community

all boards


birth clubs



my blog

Sort:
12-04-2012 at 1:17 PM
irshblu
Not Ranked
Joined on 02-16-2008
60 Points
irshblu is not online. Last active: 02-27-2013, 8:16 AMNewbie

Finding a pediatrician

In all the blogs and week to week updates I read, finding a pediatrician has been on top of "to-do's" for the last trimester. Finding and talking to a potential doctor of your unborn child seems to be one of the most important items a new mom can undergo, but I seem to be having a problem. Ive asked all my new mommy friends and even experienced moms in the area for referrals but finding a potential doctor for my unborn child has proven to be the most pain staking process of this experience. Most ped's offices i call wont meet with prospective partents prior to the first visit and family practices have never even heard of a the new parent interview process before. is it so impossible to want to meet the person caring for my child after birth before this process starts? Doesnt it make sense to want to make sure that our views are similar before I sign up for a treatment plan that may or may not be parallel to mine? Im having such a hard time and have no idea where to go now, maybe im asking the wrong questions, or maybe im all together investigating the wrong places? What have other new moms dones in this case?
 
12-04-2012 at 1:30 PM
pinkshades...
Not Ranked
Joined on 02-04-2008
43,941 Points
pinkshades05 is not online. Last active: 05-22-2013, 10:27 AMSilver
I know I'm lurking, but I thought I might help you since I was in your shoes not too long ago. Some pediatricians won't meet with you and we didn't meet ours prior to DD's birth. What we decided was to pick a pediatrician that was recommended to do the newborn exam. If we liked them, then great! If not, we would move on to another pediatrician. We ended up loving our pediatrician so we got lucky, but there are others that I know who will switch pediatricians several times in the first few months to find the right one. Don't feel bad if you don't find the right match right away!

 
12-04-2012 at 1:32 PM
6fsn
Not Ranked
Joined on 04-08-2003
Ohio
10,538 Points
6fsn is not online. Last active: 05-22-2013, 7:39 AMGold

Most offices have an established protocol for vaxes, sick child, etc.  This information is usually on their website or in a welcome package.  I'd check the site.  If you don't see it there have a list of questions that are important and call with those.  You don't necessarily need to meet the doc to know their views and policies. 

Also remember that just because you pick someone now doesn't mean you can't change later.

 
12-04-2012 at 1:40 PM
526SadieSa...
Not Ranked
Joined on 10-06-2009
Hope, RI
34,749 Points
526SadieSadie is not online. Last active: 05-22-2013, 2:02 PMGold

I asked my OBGYN practice for a list of recommended pedi doctors and I was thrilled to see the name of a GP I knew on the list.

You could also get in touch with your insurance company and ask for a list of in-network pedis in your area, that'll help narrow the search down if you don't recognize any of them. 

You aren't married to a pediatrician, but I think you need to have a name to give the hospital when you're in labor and then doctor comes to see the baby when he/she arrives.  You can change doctors at any time if you're not gelling with them.


Anniversary  
12-04-2012 at 2:37 PM
drpayne
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-26-2009
25,742 Points
drpayne is not online. Last active: 05-21-2013, 3:24 PMSilver
6fsn:

Most offices have an established protocol for vaxes, sick child, etc.  This information is usually on their website or in a welcome package.  I'd check the site.  If you don't see it there have a list of questions that are important and call with those.  You don't necessarily need to meet the doc to know their views and policies. 

Also remember that just because you pick someone now doesn't mean you can't change later.

 

This.  I know many don't agree but I think pedi interviews are really weird.  Do you interview any other healthcare professionals?  No... I think it's strange to expect them to have time for this.  That's just me.  Ask for recs from like-minded friends.  Ask the office for basic policy info.  If you don't like the pedi you can always switch.


 Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker  Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
12-04-2012 at 2:49 PM
teralane
Not Ranked
Joined on 06-28-2012
3,015 Points
teralane is not online. Last active: 05-06-2013, 4:42 PMNewbie
I got a recommendation/referral from my Family doctor (pcp). There are pediatricians in the same office. Have you tried that yet?

 Pregnancy Ticker 
12-04-2012 at 3:03 PM
FutureMrsT...
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-18-2009
Pflugerville, TX
10,611 Points
FutureMrsTowns is not online. Last active: 04-23-2013, 3:51 PMBronze
drpayne:
6fsn:

Most offices have an established protocol for vaxes, sick child, etc.  This information is usually on their website or in a welcome package.  I'd check the site.  If you don't see it there have a list of questions that are important and call with those.  You don't necessarily need to meet the doc to know their views and policies. 

Also remember that just because you pick someone now doesn't mean you can't change later.

