Pediatrician question

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have any advice on if it's necessary to choose a pediatrician that has hospital privileges where you are delivering? I am delivering at VHC but we live in Vienna. There is a pediatrician practice in Vienna that we are thinking about going with, because they are so close to home, but none of their doctors have hospital privileges at VHC. We are wondering if that is a reason to not go with them...or do you think it's okay to just use the staff pediatrician at VHC and then pick a pediatrician practice that is closer to home? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

The greater questions is where is their priviledges and is the hospital they are affiliated convenient to you if your child is sick? Also, is the hopsital they are affiliated one that has a great peds wards or good nicu. If the answer is yes, I wouldn't worry about their not being at the hospital you deliver--I am sure the onstaff pediatrician is fine for a first look see.

[Anonymous]

I would just use the hospital ped. for the day 2 check up, then go to your ped. once you are out of the hospital. Our ped. had rights at the hospital where I delivered but she only came in for a visit once to do a check on the baby so I don't think it was a big deal. I would have been totally OK with a hospital ped. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

We also live in Vienna, I delivered at Sibley, and our pediatrician at Vienna Pediatrics did not have priviliges at Sibley. But this was not a problem - DD was checked by the hospital pediatrician at Sibley. On the day we were released from the hospital, we had a Sunday appointment at Vienna Pediatrics for the newborn visit.