Finding a Pediatrician: Tips for First-Time Moms

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Little Doctor “It’s great that we’re starting this relationship even before the baby is born.” As soon as the pediatrician I was talking to said those words, I knew I found Timmy’s doctor. Yes! I felt like I had scored a goal! W00t! Woah, wait. What’s this celebration all about? Let me explain.

A lot of the books and articles I read encouraged looking for a pediatrician even before the baby arrives. It’s a little bit daunting for a first-time Mom, but it makes sense, doesn’t it? If I took special care in finding the right OB for myself, I should take even better care in finding the right doctor for my baby.

I had doubts at first. My OB has a partner pedia anyway, so why worry? There’d be a pedia in the delivery room, that’s what’s important. I could just look for the right pediatrician after the baby’s born. That makes sense too.

But it didn’t rest well with me. I wanted to meet Timmy’s doctor even before he’s born. Relationships matter. I don’t like communicating with doctors in a simply transactional manner. I also need to know my philosophies and the pediatrician’s go well together. And so the hunt for the pediatrician began. And what a great success it was! I felt so illuminated after talking with her and I believe we clicked. So whew! GOAL!

Here are some tips that worked for me. I hope it helps you too.

When should I start looking?
Begin the search a few months before you’re due. You never know if that baby will come out sooner than expected! If you’re choosy, it might take a long time for that list to get filtered too.

How do I put a list together?
Ask for referrals from friends and family. They are an information goldmine. They have built a relationship with their own children’s pedias already so perhaps you’ll find inspiration in their recommendations.

Ask for recommendations from the hospital where you’re delivering AND your OB. OBs usually have partner pediatricians, so you could look into that. You could also call the hospital, talk to a couple of nurses and get insider recos.

Look into the pediatricians covered by your HMO. Why not maximize that health card? Your Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) can provide you with a list of accredited doctors and hospitals.

Check out where these pediatricians’ clinics are. You will return to your pediatrician for a lot of baby check-ups, so a location that’s convenient for you will matter a lot.

I’ve got my list. Now what?

Schedule a consultation. This will give you a chance to learn more about the doctor. Confirm what her clinic hours are. Give the clinic a call to check on the consultation fee. Some initial meetings are free of charge, but do double-check.

Evaluate the clinic’s surroundings. Are you comfortable? Will your baby be comfortable? How child-friendly is it?

Prepare your questions beforehand. Discuss topics that are important to you and see how illuminating the pediatrician is. These were some of the questions I asked:

  • What happens to the baby as soon as he’s delivered? Will the pediatrician be present during the delivery? What is an APGAR score? What else is done with my baby as soon as he’s out?
  • What tests and vaccines are given to the baby before he leaves the hospital? Some women prefer not to have their children vaccinated — it is highly important that you find out the hospital’s protocol here.
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of rooming-in? If I room-in, what responsibilities do I take on? If I don’t room-in, how often can I see my baby?
  • What’s her take on infant nutrition? Can the baby latch on as soon as he’s delivered? What are the hospital’s breastfeeding policies?
  • How accessible is she? How can I get in touch with her if my baby is sick? Can they be contacted after clinic hours?

Another thing you might want to ask: Training and experience (ex. how long have you been in practice?). Does she specialize in any field?

I’ve got a shortlist. How else can I decide how and who to pick?
The Pediatrician-Parent Fit. Note how you and the doctor communicated. Was it a comfortable, open discussion? Did she answer your questions or did you feel rushed? Were you illuminated or more confused after the consultation? Does the pediatrician’s opinions/advice complement or contradict your philosophies? Do you have confidence in this pediatrician to be your partner in taking the best care of your baby? Or in one just one sentence: DID YOU CLICK?

The Pediatrician-Child Fit. Obviously, I still cannot tell at this point how successfully she will interact with my baby. But do keep this in mind, see how at ease your baby will be too once they get to meet each other!

*****

Finding a pediatrician as a first-time Mom may seem a little daunting at first, but it’s very much worth the effort. Even if your baby’s still in your womb, start that search and then begin building a relationship with your baby’s doctor. Your pediatrician will be your best partner in making sure your baby’s in the pink of health. And that’s what matters most, doesn’t it? Your healthy, happy, well-cared for baby. :)

Image credit: stock.xchng, Smiley Faces by doriana s

15 Comments on Finding a Pediatrician: Tips for First-Time Moms

  1. Eper
    August 11, 2009 at 10:20 am (15 years ago)

    Congratulations on finding a pedia for Timmy! I gave birth prematurely and wasn’t able to meet with other pediatricians so I settled for my OB’s partner. I switched right away because I didn’t feel at ease with her. Imagine she refused to give me her mobile number when I asked for it (in case of emergencies) and told me to bring Quino to the ER if something comes up. Hello?! The ER is breeding ground for germs! Even my friend’s pedia advises against bringing your baby to the ER. So I switched to my cousin’s pedia and I’m very happy with him :)
    .-= Eper´s last blog ..Bling Bling =-.

