Picking Your Baby’s Pediatrician
The current trend in which parents “interview” pediatricians to find the one that best suits them is an understandable one. After all, you can expect to pay a visit to your chosen health care provider at least six times during your baby’s first year alone—and that’s just counting the usual number of well-baby visits—not to mention possibly having a relationship with them for the next 18 years or longer.
The second or third trimester is an ideal time to start considering whom you want to serve as your baby’s health care provider, whether it’s a pediatrician, family physician, or nurse practitioner experienced in caring for children. Ask around to find out who in your area is well liked, well trained, and conveniently located. In addition to friends, neighbors, and family members, obstetricians, and newborn nursery staff are often a great source for recommendations.
Beyond finding a provider who is well trained in the science of pediatrics, it will be to your advantage to find someone who also shares your own personal philosophy and style on the art of parenting on topics ranging from the use of antibiotics, feeding, and approaches to colic to how to handle sleep problems. Keep in mind that there is no such thing as the “perfect physician,” but you can at least try to find one that’s a good fit for you and your family.
Consider that healthcare providers come in all types—younger vs. older, with children vs. without, breastfeeding veterans vs. no breasts. You get the idea. Yet none of these traits alone, or in combination, will guarantee that you’ve found a model of perfection. Instead, take all of a provider’s characteristics into account, along with bedside manner and overall personality. See if you can find one you can really relate to, keeping in mind that the doctor who seems perfect in the eyes of other parents may not be right for you.
Scheduling a Visit
Once you have found one (or a few) potential pediatricians, call the office(s) to see if it is possible to schedule a prenatal or “meet the doctor” visit. You might want to also ask if there is a charge for the visit, or see if it’s covered by your insurance.
Insurance Issues
It’s worth asking if the doctor accepts your insurance because the reality of managed healthcare these days is that your insurance carrier may well dictate which physicians and practices you can take your child to and which ones you can’t. Once your baby is born, be sure to add him or her to your plan right away so potentially huge bills won’t surprise you.
Hospital Information
If you decide to take your baby to a health care provider who does not make hospital rounds where you plan to deliver (or where your child may be admitted if needed), your baby will still be seen and evaluated by a qualified physician at the hospital. On discharge from the hospital, you can proceed to arrange all of your follow-up visits with your chosen provider.
Access and Availability
While many parents say they’d be willing to drive to the ends of the earth for their favorite doctor, chances are good that when given the choice, a location close to home or work would be ideal. Find out whether the practice has office hours that suit your needs. If your schedule is not very flexible, you may want to look for a practice that offers weekend hours and/or stays open late on weekdays. Make sure that the office you choose also has qualified members of their staff available to answer your questions during regular business hours and clear instructions as to what to do in the event of an after-hours question or emergency.
Seeing Other Doctors
If you are considering a group practice, ask how many days a week the practitioner you’re interested in seeing works and if you’ll be able to request visits with that person whenever he or she is in the office. You’ll also want to make sure that you are comfortable with the other practitioners who will take over when yours is not available.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to making a decision, remember that you’ll want to choose a doctor whose style best suits your own needs and who is going to be a supportive partner in your exciting and educational journey through parenthood. If at any time you feel the partnership is not a good fit, you can always make a change.
Background Check: The AAP
Now is as good a time as any to familiarize yourself with the AAP because you’re bound to come across these three letters at just about every turn in your search for reliable information and all-around parenting enlightenment. AAP stands for the American Academy of Pediatrics—a professional organization of about 60,000 pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists in the United States, Canada, Mexico and many other countries. If you happen to spot the letters FAAP after a doctor’s name, it tells you that he or she is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics—a title bestowed on just over half of the AAP members in recognition of passing the pediatric board exam (which, from personal experience, is no cake walk). As the authoritative source on health issues for children, the mission of the AAP is to attain optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.