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December 2018 Moms
Jens_Hoes
member
The Pediatrician Thread
Jens_Hoes
member
Do you have tips on what questions to ask a potential pediatrician?
Any specific questions as a FTM for things to ask?
Any specific questions as a FTM for things to ask?
Re: The Pediatrician Thread
-to find a someone near to you as possible. You do not want to be commuting a long distance with a sick kiddo.
-Ask and make sure they have at least one weekend day of walk in or emergency appointment hours, if possible.
-ours also has walk in hours from 8-830 every morning, which is great because sickness does not give you a ton of warning sometimes! We use those walk in hours often and are grateful for them!
-ideally, the office would have a separate waiting room for kiddos who are contagious and kiddos who are healthy - definitely ask about this!
-we wanted someone super pro vaccine (most doctors are, but it was important to us to double check.)
-someone patient and with a good bedside manner with kids. My DD has a terrible, terrible fear of doctors, but thankfully our pedi is very chill about it (and has her own daughter, the same age, who also hates doctors!) and it helps so much.
-also, if you think you find the perfect pediatrician but then things just do not go well with them, switch! There is no harm in shopping around for a doctor until you find the right fit for you and your family. Sometimes you don't know what issues your kid will have until you have your kid! There may be food allergies or ear infections or other issues, and if you don't feel like your doctor is sufficiently proactive or caring, definitely get a second (or third) opinion until you feel your child is being cared for appropriately!
The biggest thing he harped on for me (especially because of our situation) was to make sure the hospital is affiliated with whatever the highest level NICU in the area is (for us it's Cincinnati Children's Hospital) so that baby is quickly and easily transferred if something goes wrong. I know it's a little late for any of us to change OBs without a hassle, but he was SUPER adamant about this. Luckily, our hospital has all of the connections.
To second @maureenmce, he also mentioned location. It may not seem like a big deal in theory, but having to deal with a hellish commute to the doctor's office on top of dealing with a sick kid will suck immensely.
Pro-vaccine, obviously.
If you know anyone in the healthcare field, ask them for recommendations. They might have some *insider information*
Our providers and hospital and insurance are all within the same... ecosystem? (IU Health), and that's helped with making decisions.
ETA: to drop some sexism, advice I heard more than once was to get a woman if you can. Maternal instincts and empathy and all that. Not telling you to do so, just throwing it into the mix.
You can check to see if they pediatricians have visiting rights at the hospital you are delivering at. That way they can see baby when they are born. Otherwise you'll have a run of the mill random pediatrician check on baby before discharge.
Another good question is when you can schedule sick visits. My mother was a nurse and her office only let you call between 8-9 for sick visits that day, otherwise you were scheduled for the next day. It sounds like a stupid policy to me, but it was their policy. Our current ped we can call any time and get in if they have availability.
Check up on the after hours/weekend on call. Do they have one? Is it 24/7?
Ask what you need to get your LO situated after birth. Some peds are highly sought after and have no openings, others do. Do they want information ahead of time?
Ask how quickly they can see baby after discharge. It is important not to wait too long after getting out of the hospital for a weight check at the ped. Sometimes you'll have to see a PA or whomever is available, but at least there will be eyes on the baby.
Don't be afraid to contradict the doctor. While they know A LOT, they don't know everything. Our DD first doctor knew very little about infantile hemangiomas. They told us to wait and see what happens. Long story short, after seeing a pediatric ophthalmologist (because the hemangioma was near her eye) we were referred to a specialist who then began treatment the next week. I immediately switched pediatricians, and the universe told me it was the right choice because our new ped had an infantile hemangioma when she was a baby.
The last thing I can think of at this moment is to see if they can tell you about how quickly they turn over the rooms. Our new pediatrician is fast, and we never have to wait too long. But when DD was tiny I often breastfed her in the room after the appointment, and was told I could take my absolute time. I would hate to feel rushed out so that they could get the next patient in. I also sucked at BF initially so feeding in public gave me serious anxiety.
*Rainbow 8/2015*
*Expected Rainbows 12/2018*
*Loss of Twin 5/2018*
I would look at the location And find out if you can go to multiple locations if they have them. For example, Our pediatrician has one office it is closer to our home, but another that was closer to the school I worked at and it was nice being able to have both options for scheduling visits.
Do they offer evening or weekend hours? And if so, are they only for sick visits, or can you plan well checks during that time?
How available is their nurse line? Can you call anytime and reach a live person or do you have to wait for a call back?
Do they require everyone to be vaccinated, or could your newborn be sitting in the waiting room next to a kid with whooping cough?
Do they have a separate waiting room for sick kids and kids were just there for check ups?
If you plan to be, do they have a LC on staff? How picky are they about weight gain? Can you bring baby in for a weight check or do you have to have a scheduled appt with copay?
I would definitely try to meet with your potential ped before birth, so you can see if you “click” with them.
BFP #1: 7/15/15, SB: 11/14/15
Rainbow baby DS born 9/29/16!!
BFP #3 3/26/18 | Due 12/3/18
Our pediatrician is so wonderful! He was actually DHs pedi when he was a kid. With that came some serious questions whether or not to use him for our LO. First, his office is 30-40 minutes away and second I was worried that Drs age would be a factor- how much longer is he going to be in practice? I didn't realize at the time but DH saw him basically fresh our of med school so Drs only in his 50s.
He is in line with our pro vaxx, separate waiting rooms for sick and well kids, walk in hours every morning and Saturday appts available. He has been voted best local pedi for YEARS. He really is the nicest guy with the best bed side manner. I know I am lucky to have found such a great fit- and that's why I put up with the drive.
Not to start a pro or anti circumcision debate, but this thread reminded me, if you are having a boy, and you elect to have him circumcised, the OB that delivers you does not have to be the one to perform the procedure. I asked around during appointments and talked to the nurse who led our birthing class to find out who the nurses recommended and then requested him. I recommend doing this because some docs are better than others at it. My nephew’s got botched and he wound up needing surgery later, so I was a bit paranoid.
Kade Wayne born July 23, 2015
MC in February 2017
MC in November 2017
Oliver Dean (Ollie) due December 17, 2018
Other things I would consider:
Are they (the practice) familiar with your insurance? If there is a problem, will you get a call back in a reasonable time (24 hrs in my book) from someone in billing?
Is there a secure messaging system for nonurgent questions?
Is there a lab onsite or will you have to go across town for blood draws?
If there is a particular concern you have, does the pedi seem knowledgeable and willing consult experts/look things up when needed?
-Breastfeeding support/knowledge – the growth curve is different for breastfed babies!
-Separate sick and well visit waiting areas are a plus. Our pedi has 2 offices. One office has separate areas an the other does not, but we have experienced almost no wait time in either office.
-Visiting rights at the hospital where you are delivering and where you would take a kiddo in the event of an emergency. This helps with continuity of care and information sharing.
-24/7 emergency line