finding a pediatrician for our first baby

hollyuhler · March 2015

So this is my first pregnancy, I'm almost 27 weeks and have started thinking about pediatricians. When should I be finding one? Any suggestions on what to ask/look for? I don't even know where to start there's so many options and things to look at!

karaelaine1991 · March 2015

I'm a FTM too, I'm 26w5d and at my last appointment my OB said it was still a bit early, but she did recommend a pediatrician that their practice works closely with so I'll start with that. If you hunt around on the bump's website there is a list of questions to ask a pediatrician before the baby is born so you can kind of see if they're right for your family. Good luck!

iheartpancake · March 2015

My OBGYN is also giving me a list of recommendations at my 28 week appointment. You might also try the "local" threads if you're in a bigger city. I know it's been asked by a couple of people in mine and there's been some good suggestions!

KaLikeAWind · March 2015

I was wondering this too, but my problem is the reverse of a large city. Small town, there's not a lot of options. Makes the decision easier, having less options, but what if they all kinda suck or I don't really vibe with them? I plan on asking my Dr if she can recommend any that have traits I like. The lack of options means she should have a fair idea of their personalities and styles, at least.

lilitaliangirl · March 2015

I found asking for recommendations from friends and coworkers was a great resource for me. Unfortunately, the one MOST recommended wasn't taking new patients.

janat1717 · March 2015

I've joined some local parenting groups on Facebook of like minded people... Like the local attachment parenting group. Seeing their comments on the doctors they use has been really informative

ksimo6 · March 2015

My doctor is a family practitioner so I asked if she would take on our daughter as a patient. I have always been happy with her care and my daughter loves her.

devyns2nd · March 2015

My daughter sees my pediatrician. My sister still sees her too. I was lucky. She's great and still even prescribes me medication sometimes.

nicnnatesmom · March 2015

I'm lucky b/c my OB is married to my kids pediatrician. And he's fabulous. Makes my life super easy. Also my OB's sister is my GP. Lol. Yeah. They kept it all in the family!

valeriemarie24 · March 2015

I was actually just thinking about pediatricians earlier when I came out of my ultrasound. I think my hospital has a pediatrics department that they refer a lot of people to, but there are a couple others I've read good reviews about too. So I'll have to ask my doctor to see if there are any that they work directly with or recommend.

ElRuby · March 2015

We use the pediatrician I used as a kid... It's perfect

jessicaoneel · March 2015

Your OB may have recommendations.

karaelaine1991 · March 2015

Resurrecting this thread because I've hit a bit of a stumbling block in my pediatrician search. In the past month, I've been thinking a lot about finding a pediatrician for my baby, as I'm sure many of you are. I spoke with my OB at the end of February and she recommended a practice to me that, from the research I've been doing, seems to be generally well-regarded in my area. Great! However, when I called them recently to see what I need to do between now and baby's arrival, the office said that they don't initiate anything with patients until after the baby's born. They apparently do rounds in the hospital where I will deliver every day and after I deliver I can meet with one of their doctors and see how I feel about them. I'm not sure that I'm comfortable with this. As I said, they do come highly recommended, but I'd like to be able to sort of test the waters before baby comes, rather than wait til she's here and then be scrambling to find a pediatrician in the case that I'm not crazy about them when I meet with them.

So, my question is, do you think I should look for other pediatricians in the area and get one lined up now, or trust my OB and recommendations for this peds practice that I've found online and hope for the best? FTM so any input would be greatly appreciated!

dancegurl1118 · March 2015

I had the same issue. The pediatrician said there was an optional prenatal "meet and greet" other than that they just come to the hospital..I opted for the meeting only because it feels really informal not to fill out any forms or something, and to turn over care to someone I don't know (even though I know they come highly regarded).

jessieR358 · March 2015

I am going to the same office I went to as a child. Most of the doctors are new now and I have a meet and greet set up for next week. I would never go in blindly just knowing my personality and the fact that I am a medical provider. I need to know what this doctor is like and get a feel even though he is recommended. I plan on asking some general questions. The one I wanted to use will be retiring in probably the next 10 years and I didn't want to have to switch at that point. Just because your OB recommended the dr doesn't mean you find it a good fit. You'll see the pediatrian A LOT the first 2 years so you may as well be a little picky if you have options.

karaelaine1991 · March 2015

dancegurl1118 said:
I had the same issue. The pediatrician said there was an optional prenatal "meet and greet" other than that they just come to the hospital..I opted for the meeting only because it feels really informal not to fill out any forms or something, and to turn over care to someone I don't know (even though I know they come highly regarded).

I wish this office at least offered that! I feel like even something as informal as that would at least give me peace of mind... the recommendations are a good sign, but it's just not the same as actually talking to the doctors myself.

lovethatcolosun · March 2015

dancegurl1118 said:
I had the same issue. The pediatrician said there was an optional prenatal "meet and greet" other than that they just come to the hospital..I opted for the meeting only because it feels really informal not to fill out any forms or something, and to turn over care to someone I don't know (even though I know they come highly regarded).

