Military Families

WWYD: Pediatrician for newborn

Hi ladies,

I'm currently in NJ and will stay until LO is about 2-3 weeks old (in June sometime). I'll then move to Jacksonville, NC to be with my husband. What should I do regarding pediatric care for LO? Should I find one in NJ and then find another in NC once I'm down there? Any and all advice is greatly appreciated as I am new to the military way of life (esp healthcare).

TIA! 

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Re: WWYD: Pediatrician for newborn

  • Are you on Prime or Standard and are you delivering at an MTF or civilian hospital/birth center or at home?

    I ask because I had my DD at home, my midwife and the RN came to me at my house for the first several visits to check up on me and baby. Then we didn't have any more appointments until our check in with her at 6 weeks. So baby didn't actually have a pediatrician until the 2 month well check and vaccinations.

    So if you're going to be in a hospital (civilian or military) your baby will likely be checked by the pediatrician on call that day. And then if you're moving when baby is only 2 or 3 weeks old you likely won't need the pediatrician again until that first well check. Unless there is a problem, in which case you go to urgent/emergent care.

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  • You will need someone to give LO a once-over after birth. That can be the midwife who delivers, or the pedi at the hospital. Other than that, you shouldn't need one until you get to FL. 

    However, it would be good to have one just in case. DS and I had a bit of a struggle getting BF going and he needed a couple of weight checks at the pedi in the first week. A midwife or LC could also have done it. (Actually, it was the LC at the pedi's office who saw us).  

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  • You need to do both. The baby should be seen within 48 hours after discharge, and at 2 weeks old. Prime or Standard, you can take the baby to a civilian for the first 60 days. Find a pedi now for both places. Once you deliver, call the pedi in J-ville to schedule an appointment for 2 weeks. If you aren't going to be there yet, schedule it for when the baby is a month old. While in NJ, schedule it right after delivery and 2 weeks if you are still there. Ask for the records before you leave.
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  • Thank you ladies for your words of wisdom. I have Standard currently and will be delivering in a civilian hospital. I guess it can't hurt to at least look for a pediatrician now just in case LO needs a check-up after the initial one at the hospital. I still have time before LO will make his grand entrance.
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  • Are you circumsizing? If so check to see if your hospital will do one while admitted  Ours didn't so that was done in the peds office. LO had an appt at 48 hours after discharge, 2 weeks, 3 weeks for circ and then 4 weeks for circ check up. 
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  • imageLace&Josh:
    Are you circumsizing? If so check to see if your hospital will do one while admitted  Ours didn't so that was done in the peds office. LO had an appt at 48 hours after discharge, 2 weeks, 3 weeks for circ and then 4 weeks for circ check up. 

    Thanks! I didn't even think of circ check ups. (So yes, LO is getting circumcised.) Guess it looks like I'll be looking for 2 peds in the coming months. 

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  • imageJ9andKev:

    imageLace&Josh:
    Are you circumsizing? If so check to see if your hospital will do one while admitted  Ours didn't so that was done in the peds office. LO had an appt at 48 hours after discharge, 2 weeks, 3 weeks for circ and then 4 weeks for circ check up. 

    Thanks! I didn't even think of circ check ups. (So yes, LO is getting circumcised.) Guess it looks like I'll be looking for 2 peds in the coming months. 

    You can also have it done at a urologist's office. On prime and in the first 60 days you don't need referrals and you don't pay a dime. I had DS's done at a urologist's office--I'd rather him see a specialist.

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