Is anyone NOT meeting with a pediatrician first?

[Deleted User] · August 2012

I will automatically be going to the medical group I already do. The closest office to my house, where my and DH?s Dr is only has one Pediatrician. Both my sister and cousin use him and absolutely love him. Both have worked for this medical group and encountered other peds and agree he is the best. So basically that made our decision.

However I still felt like I should meet with him prior. Well today I learned that, to do that the meeting must be at 8:30am in the morning Mon- Fri. That is the only time he has these meet and greet appointments. Its very difficult for myself and especially DH to get off of work at that time.

So, I?m thinking why bother? I already know that is who I want and he does not require a consultation first. However it feels kinds strange picking him without meeting him first.

Thoughts?

LollyBug18 · August 2012

I didn't meet with our pedi before picking her at the suggestion of our L&D nurse after the first pedi we "picked" (who I also didn't meet with) didn't show at the hospital after DD was born. (Did all that make sense?) But anyway, we didn't meet with her and we're very happy with her. I hope she's able to be our pedi for a long time.

cco42 · August 2012

We didn't meet with ours when our first child was born. I figure, if you go to your first appointment with baby and you decide you don't like the Dr then you can switch! No big deal. Most peds are really great whether you go with NP or MD since they can have really sucky hours and don't make as much $$$ as other physicians you know they are doing it because they really love it! Just my two cents.

starfish717 · August 2012

Our pediatric office doesn't do "meet and greets" but they could do a phone interview if we wanted. We've heard great things about the pediatrician we chose, but if we end up not liking her for some reason we can always switch.

[Deleted User] · August 2012

cco42:
We didn't meet with ours when our first child was born. I figure, if you go to your first appointment with baby and you decide you don't like the Dr then you can switch! No big deal. Most peds are really great whether you go with NP or MD since they can have really sucky hours and don't make as much $$$ as other physicians you know they are doing it because they really love it! Just my two cents.

This is what I was thinking, great thanks

ladybugsmum · August 2012

I am just going to take the baby to the pedi I went to when I was younger. He was a great doctor and very good with kids. And the nurses in his office were always so friendly. But, if I didn't end up deciding to go with him, I probably wouldn't have done a meet and greet anyways. I just would have based my decision on the first visit.

Caseyk1127 · August 2012

For DS we met with a pedi at a practice that has 8 pedi's .... they just have you meet with the main guy. Well he was alright but we had already decided based off of recommendations and other reasons we'd use the practice. Typically they rotate you to whomever is available the day of your appt. They do not however visit the hospital I delivered in. So after deliver the hospital called and made an appt for 2 days later for us. The next morning after discharge we had issues and called them and go in with the pedi on call and LOVED him. So now whenever DS needs to go in we call and ask to see him and just drive to whichever of the 3 locations he's at ... they are all fairly central to us. This time for DD we will have her, then call and make an appt with the pedi DS sees.

143BabyCakes · August 2012

I'm glad you posted this. I have been feeling apprehensive about this "interviewing a pediatrician" thing. I don't know why. I have good gut instincts when it comes to people, but I feel like I'm not doing the right thing if I don't interview a few doctors. Maybe I am feeling overwhelmed. I'm a FTM after all. So far this is the only thing during my pregnancy that I have avoided. Any advice or tips?

Laura_Elaine · August 2012

We have a family doctor, not specifically a pedi.

He was my doc when I was younger technically, he still is my doc for all nonOB/GYN issues and though I haven't seen him as my doc for years, I didn't meet with him first.

I just called the office before DS was born to make sure he was taking new patients, and that he accepted my insurance, and each subsequent child I have is automatically listed as his patient.

abfromva2 · August 2012

I am getting recommendations and will not interview beforehand. If we don't click I will change but we will be moving when she is 6 months old so this first person is not long term anyways.

xxaliciaxx · August 2012

I have not been looking since I will probably wind up using the same pediatrition as the one that sees them the day they are born in the hospital. It is just easier for me this way since I know they are covered by my weird insurance.

CarolynTheRed · August 2012

My husband's GP is a family practitioner, and part of a group of 8 doctors and associated professionals a five minute walk from our house. We're just going with him. I've never met him, but husband likes the practice, and well, five minute walk.

AnnieH32 · August 2012

I would check on the following and then decide if you need to interview.

1. Can you choose which ped. will see your baby at the hospital?

2. Are you having a boy? Plan to circ? If yes, do you want it done at hospital? Does OB do it, Ped, other?

I didn't interview our son's ped and it has been fine. Unless you have some extreme views that you are worried will be a potential problem, it sounds like you'll be fine if you are already happy with the practice overall.

fusionbride · August 2012

we won't be interviewing pedis. I can read their profiles online and will pick one based on that, I can easily change if I don't like the first one we end up with.

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