 

This.  I know many don't agree but I think pedi interviews are really weird.  Do you interview any other healthcare professionals?  No... I think it's strange to expect them to have time for this.  That's just me.  Ask for recs from like-minded friends.  Ask the office for basic policy info.  If you don't like the pedi you can always switch.

yes, I did. any healthcare professional that i am going to have to deal with on a long term basis I will do a consult with, I did for my OB. Especially if they are going to be effecting important things in my life, like the birth of my child, or if they are going to be advising me on breastfeeding, or performing my son's circumcision. I don't want a doctor that is going to jump to supplementation too early, or an OB with a high c-section rate, or a high episiotomy rate, and I wanted to get along with my OB really well. these things are important to some people more than others.


FTM Lilypie First Birthday tickers Daisypath Anniversary tickers Navy Wife since 5/22/2010

"Why do I do it?.... because nights alone aren't permanent, missing him reminds me that I'm lucky enough to have someone to miss, and because I'm not afraid to make sacrifices for true love"

 
12-04-2012 at 3:52 PM
drpayne
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-26-2009
25,742 Points
drpayne is not online. Last active: 05-21-2013, 3:24 PMSilver
FutureMrsTowns:
drpayne:
6fsn:

Most offices have an established protocol for vaxes, sick child, etc.  This information is usually on their website or in a welcome package.  I'd check the site.  If you don't see it there have a list of questions that are important and call with those.  You don't necessarily need to meet the doc to know their views and policies. 

Also remember that just because you pick someone now doesn't mean you can't change later.

 

This.  I know many don't agree but I think pedi interviews are really weird.  Do you interview any other healthcare professionals?  No... I think it's strange to expect them to have time for this.  That's just me.  Ask for recs from like-minded friends.  Ask the office for basic policy info.  If you don't like the pedi you can always switch.

yes, I did. any healthcare professional that i am going to have to deal with on a long term basis I will do a consult with, I did for my OB. Especially if they are going to be effecting important things in my life, like the birth of my child, or if they are going to be advising me on breastfeeding, or performing my son's circumcision. I don't want a doctor that is going to jump to supplementation too early, or an OB with a high c-section rate, or a high episiotomy rate, and I wanted to get along with my OB really well. these things are important to some people more than others.

I get what you're saying.  I'd just think you could get recommendations from people who feel the same way or call the office to get general questions answered.  I also feel that it's still up to the parents to advocate for their children.  I didn't ASK my pedi if what she thought of an alternative shot schedule.  I INFORMED her that's what I wanted to do.  I also get what you're saying about OBs (I chose a birthing center/midwife because they, in general, provide care that is more in line with what I'm looking for.)  Again, I don't see why it takes a formal interview to do this. 


 Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker  Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
12-04-2012 at 6:43 PM
BLPL101
Not Ranked
Joined on 07-29-2011
47,067 Points
BLPL101 is not online. Last active: 05-22-2013, 2:10 PMSilver
drpayne:
6fsn:

Most offices have an established protocol for vaxes, sick child, etc.  This information is usually on their website or in a welcome package.  I'd check the site.  If you don't see it there have a list of questions that are important and call with those.  You don't necessarily need to meet the doc to know their views and policies. 

Also remember that just because you pick someone now doesn't mean you can't change later.

 

This.  I know many don't agree but I think pedi interviews are really weird.  Do you interview any other healthcare professionals?  No... I think it's strange to expect them to have time for this.  That's just me.  Ask for recs from like-minded friends.  Ask the office for basic policy info.  If you don't like the pedi you can always switch.

I thought they were weird too, but when I called to set it up, it was obvious that they do it all the time. They called it a "meet and greet". I had one last night and it was fine, but kinda pointless because there are very few pediatricians in my area that take my insurance so I kinda have to go with her.


 Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
12-04-2012 at 9:06 PM
Kingston54
Not Ranked
Joined on 04-24-2009
27,965 Points
Kingston54 is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 11:24 PMGold
We decided on our pediatrician based on the referrals of other people.  It worked out great for us!

 Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker  Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
12-05-2012 at 11:01 AM
JBos82
Not Ranked
Joined on 11-19-2011
8,959 Points
JBos82 is not online. Last active: 03-28-2013, 12:32 PMBronze

First, I would ask your OBGYN for a recommendation on a pediatrician. Also, the maternity ward or birthing center you are delivering at will very likely have a pediatrician that they use (if you don't already have one), so you can call and get suggestions from them.

My OBGYN suggested a pediatrician, and he happens to be in the same practice that a good friend uses for her daughter. All I did was call, let the receptionist know that I was pregnant and when my due date was, and told her my OBGYN had made the recommendation. I asked to make an appointment to speak to the doctor, and had no problem doing so. I have a 5pm appointment (so I guess he's meeting with me after business hours). I don't see why other pediatricians would have something against meeting with prospective parents, as they will be called to the hospital very soon after delivery to check on the baby .

Hot Topics

New dad or dad-to-be? Chat with other dads here!
Visit the Dads & Dads-to-be board

Need baby shower inspiration? Get ideas here!
Visit the Baby Showers board

Chat with other crafty moms here!
Visit the Crafty Moms board

search boards

choose another board