Do I need to find a pediatrician before the baby is born?

[Anonymous]

Just wondering if folks have signed up with a pediatrician before baby came or not? We'll need someone metro-accessible, so if there are long wait times for new patients like there are for other kinds of doctors, should we be looking into a practice prior to (how far prior to?) the birth?

[Anonymous]

It'll be easier to find one now than after your baby is home and s/he needs her first appointment. You'll have more energy to looking into Peds now, esp if they need to be metro-accessible and if you have any other qualities you're looking for. Some practices will have "open houses" for prospective parents where they tell you their philosophy and answer questions.

I'd do this 2 months or so before your due date, just in case you're interested in one that have open houses, so you can get into one.

[Anonymous]

When you check into the hospital, they usually ask you who your pediatrician is. Then they come and give the baby their first check-up while you are still there (or sometimes a day later in their office if you go home right away). So its nice to know what group you are using before the birth. Plus, if there are issues with the baby after birth, you will already know one of the doctors involved.

[Anonymous]

If you don't have one or the one you choose doesn't have privileges at your hospital, then the hospital pediatrician will examine your baby while you're in the hospital - no big deal. We ended up doing that with one of our kids b/c we moved and found a new ped, but I stayed with my old OB and delivered in a hospital where my new pediatric group didn't go.

After that, though, you do need one right away as you'll be bringing the baby in for a one-week visit, not too long after you get home.

In those first few days when you are home with a newborn, you probably don't want to be looking for a pediatrician. I would choose one before you deliver.

[Anonymous]

Pick a doc/practice beforehand, scheduled visits can start as early as 2 days after going home.

[Anonymous]

I'd recommend it. My DD had some medical problems shortly after birth, all minor, but I was glad to have already met her pediatrician. I was already familiar with the ped's medical background/communication style/etc., so I trusted her decisions and she was a great advocate for us at the hospital (we had some run-ins with some bad night nurses).

[Anonymous]

Yes, because you will need to see him/her a few days after you go home.