Pdiatrician-what to do?

[Anonymous]

Ladies
If i want my own ped to see the baby in the hospitl (i.e. I choose a ped before delivery), do I need to make an appointment with him/her or just call him and tell that i woul like to be their patient when I deliver? I ma just thinking of what do I talk to them about if I make an appointment, when ther eis no actual "patient" yet??

[Anonymous]

Our practice made regular daily rounds at the hospital. The hospital called the pediatrician's once the baby was born, and whoever was on call at the hospital from our practice saw the baby. I would recommend calling your pediatrician to see how they handle it.

[Anonymous]

Interview your pediatrician ahead of time. Not all come to the hospital to see the newborns. I couldn't believe it until I started looking but it's true.

It's pretty standard, in my experience, for peds to have "meet and greet" type interview to make sure everyone is a good fit.

[Anonymous]

Do a meet & greet and make sure your ped. has priviliges at the hospital you are delivering at.

The L&D nurses will call the ped. when the baby is born (that is part of the admission paperwork you fill out at the hospital).

Also, if you have a boy and are considering circumcision be sure to ask who will do that - the ped. or the ob.

[Anonymous]

OP here

I live in Mclean and deliver in Fairfax Hospital. I would appreciate if I could have some references for peds in the area. I just do not feel like I can do many meet and greet appointments as i believe I will have to pay co-pay for every one of those which is $40 for me. Also i am on modified bedrest at home and would not want to go out to much just to researh many peds. So any referece would be greatly appreiated.

also what are the questions I need to ask ped when I go to see him/her?

[Anonymous]

Pediatricians don't charge for prenatal appointments - if they do, don't use them! You do need to make an appointment - maybe when you call you can let them know you are on bedrest and see if they will do a phone interview instead?

The questions to ask depend on what's important to you, but here are some examples of things I asked at my interviews:

- how long is the average wait time at your office?
- do you have extended or weekend hours?
- are you okay with spacing or delaying certain vaccinations?
- do you have privileges at the hospital where I am delivering (I am having a homebirth so I didn't actually ask this, but you will want to)
- do you have a lactation consultant on staff or do you have someone who you can refer to if I am having problems?
- do you have parent support groups?
- are the doctors in your practice on call in the evenings or if not, what group/practice covers for you and what are their qualifications?
- under what circumstances/symptoms should I call/come in right away with a newborn?

[Anonymous]

Why don't you check which docs your insurance company covers and then give them a call.

The ped. offices don't charge for a meet&greet. The PP had a good idea about doing a phone interview.

Remember, you can always change ped. if you don't like them. So, if you are in a crunch, just choose one and if it doesn't work out and you don't like them then switch!