    Whew, glad you found a good pedia for Quino! :)

    Reply
  2. rowie
    August 11, 2009 at 11:28 am (15 years ago)

    This is great, Toni! :)

    If I may add a suggestion: budget-conscious moms might also want to ask prospective pedias how much they charge for vaccinations. The amounts that pediatricians charge vary widely! And since vaccinations are going to be among the biggest expenses in baby’s first year, it’s wise to find out ahead of time so you can budget accordingly! :)
    .-= rowie´s last blog ..Only 50% of Filipina moms exclusively breastfeed in the first 2 months. =-.

    Super helpful Rowie! Thank you for the tip 😀

    Reply
  3. Em Dy
    August 12, 2009 at 2:03 pm (15 years ago)

    Lucky you to have found someone you adore so quickly, some change pediatricians all the time until they get a perfect match.

    If I may add regarding the OB’s recommendation, while it’s true that you can choose any pediatrician, it’s best to choose one who works well with your OB; this ensures that the delivery process is as seamless as possible. And while OBs have partner pediatricians, they usually have several options and usually refer patients to those who match their temperament and expectations.

    Thanks Em! The great part of the search was that I did end up with my OB’s partner! You’re so right, their temperament and philosophies DO match, which also match mine. So it’s one happy triangle. Haha. :)

    Reply
  4. Agatha
    August 13, 2009 at 10:14 am (15 years ago)

    Hi Toni. I’ve been reading your blog for over a year now; and your entries about preparing for/ having a baby have been really helpful and insightful to me. I’m also expecting my first born by January of next year :). Just would like to ask you though, since this is also your first, when did your tummy start to show? I’m a bit anxious since i’m already on my 4th and there’s still no visible bump… anyway, I pray for your safe delivery and for your baby to be healthy! God bless :)
    .-= Agatha´s last blog ..Visiting the in-laws =-.

    Hi Agatha! I emailed you. :)

    I started showing around the 5th to 6th month. Before that, I just looked like I had one too many servings at a buffet. Women start showing at different times. 😉 What’s important is that the baby’s growth is on track whether or not your tummy’s showing or not!

    Reply
  5. Lara
    September 11, 2009 at 10:08 am (15 years ago)

    During the urgent medical needs of your children, you need to look for a proven and tested clinic which ensures the total medical recovery of your children.

    True.

    Reply
  6. Penelope Smith
    July 17, 2018 at 12:25 pm (6 years ago)

    This is some really good information about the pediatrician. It is good to know that it would be smart to start looking for one a few months before you are due. That is good for me to know because my sister is in a few months.

    Reply
  7. Ascend National
    August 27, 2019 at 3:32 pm (5 years ago)

    Finding pedia before the baby arrives is better. You can ask recommendations from your friends too.If you are not yet convinced, it may also be useful to verify the background from the prior job and have an interview.

    Reply
  8. Cameron Jackson
    September 25, 2019 at 8:45 pm (5 years ago)

    Finding a perfect pediatrician is a tough task and when it comes about our baby then we may get more concerned and worried and want to make sure that your baby get the special care and nourishment as well as healthy. Though thank you for the tips..X

    Reply
  9. Avi Clinics Hyderabad
    March 16, 2020 at 5:06 pm (4 years ago)

    Well described Good information for choosing the best maternity hospital for pregnant ladies. Avi Children’s clinic hospital is the best pediatric hospital in Hyderabad, our Hospital does everything in its power to provide its patients with what they need, faster recovery & peace of mind since there is nothing more important than the well-being of patients. AVI Children’s Clinic has dedicated all its resources to providing superlative equipment and services.

    Reply
  10. Emily
    March 27, 2020 at 7:08 pm (4 years ago)

    I just used one of those at-home pregnancy tests and it came back positive. My husband and I are really excited at the prospect of having our own little baby. I like your point about how important it is to schedule an appointment with your OBGYN as soon as possible. As you mentioned, the faster we see a doctor, the faster we’ll be on track to a healthy and safe pregnancy.

    Reply
  11. RIFAT
    November 27, 2020 at 5:21 pm (3 years ago)

    Thank you so much for this enlightening post, I have significantly got some thing right here and I will bookmark this page for your next upcoming post.

    Reply
  12. maikel
    January 23, 2021 at 10:34 am (3 years ago)

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  13. Medit
    March 23, 2021 at 4:10 pm (3 years ago)

    In order to choose the best hospital, ask which hospitals they think give the best care for your condition. Ask how well these hospitals check and improve their quality of care. It’s going to be okay!

    Reply

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