In my experience this is how they generally all work. For my son I went with a pediatrician both recommended by my midwife and a friend. During my meet and greet, which when I called for an appointment was over a month out, I asked questions regarding vaccines, what to expect during the first few exams, and info on how long he'd been in practice. I also read reviews online.

They won't meet with you and your baby until after they are born. My pediatrician met with him a couple of times in the hospital. He also gave us some reading material on what to expect during the first few weeks, what's normal and when to be concerned.

KaLikeAWind · March 2015

Maybe you could at least talk with some of the nurses to have them answer some general questions about the practice. We've had some potential clients meet with veterinary technicians / nurses to answer questions about the facilities, vaccination preferences and protocols at that office, etc. The only thing this doesn't cover is a personality match as yes, you don't get to meet the actual doctor. But it should give you a picture of how the office is ran and how they approach their medical philosophy.

karaelaine1991 · March 2015

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! I think I will try calling again on Friday (my day off) to see if they offer meet and greets - it wasn't mentioned when I originally spoke with them, but it can't hurt to ask! If that doesn't work out, I like @mellymar's suggestion of at least talking to the nurses... I really appreciate everyone's feedback!

elizab14 · March 2015

Just got back from my "meet and greet" appointment. I posted in a facebook group for suggestions in my neighborhood and it was overwhelming to go to this doctor and I can see why.

HoosOnFirst · March 2015

We have a meet and greet info session next week at one practice. Another practice in our area does do one on one meet and greet appts which is cool although less efficient.@karaelaine1991 I'd keep on it until you are comfortable!

valeriemarie24 · March 2015

I don't know if this is just a regional thing or what (I live in the Toronto area) but when I asked my OB about paediatrician recommendations, she said that generally they are only for babies born with defects or that require some kind of special care. She said just my regular GP should be just fine. I had a paediatrician when I was a kid so I thought this was weird, but I'm guessing things in my area have changed lately. Sorry this isn't really helpful, just my experience.

karaelaine1991 · March 2015

valeriemarie24 said:
I don't know if this is just a regional thing or what (I live in the Toronto area) but when I asked my OB about paediatrician recommendations, she said that generally they are only for babies born with defects or that require some kind of special care. She said just my regular GP should be just fine. I had a paediatrician when I was a kid so I thought this was weird, but I'm guessing things in my area have changed lately. Sorry this isn't really helpful, just my experience.

Yeah, that might be a regional/national difference... I'm in Pennsylvania and here kids almost always go to pediatricians. Thanks for sharing your experience though!

auburnmamma · March 2015

I didn't meet my sons doctor until he rounded in the hospital. I figured if I didn't like him I could always switch. They do not offer meet and greets but I was offered an appointment slot if I wanted it. I declined.

We LOVE his doctor. Can't wait for him to help me raise this one!

jessieR358 · March 2015

Is pediatrician spelled different in Canada? Serious question.
The only people that I know of that use GPs as pediatricians are people that live in a rural community.

valeriemarie24 · March 2015

Paediatrician is the common Canadian spelling, I have seen it spelled both ways though.
And maybe things are different in the US or in different provinces but I definitely don't live in a rural community (Just outside Toronto). So maybe things have changed over the years. There are only about 2,300 practising paediatricians in all of Canada so it's becoming more common for children who don't require special care to see a GP. Like I said though, it varies from place to place.

jessieR358 · March 2015

Wow! That's not a lot for all of Canada! We probably have that many in my city lol.

klkonwi · March 2015

I am using a regular old GP. I know the peds docs and I work with them frequently for nicu babes and I am not impressed!!! So GP it is for me. There's nothing wrong with GP's. If the GP is uncomfortable they consult peds docs anyways.

KaLikeAWind · March 2015

For me, pretty much ALL of the healthcare here is done thru clinics inside the local hospital (I live in a fairly rural area). My OB's office is in the hospital. The pediatrics clinic is across from the lobby of the women's center (the OB's office), with its own waiting area (that has all sorts of cute kid stuff in it). At that clinic there are right now 2 doctors, 1 of which is leaving in June (they are having another come in later in the summer, at least). So I have 1 real option. There are other pediatricians within half hour's drive, but I'm content seeing how this one is before I worry about branching out. And, my OB also said that a lot of the GP's there are good with babies / kids and I know that there is a GP that I like a lot here, so if I need to I can always choose him, unless I need something more specialized

laurendutch · March 2015

I lucked out with our pediatrician. I was going to have my Uncles friend be my boys pediatrician but for some reason we saw the on call ped. We really liked him and have stuck with him. He's older but really relaxed and encouraging. I remember when I brought my boys in for our 1 week follow up that not only was he checking on them but was asking me lots of questions regarding how I felt...basically to see if there were any red flags for PPD. I've also always been able to get same day appointments when I had a sick child. His office doesn't have any turn over...so the front desk, RNs and MAs are all the same, which is nice bc I feel like they remember me and ask me about what's going on.

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