The Crib: A Blog for New Parents

Posted by pecuellar on 11/02/07 - 04:42 PM

At my very first prenatal visit with my first child I was asked who would be the child’s pediatrician. This question threw me for a loop; I was barely getting used to the idea of having a child and the furthest thing from my mind was who would be their doctor. I stood with my mouth gaping with no answer at all. The nurse informed me that I still had some time to decide, but I must make the decision well before the due date because the pediatrician generally visits the baby in the hospital as soon as they are born. OK, now what? Here are a few tips on how to go about choosing a pediatrician.

• Remember this doctor will be considered your child’s primary health provider. They will be responsible for everything from scheduling well-baby checkups, immunizations and coordinating care should a specialist be required. So do your research. Ask around. Who is recommended by your family, friends or co-workers?

• Ask about after hours care. Can you get in touch with the doctor 24 hours a day and on weekends (or at least a nurse)?
• How easy is it to get an appointment? Are same day appointments usually available? When your child is sick you won’t want to wait.
• Will your child be seen by one doctor exclusively or does the office have a team of doctors?
• Schedule an appointment to meet the doctor. You can use this appointment to see how compatible you will be. Do you like their mannerisms? Are they easy to understand? Do they listen to your concerns? You can also use this time to see how well you agree on items of special concern like circumcision.

Just because you choose a pediatrician doesn’t mean you are stuck with them. If it appears that the one you choose is not a good fit for your family, try again. There is nothing more critical than your child’s health.