Choosing A Pediatrician
Selecting a Doctor for Your Baby
Attention moms-to-be, have you found your pediatrician yet? As a pediatrician and a mother of two, I know how anxious moms can be about their babies. And who better to take care of your baby than a pediatrician you hand-picked and trust? Choosing a pediatrician is simple, but it does take some research and suggestions from friends.
When to start looking for your baby's doctor
Expectant parents should choose a pediatrician before the baby is born.
I recommend that parents begin looking for a pediatrician during the second
trimester, after they are sure everything is going smoothly with the pregnancy.
The last few months go by faster than expected, so the last thing parents
should do is wait until the baby is born; they will be rushing to find
their baby's doctor and will not have ample time to research and ask the
right questions.
Parents often pick their pediatrician based on the hospital where they
plan on having their baby. While it is nice to have your pediatrician
see the baby right after birth, you can rest assured that there will be
a staff pediatrician who can see the baby if your pediatrician does not
come to the hospital in which you deliver. In addition, there is always
the chance that the hospital you chose initially might not actually be
where you give birth.
What to look for in a pediatrician
Parents should look for a pediatrician whose personality complements their
own. Recommendations from other new parents are great too, but go with
someone who has what you are looking for, not what your friend is looking
for.
Keep the following points in mind when visiting potential pediatricians:
Check availability
Will the pediatrician be available when needed? Does the office have an after-hours call service? How does the office handle emergency calls? What are the office hours, and do they fit into your schedule? Where is the office located in relation to your house? Does the pediatrician have a university affiliation?These issues are important for new parents because if the parents work, getting their baby to the doctor's office might be hard if it's located miles away. It's important for parents to at least have some method of getting advice after normal office hours. Babies can do strange things at all hours of the day and night, and it's nice for parents to have reassurance that everything is OK or, if it's not, that they can get help.
Get a feel for the office/hospital
Is the office child-friendly and clean? Is the office staff polite? Does the office make you feel comfortable?Talk to the pediatricians
Are they are culturally sensitive to your needs? Do they speak your language, and can you understand them? Do you feel comfortable? Are they going to help you, work with you, and allow you to have an opinion?Where to get a referral
If you are having a baby soon, talk to your friends who are new parents. Your OB/GYN or family doctor will also be able to refer pediatricians to you. If you are taking a prenatal class, check with the people in your class and ask what they know.
During prenatal visits, a pediatrician will help you with issues that are immediately crucial after the birth of your baby, such as bathing, immunizations, breastfeeding and medical concerns. It's perfectly fine to talk to your pediatrician about anything related to your body or your baby. It's good to get comfortable with your pediatrician because it's your baby! I guarantee that everything you have questions about or are embarrassed to talk about, your pediatrician has heard before. Remember, the relationship between you and your pediatrician should be a partnership.