Thinking about pediatrician?

Amanda&EricB

While watching tv, something made me think about having to find a pediatrician. Is this too early to be thinking of this? What is the process? Where to even start?

Geekchick921

This was easier for me because I've worked at a hospital for 5 years, and part of that time I was at an answering service for a lot of the doctors in the area that are on staff at this hospital and a few others nearby.  I had some experience dealing with a bunch of the pediatrician offices around here because of that. 

I don't think it's too early to start.  I know some people interview pediatricians, but because of the aforementioned interaction I had with a lot of them, I didn't bother with that.  Even so, you'll probably want a group with convenient hours that isn't too far from you.  You'll also want to call them and see if they'll be accepting new patients. 

When you have the baby the hospital staff will ask you what pediatrician you will want to use.  Someone on staff will be coming to see you newborn in the few days you're there, so you'll probably want to choose a doctor/group with privileges there.  The website for the hospital should have a directory of doctors there are on staff there.  That's one place to start.  You can look them up and see if they have any reviews on places like Vitals or Healthgrades after that.  You could also ask around if any of your friends have kids and if they like their pedi, or ask your local board here on TB.  They might have some recs.  GL!

kimandjared

With DS around 30 weeks, I realized I hadn't even thought about a pedi. So at 35 weeks I was waddling around visiting different pedi's. I got recommendations from friends and family and made a list then checked to see which ones accepted our insurance. From there I just called and told them I wanted to meet with the pedi and ask a few questions. I can't remember what they called it, but they were free visits. I think I visited 5 before I chose who I liked. Don't wait that long:) I'm sure you can start any time!

Cotton

Just a couple things to add on this topic. Hope this is helpful:

We interviewed a couple doctors before we had our first baby. We picked the one we thought was the best. We figured out after just one trip to see her with our newborn we were totally WRONG!! The office was dirtier and disorganized and had lazy staff and they actually lost our baby's file before our visit?! And the DR didn't show up at the appt time! Oh my! Anyway, plans changed and we found the BEST doctor/office after that. And everything is just fine, no big deal. That first visit was nothing in the grand scheme.

Also, the doctor/office we chose, over time, stopped visiting the hospital where I always like to deliver. I thought I was going to either change hospitals or change peds, but, nope, neither. It was actually NO big deal at all to have the house ped check on my newborn and the records got sent to the office and my doctor called the house doc when they needed to and everything, again, was just fine!

So good luck. It's nice to get this worked out ahead of time, but I wouldn't stress too much about it either. btw, we ended up finding our good pediatrician by a friend's recommendation. Friend of a friend, actually, and we should've asked them sooner

Elizabeth

 

KeriW

My Dr. handed me a form at the last visit about picking an Ped Dr.. We have to go to a Ped Dr. and have them sign it saying they will accept the baby at time of birth. If we don't submit the form to the hospital, then we just get the PED Dr. thats on call for that evening. I don't know if all hospitals are like this but it might be something to check into. I would have hated to just have the on call Dr. as I'm a nurse at the hospital and there are a few peds I wouldn't want touching my kid.

marriedtoeric

I don't think it's too early.  One of my gf's is having a baby about 3 months before us, and she's doing lots of research.  My plan is to pick her brain once she's done (we live near each other), and go in for a visit with her top 2 choices to see which we like better.  (I'm shameless!)

Amanda&EricB

Thanks for your advice, everyone! My MIL is a labor and delivery nurse at the hospital we're delivering at, so I might ask her what ped she might recommend. After all, she gave me the name of my OB and I love that practice. I agree that it's not time to stress about it yet. I will just do some research and see what I can find!

SusieBW

I haven't thought too much about it yet, but I liked the advice that the nurse at my OB office gave me - make sure it's close to home/convenient for you, that they have hours that are convenient for you, and otherwise, talk to friends with kids who generally think the way that you do, and get recommendations from them. 

My OB has a list of pedis that she recommends, and I love her style, so I'm probably going to start there and also ask some friends in our area who they would recommend.

njmommaterp

With my DD, I called Drs about 2 months prior. Two of them were on the list from my ob and the third, was also on that list but a friend recommended them too (we ended up going with them).

Out of the three, we only met with one (the one we ended up choosing). One of the other ones, told me they don't meet with parents-to-be anymore and the third, told me to come in, two-weeks before my due date. I asked, what if I have this baby, a month early....she didn't answer!