. I do have a pedi in mind. It's the one my SIL uses for her kids. Is it best to call, or go in and talk to the doctor? Anything that will help! TIA!

MrsKolasa

We called the pedi we had in mind since we knew her through other people already. I just told her who were are and that we were pursuing domestic adoption and asked her a few questions about her views on different things. We rarely use her since Luke mostly sees our family practicioner. With him it was easier since he was the one who did our physicals for our homestudy.

 

Smiley_grl52

I would like to use mine and my DH's doctor, but he only does adults. He said it was easier for him that way. That would have been so much easier....but ofcourse....it's got to be difficult. lol

Dr.Loretta

I would just call and tell them you were recommended by your SIL. You're pursuing domestic infant adoption and will need a pedi at some future date. Ask if they want you to come in for an appt/consult or if there are any problems with you calling for an appt as a new patient. Some places will just tell you to call when you need to, others need you in the system, as it were.

If you're concerned about the dr and you being on the same wavelength, you can make an appt and talk to them about baby stuff.

We were lucky in that we go to a family practice, and our dr treats all of us

silliestbunny

FWIW-  most peds are use to similar calls from expectant parents.  Many have a format or a slot open to do "new patient interviews" (with you being the one conducting the interview).  Take a list of questions and concerns.
A question I'd add is "are you available for a phone consult if we have an emergency placement and need to make a decision about medical issues?"

lolo2011

You can call and set up a quick appointment.  I was nervous calling and did not know what to even say and they were so great they had me come in and meet the doctor.  We talked for about 20 minutes and she talked about different drugs and vaccines and all types of things.  She agreed to look at our paperwork if and when we were matched and understood the urgency of it.    The whole office was excited for me and all looking forward to when we are placed.  (My doctor got a copy of my failed matched and called me right away with what her thoughts were on the meds the birthmother was on.  This match did fail and they never asked me for any money or sent me a bill.)

It is more common than we think.  Good luck and don't be nervous

baze2

My brother will be our Pedi...however, I asked him jokingly the other night..I said "Hey should we set up an interview or something". He said you would be surprised. He does at least 5 interviews a week from expectant parents and adoptive parents. His favorite are the adoptive parents. He said that "(WE) have such a different set of concerns." He said placements are fun and really the pedi needs to look at the whole picture. 

He said he has received urgent phone calls about placements at weird times. Even if he is not on call..he asks to be paged. It is a relationship with a pedi. He wants to be involved in the decision process. So the parents are truly informed. SO COOL to me. I have been there when his pager has gone off not realizing it was probably someone like me! Maybe it was, Maybe it wasn't...but I am going with it. HIPPA Rules you know!

Get a pedi, interview him/her and make sure you are on the same page. It is very common according to a pedi!!!

Good luck 

Smiley_grl52

Thanks ladies for the input. If you can come up with more questions you think I should ask, let me know. At this point, since we aren't matched, I really don't know what to ask. We were told of a situation but the BM was not certain she wanted to go the adoption route yet. She is bipolar and ADHD. I do already know some about those. Anything else yall can come up with will be appreciated. Thanks yall!

Dr.Loretta

Smiley_grl52:

Thanks ladies for the input. If you can come up with more questions you think I should ask, let me know. At this point, since we aren't matched, I really don't know what to ask. We were told of a situation but the BM was not certain she wanted to go the adoption route yet. She is bipolar and ADHD. I do already know some about those. Anything else yall can come up with will be appreciated. Thanks yall!

I'd ask about office hours, how hard it is to get a quick appt if something is wrong, if they have an answering service, etc.

If you're following certain practices you're concerned about (delayed vaccinations, attachment parenting, co-sleeping, etc.) you may want to discuss with your dr to make sure you're on the same page from that perspective.

Other than that I can't really think of anything else. Pedi appts are pretty standard.

sw_in_kc

I called a pedi recommended by a friend. They had me come in for a "prenatal" appointment. I met with the doc and she talked about the schedule for appointments (1 week, 2 week, 2 month, etc) and gave me a handbook for their practice with guidelines, plus tips on lots of medical kids stuff, which has already come in handy. She also reviewed the walk in hours, when she is typically off and the on call schedule.

The only other thing I asked her was about formula preference. Some peditricians have a recommendation, so I wanted to use what she preferred.

I definitely recommend meeting with the doc, it made me more comfortable.

ryannat

I asked friends and neighbors for recommendations on pediatricians in the area. When I looked them up online I noticed that they all had a once a month informational meeting in the office.  I felt a little strange sitting in a room full of expectant moms, but I got over it real quick knowing I was doing something really important.  I also was so happy to find out several of the doctors in the practice had adopted, even the doctor that was leading the informational session that day.