When did you pick your pediatrician?

Question

this is my first baby.

At how many weeks did you pick out your pediatrician?

Did you meet with him/her before?

What types of questions do you ask?

thanks!

Answer 1

Well I talked with my twin sister to see where she took her 2 kids at. And see how she liked them and what doctor she saw and did the have a on call emergency number and what not. She said she loved them and which doctor she liked she I took notes. I also asked my friends and my doctor. I also asked my doctor what she thought of the doctor my sister recommended. And she said she loved them and told people about them. I think I was around 28 weeks when I told my doctor which pediatrician I was going to use. I couldn't get to the office to meet and take a look around. So when I went into labor the nurses asked me for the doctor name and office name gave it to them and they called when my son was born. And the next morning I met her! And I'm so glad I went with them because they are great! So I would ask around and get other people's inputs! And if you don't care for them you can always switch! Good luck and Congrats to you!

Answer 2

i had an appointment with a prospective pediatrician at 29 weeks. you definitley want to get one before the baby is born because if you end up having the baby early (nobody plans on it but it happens) you will be stuck with a limited number of pediatricians available at the hospital when you are there and you may be disappointed with what you get.

i had a list of questions that were important for me to ask the pediatrician. at the hosptial where i am having the baby unless the pediatrician specifically has special orders every baby is treated the same. but we are doing natural childbirth and some of their routine procedures just don't apply to me so i asked if he could write orders for us to be skin to skin to warm the baby instead of them putting the baby under a warming light for the first couple of hours. also if he was okay with the routine eye medication not being administered (i don't have syphilus which is why it is given, to keep the baby from getting syph) and the MOST important thing to me was whether or not he would be comfortable discharging the baby a few hours after birth. since i am doing natural there is no reason for us to stay in the hosptial for 48 hours for both of us to be observed because neither of us will have been medicated.  other than that i asked whether or not he was supportive of breastfeeding, some pediatricians will suggest switching to formula for a number of (invalid) reasons and one of my biggest parenting goals is to breastfeed for a year. also i am planning on delaying vaccinations until my child is 24 months old to reduce to risk of autism as well as a number of other related developmental delays and he was fine with that as well.

think of what is important to you and write it all down so you don't forget.

Answer 3

When I was at the hospital they referred  me to a pediatrician so I was able to go a time or two and compare who I liked better. I love our pediatrician!

Answer 4

Some people "interview" a few doctors..some older doctors have more experience, but some younger doctors are sort of in touch with all the new medicines and more concerned with the development of your baby. Try getting someone to recommend a doctor to you...we did and we love our pedi!! She is very young, we like her style and she is very patient, I call her all the time with any questions that I have.

We picked her about a month or 2 before the baby was born, called the office to let them know, then when you have the baby and coem home from the hospital schedule his/her 1wk appt.

GOOD LUCK and CONGRATS!!!

Answer 5

i didnt get one till he was a week old... BIG MISTAKE! i would choose one atleast a week before your babys born... itll save alot of trouble..  

Answer 6

I chose my pediatrician before my son was born. This way he knew my son from the get go.  He autimaticaly scheduled an appt. for the day after my son left the hospital for his first well check... Checked his weight, length and asked about his eating habit...

*i was fortunate to know the pediatrician before hand but i still asked people about him

Ask how much should he she be expected to grow,  how much he or she should eat and how often,  When do the immunizations start... and anything else your worried about.. new moms dont know a lot trust me im a new mommy myself so dont worry and just ask whatever your heart desires after all this is your baby

Answer 7

With my first son I had to find one soon. Because when I was 32 weeks pregnant I found out my son was going to be born with cleft palate. I would need to find one that knows about that cleft palate and would need to be in delivery room when be there when the baby was born. I did find one. Without him in being in there when my son was born I would had lost my son. My son was born blue and was crying. He was doing cpr on my son. He saved my son life. He still my son and my youngest son doctor. And he be the doctor for this baby has well.

Answer 8

I choose my pediatrician at about 30 weeks, i scheduled a prenatal visit at 37 weeks and we sat down and talked about what we wanted done at birth circumcision etc etc. I chose him based on his reputation and the fact that he was my pediatrician growing up. I like him because he is honest and straight forward and will take the time to explain things to you. Talk to to other moms, talk to people around you who have children. Research on-line the doctor you like certification etc. Good Luck and COngrats!

Answer 9

My pediatrician was assigned to me at the hospital.  I was told that if I did not like her there were 3 other doctors at her practice.  But, luckily, I LOVED her.  

I did not meet with her beforehand.  I think that you will not know whether you like the doctor or not until you see how he/she handles your baby.  

Answer 10

first i asked other mothers if they had favorite doctors..second you set up appointments to visit and talk.. in the visit they will tell you about their pactice, about them, they really should answer all the question whithout you asking them anything(because they've done this a thousand times) if not you should definately ask..

-who does my baby see if they are not there?

-how late are you open?

-is there a nurse to call at anytime?

-do they have a sick and a well waiting room?

-will my child be seen that day if they are sick or need to be seen?

those are some of the most important questions!

i personally think that you should pick a doctor before the child is born,that way after the birth the doctor comes to the hospital to see your little one...i would also choose only a pediatrician..not a family doctor

Answer 11

I've asked around couple people, my OBGYN and friends for referrals when I was at my 30th week or so. I've found one that was close to my house and had evening and weekend clinics. And they have so many offices in different locations. I've met my pediatrician 3-4 weeks before the delivery and gave her info to my obgyn, so if there was an emergency, early delivery they would notify her. I asked her about the first hospital visit, baby's first office visit, immunizations, breastfeeding and formula feeding, what to do at the time of an emergency, car seats, crib advice... She was very understanding and answered all my questions with a great patience.  

Answer 12

we were referred to one whilei n theh ospital. m son came 2 1/2 weeks early, and we still didnt have one. plus with kaiser they kind of just give you who ever is taking new patients.

we really lucked out though. our pedi is AWESOME!!!!! he is so wonderful!!! couldnt have asked for a better one!!  

Answer 13

i'm in canada and You are "assigned" the one on call once your baby is born and if you don't like them...TOUGH!! Thankfully we got a really nice one, hes very thorough and wonderful with my son. However there are 3 particularly bad ones that are included in that "rotation" and to switch doctors here is next to impossible b/c the doctor you have must refer you to a different one and obviously they don't like to do it!!!

They only way to avoid the "on call" one is if you already have kids and a pediatrician