Choosing a pediatrician - dumb question

maraclaire · September 2011

Hi,

I have to bring the baby to a pediatrician on it's third day, and the midwife keeps asking if I've already chosen a pediatrician -- I know I should have just asked her, but I didn't, so I'm asking you all: does "choosing" the pediatrician just mean I should figure out where I'd like to go? Do I need to call the pediatrician, even though I obviously don't know exactly when the baby will be born or what date will be day three? What does choosing a pediatrician mean, exactly?

Thanks!

Bashert628 · September 2011

We called the hospital and asked for recommendations and then we interviewed those doctors before LO was born. They came to the hospital after I gave birth to check on LO an we saw them multiple times the first few weeks because he had jaundice.

CoreymaeW · September 2011

i have the same question, silly me, before i got PG i never knew i had to pick one before the baby got here

Brie2006 · September 2011

I researched some doctors online and found one practice that I really liked and picked one of the doctors from that practice.

I called the office to set up a prenatal appointment and met with the doctor. We really liked him and the practice so decided to not try and meet with anyone else.

When I deliver DS, I call the pediatrician and one of the doctors from the practice will come to the hospital to check DS out and then I will have a follow up visit at the office when DS is around 2 days old.

KrisM86 · September 2011

I got recommendations for pediatricians from a few friends and my MWs. I met with and interviewed 3, and then chose the one I felt most comfortable with.

I think it is important to meet with a few pediatricians prior to LO's arrival in order to make sure you are on the same page they are regarding breastfeeding/formula feeding, vaccinations, when to give medications, etc. You also should make sure they have policies for after hours emergencies, what hospitals they work with in case LO ever needs to be admitted, etc. Once you find someone you like, make sure they know your EDD and call them when LO arrives to set up the first appointment. GL!

tmmckenney · September 2011

"Choosing" your pediatrician not only means where you will take baby after he/she's born but also where they will send all of the test results and discharge summaries. They understand that you do not know when your baby will be born, so usually they are pretty flexible with new mommies. I'm 36 weeks and my husband and I went and met with one to make sure that we are comfortable with who we are choosing. I asked my OBGYN for recommendations and she gave us his name and he is simply awesome!!! You may want to meet with your pediatrician before hand to make sure that you 2 are on the same page with everything. Since we are first time parents, he gave us a lot of really good tips and answered all of our questions before we could even ask them.

At the hospital, they usually have on on staff to perform all the regular tests so your pedi. shouldn't have to come there. Just make sure that you are obviously selecting a peditrician within your insurance network and make sure they are accepting new patients.

Good luck and I hope you find one that you are comfortable with! Big Smile

cfemiani · September 2011

We interviewed a few different pediatricians in the area when I was around 20 weeks. We were able to ask questions and get to know their policies. After we chose the doctor, he told us that the next thing to do was to call them the day the baby is born, and we will come in within 3 days of LO coming home. We've already filled out all of the paperwork (well, as much as we can, since LO isn't exactly here to answer ALL questions about the birth), but we aren't technically patients at the pediatricians office until we go in with our LO.

brewcitybride · September 2011

We picked one out based on referrals from friends. I did contact the pediatrician's office to make sure they were accepting new patients and told them when I was due. But that was all the contact I had. When I registered at my hospital prior to giving birth, I wrote down the pediatricians contact info. After you have the baby, the hospital notifies the pediatrician, and they come see you in the hospital about 24 hours after you give birth. Then we went in for our DD's first full check up at the pediatrician's office when she was three days old.

stardust317 · September 2011

My hospital primarily uses 2 different pediatric practices. I was given information about both of them, and asked around for some recommendations. I planned to meet with them, but was then put on bed rest, so I think we're going to use the practice that most of my friends recommended. If I have qualms after discharge from the hospital, then I'll change pediatricians.

LibbyLouWho · September 2011

I picked our pedi based on recommendations from friends. I contacted her office and they said to just let the hospital know we chose them so they would send over the records. We will call the office when LO is here and schedule her first appointment for a few days after birth. We decided not to interview anyone as I find it hard to tell if I will like a doctor before I have actual expreience with them as a patient. I figure we can always change later if needed.

Leap08 · September 2011

We picked a family practice doctor based on referrals. I called his office, mentioned the referral, and asked if he was accepting new patients. I then set up an appointment to meet with him to make sure we were a good fit, and to kind of talk through what happens when the baby is born and after birth. I like him a lot. Usually the doctor you choose will come to examine the baby in the hospital (ours did). And then you seem them sometime the week after the baby is born. Our hospital asks who the baby's doctor is when you check in at L & D.

blu-eyedwife · September 2011

We had to pick a pediatrician before pre-registering at the hospital so they know who to contact when the baby is born for the initial assessment. Although, since our pediatrician is part of a 5 doctor practice, the hospital will contact whoever the on-call pediatrician is for that assessment and then we'll take LO to see our actual pediatrician 3 days after birth.

xtencornfield · September 2011

Our clinic and hospital system (all owned by the same organization) works differently. We chose our pedi based on referrals and notified them at the hospital of our selection (our clinic does not do pre-interviews). The pedi on call sees all of the newborns and actually, our first appointment 2 days after discharge wasn't even with our pedi. It's with whomever is available. If she happened to be available, of course they would schedule with her but it's generally unlikely that you will see your actual pedi for the first appt in our clinic. It's kind of weird but works out fine.

angelina477 · September 2011

It just means to pick out who you will use when the baby comes. Some people do research and schedule meetings to see if they like the pedi or not. Its up to you. We chose a pedi based on the medical group and amount of pedi's available on a daily basis. I didn't want to have to wait forever to see a doc when DD was sick. But it is important to find a primary pedi who you think you can trust to give you advice and your baby medical treatments.

amyc216 · September 2011

I asked my friends on FB for recommndations on peds in my area. They pretty much all said the same practice so I called them and they invited me to a meet & greet one afternoon to meet the doctor and go on a tour. The doctor said to call to set up an appointment either when I'm at the hospital or when we get home. I put their pamphlet in my hospital bag so I'll remember.

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