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Authors: Heidi Murkoff
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) can supply you with names of pediatricians who can offer you the support and know-how youâll need. Some pediatricians have certified lactation consultants on staff.
Health insurance provider. Your HMO or health insurance provider will likely give you a list of physicians available to you under your insurance planâwhich may narrow down the field quite a bit if youâre not prepared to go out of network.
Topics to Discuss
Found Doctor Right? You may not have delivered yet, but you probably have plenty of baby-centric questions swirling around in your head. While you can certainly save a few questions for your first visit with your little bundle (keeping in mind that the bundle may be screaming through that entire first visit), some docs are more than happy to go through a Q&A session before delivery. This can be especially helpful because some of the issues youâll probably want to discuss may come up at or soon after delivery. Here are some topics to consider discussing:
Your obstetrical history and family health history. What impact will these have on your new babyâs health?
Hospital procedures. Ask: Any thoughts on cord blood banking and delayed cord clamping? Which tests and immunizations are routine after birth? How will jaundice be handled? How long is the recommended hospital stay? What procedures need to be taken care of if you plan to deliver at home?
Circumcision. What are the pros and cons? Who should perform the procedure and when, if you do opt for it? Will pain relief be given to baby?
Breastfeeding. If, after the first visitâs breastfeeding assessment, youâre still having difficulty nursing (or just want a reassessment of your technique and progress), can an extra office visit at one or two weeks postpartum be arranged? Is there an LC in office, or one you can be referred to?
Bottle-feeding. Whether you will be formula feeding, supplementing with formula, or expressing milk for bottles, you might want to ask what type of bottles, nipples, and formula the doctor recommends.
Baby supplies and equipment. Get recommendations on health supplies such as acetaminophen, thermometers, and diaper rash ointment, and equipment such as car seats.
Making Sure Baby Dr. Right Is Right for You
So you have a list of namesâand now youâre ready for the next steps: narrowing it down to an even shorter short list, and scheduling consultation appointments with the finalists, if possible. Some doctors charge for these visits, others donât. Either way, a late-pregnancy meet-and-greet will help you feel confident that youâve found that special someone (or group of someones)âthe doctor (or doctors) whoâs right for you and your baby-to-be.
Here are some key factors to consider:
Hospital affiliation. Itâs a definite plus if the doctor you choose is affiliated with a nearby hospital that has a good reputation for pediatric care. That way, he or she can provide or coordinate care if your little one ever has to be hospitalized or receive emergency treatment. Also a perk: If that doctor has privileges at the hospital where you are planning to deliver, he or she can check your baby out before discharge. But affiliation should definitely not be a deal breaker for an otherwise top-notchcandidate. A staff pediatrician can perform the hospital exam and arrange for discharge, and you can take your baby to see the chosen doctor after youâve checked out.
Credentials. A must-have for any doctor youâre considering for your babyâs care: a residency in pediatrics or family medicine and board certification by either the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) or the American Board of Family Practice (ABFP).
Office location. Lugging a size-42 belly with you everywhere you go may seem like heavy lifting now, but itâs traveling light compared with what youâll be toting after delivery. Going the distance will require more planning than just hopping behind the
Health insurance provider. Your HMO or health insurance provider will likely give you a list of physicians available to you under your insurance planâwhich may narrow down the field quite a bit if youâre not prepared to go out of network.
Topics to Discuss
Found Doctor Right? You may not have delivered yet, but you probably have plenty of baby-centric questions swirling around in your head. While you can certainly save a few questions for your first visit with your little bundle (keeping in mind that the bundle may be screaming through that entire first visit), some docs are more than happy to go through a Q&A session before delivery. This can be especially helpful because some of the issues youâll probably want to discuss may come up at or soon after delivery. Here are some topics to consider discussing:
Your obstetrical history and family health history. What impact will these have on your new babyâs health?
Hospital procedures. Ask: Any thoughts on cord blood banking and delayed cord clamping? Which tests and immunizations are routine after birth? How will jaundice be handled? How long is the recommended hospital stay? What procedures need to be taken care of if you plan to deliver at home?
Circumcision. What are the pros and cons? Who should perform the procedure and when, if you do opt for it? Will pain relief be given to baby?
Breastfeeding. If, after the first visitâs breastfeeding assessment, youâre still having difficulty nursing (or just want a reassessment of your technique and progress), can an extra office visit at one or two weeks postpartum be arranged? Is there an LC in office, or one you can be referred to?
Bottle-feeding. Whether you will be formula feeding, supplementing with formula, or expressing milk for bottles, you might want to ask what type of bottles, nipples, and formula the doctor recommends.
Baby supplies and equipment. Get recommendations on health supplies such as acetaminophen, thermometers, and diaper rash ointment, and equipment such as car seats.
Making Sure Baby Dr. Right Is Right for You
So you have a list of namesâand now youâre ready for the next steps: narrowing it down to an even shorter short list, and scheduling consultation appointments with the finalists, if possible. Some doctors charge for these visits, others donât. Either way, a late-pregnancy meet-and-greet will help you feel confident that youâve found that special someone (or group of someones)âthe doctor (or doctors) whoâs right for you and your baby-to-be.
Here are some key factors to consider:
Hospital affiliation. Itâs a definite plus if the doctor you choose is affiliated with a nearby hospital that has a good reputation for pediatric care. That way, he or she can provide or coordinate care if your little one ever has to be hospitalized or receive emergency treatment. Also a perk: If that doctor has privileges at the hospital where you are planning to deliver, he or she can check your baby out before discharge. But affiliation should definitely not be a deal breaker for an otherwise top-notchcandidate. A staff pediatrician can perform the hospital exam and arrange for discharge, and you can take your baby to see the chosen doctor after youâve checked out.
Credentials. A must-have for any doctor youâre considering for your babyâs care: a residency in pediatrics or family medicine and board certification by either the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) or the American Board of Family Practice (ABFP).
Office location. Lugging a size-42 belly with you everywhere you go may seem like heavy lifting now, but itâs traveling light compared with what youâll be toting after delivery. Going the distance will require more planning than just hopping behind the
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