Pediatrician Question

2moms2b · August 2012

So our OB called today and asked if we could bring the information of our preferred pediatrician to our next appointment on Monday. They said we are not locked into this decision but they just need to get one on record.

This got me thinking...We have someone in mind but I guess my question is what it the process and when should we start it. We are going to give this doctor's information on Monday and let the OB's office know we have not even contacted them yet but have confirmed they are accepting new patients.

So what is the process of selecting a pediatrician and how do we go about this? I would assume we must contact their office at some point during pregnancy (probably much later like around 30 weeks).

Thanks ladies!

2brides · August 2012

Most pediatricians offices hold a new parent/new patient orientation/FAQ thing 1x a month. We attended this when I was about 32w, I think. they tell you about hours/philosophies/etc.

When we delivered, we told the hospital which pediatrician we had chosen. Our pediatrician group also saw their patients at the birth hospital so we saw them then and they scheduled the f/u appointment for after discharge.

I think it is strange that your OB office is asking for this information so early.

mrsemily08 · August 2012

We picked our pedi sight unseen b/c 1) it is 1 mile from our house 2) they have evening hours and 3) two coworkers recommended them.

We like them, but if we didn't, we'd just find another practice.

leapgirl8 · August 2012

Since we didn't know anybody here when we moved (except my parents, who obviously have no need for a pediatrician), I just Googled for pediatrician reviews in my town and then checked out websites. I found one that seemed to have good policies (24 hour nurse assistance, evening and weekend hours, etc.) and we went to their new patient orientation. We didn't have to tell them beforehand that we wanted to use them - they said that they just call the local hospitals every morning to see if any new babies have arrived with their practice indicated as the pediatrician. We told the hospital who we wanted and lo and behold, our pediatrician showed up at the hospital each day of our stay to check the babies and answer questions. The whole thing was really kind of magical, and well-handled. We've been very happy with the care since coming home too.

2moms2b · August 2012

I thought it was a bit strange too!!! I asked about this and was told that with multiple pregnancies they want all details preferably ironed out by 18 to 20ish weeks. This way should something happen earlier than expected we are not making these decisions under duress and we can focus on us and the babies leaving the details to them. I can see that I guess. They require us to register with the hospital by 25 weeks so I guess we would need to decide by then.

We picked a ped office based on the feedback of one of my good friends not to mention they are affiliated with Texa.s Children.s. I think I am going to give them a call in a couple of weeks and see what meet the doctor options they have. I was just really confused about the process of do you meet them before the babies are born or just give them a call once they arrive.

I also want to be absolutely certain this doctor understand the dynamics of our family and is ok with that. (I find it really sad to have to worry about this but totally different topic)

Thank you ladies as always!

2mommiesinoh · August 2012

I was asked while in labor/being prepped for my c-section who mine was. I ahd one in mind but I had just never called. Embarrassed So my process was to call while my less than 24 hour old baby was napping next to me in the hospital and asking if they took new patients/making an appointment for her first newborn check...

Honestly though as soon as I met her I loved her and I am glad things worked out the way they did.

Oh I had picked them because they were super close to our house, had evening/weekend hours, and took our insurance. Even after we moved 20+ minutes away I still kept her!

thiswillbe · August 2012

Uhhhh... we picked ours on the fly sitting at the L&D counter checking in because we thought I might be in labor. I seriously looked up a post on the bump to get 2brides' rec, googled the practice to get a doc's name to put on the form, then waited for them to show up to check on us at the hospital. We met 3 or 4 pediatricians from the practice during our hospital stay, and chose the one we liked the best to be our primary pediatrician. We've been very happy with her, but as a pp said, if we hadn't liked her/them, we would have switched.

If I were looking for a new one today, I'd look for things I find helpful about our practice, especially morning walk-in slots and weekend hours.

TaylorandMel · August 2012

I'm biased because back in the day I worked with/near a group of pediatricians. We chose one of the docs there because:

1. I knew she was good, 2. She's a lesbian has several kids of her own, and 3. Her availability the fact that it's a large practice approx 10 providers, so if she's out I imagine there's no issue with one of her partners seeing them.

It was convenient to skip the meet greet, since I knew her lucky to have already met her because she has a closed practice and wouldn't take us otherwise.

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