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Pediatrician or Family Care Doc?

Kbutters12Kbutters12
in Babies: 0 - 3 Months

Hi Ladies,

I was just wondering what your opinion was on this matter. I am due to deliver my first child Sept 20th. I have spent a good amount of time researching and interviewing pediatricians over the summer. Well, I can't find one that I feel comfortable with. They all seem to be the same. I have a primary care physician who I love and trust. My question is, do I have to take my baby to a pediatrician or is a primary/family doc ok?

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Re: Pediatrician or Family Care Doc?

  • lilies&orchidslilies&orchids member
    Yes, it is ok to go to a family practice, but after doing this with my older DS1 (he was 3yo when we started going there), we decided that we needed to go back to a pedi when DS2 came along because the family doc couldn't always squeeze us in for a same day sick appt and I like that our pedi has separate entrances for sick and well visits. Also, ask if your family doc has rights to the hospital since you will need to be seen by a pedi while you're there. I'm not really sure how that works with a family doc... You may have to be seen by one of the hospital pedis while you're there. What were some of the things you didn't like about the ones you met with?
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  • Kbutters12Kbutters12
    I guess I felt like everyone's answers were based on what the "higher ups" in medicine say. It seems like all the peds are just regurgitating what they read in a book and not what they've actually learned. I want someone who does their own research and makes their own decisions based on the patient, not just "what's always been done." I have concerns regarding vaccines and over prescribing meds. I just want someone to talk to about these concerns who doesn't just say, "Well the AAP says this..." or "The CDC says that..." Maybe it sounds all hippie-dippie but I just want a doc who thinks for themselves, like my family doc.
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  • ASmallWonderASmallWonder member
    Most pedis will give you the same information because it's what's been vetted and what is based in scientific fact.  Children are not little adults so for me, I want a specialist, just like I would if I had cancer or a heart condition.  I'm not saying family doctors can't treat a child but I want someone whose only job requirement is to stay current on a smaller amount of information.
    Formerly known as elmoali :)

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  • thatoneredheadthatoneredhead member
    edited September 2013
    I do bili checks in a small hospital so I get to see what new mama's decide for doctors. Pedis are far more popular. The younger family docs get alot more children. This could be because the older docs have a bigger patient load and arent as available. 

    My pedi is brand new. Im talking 3 years on his own and 2 when we started going to him. He is up to date, thorough, really gentle as in he recommends baby wearing, BFing, and natural remedies where they are appropriate. He is a kid doctor and you can tell. The one time we were in the ER with a rough'n'tumble ER doc who treats heart attacks, I wasnt impressed. 
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  • SunnyMuffinSunnyMuffin member
    We use a family doctor, so my 2 kids and I all see the same person.  In my area peds are only by referral if your kid has some kind of chronic or acute problem.  I live in Canada but I know not all areas are like this.
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  • ilovetolaughilovetolaugh member
    We do a family doctor. He's awesome with kids, I really like seeing him, and I trust him more than any ped I've met. Maybe things would be different if I didn't have a great relationship with him already.

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  • JCWhiteyJCWhitey member
    Family doctor.  I used my family doctor as my OB, too.  I like having one doctor for everything.  She knows my health history, she knows my husband's, and she know the details of my son's birth so she pretty much know everything and I feel could better use this information should DS ever have a health issue.  It's also nice that when DS goes in for an appointment I can bring up anything going on with me at the same appointment.

    B born 7/15/13, C born 3/2/15, #3 on the way May '17


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  • TiffanyBerryTiffanyBerry member
    Late to this, and usually not on this board, but we went with our family doc, because it's REALLY nice to have all three of us see the same person.  She gets to know us as a family, and can talk to any of us about... any of us! (Given that we have signed the appropriate forms, of course. :) )
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