Searching for a Pediatrician

So you've hit your 20 week mark of pregnancy, live in a bigger city and are overwhelmed with the number of choices of pediatricians! The good news is you are ahead of schedule, which will give you ample time to interview pediatricians and visit their clinics. A meet & greet is essential before your give birth, especially if you live in larger city and the possibilities seem endless.

• Start with creating a list of #pediatricians or clinics in your surrounding area. Perhaps your OBGYN/MidWife has some referrals or resources for you.

• Ask around, if you have friends in the area that have had kids or colleagues, ask them what pediatrician they use.

• Narrow down your list, 3-5 possibilities and set up a meet and greet with at least 3.

You're at your meet and greet, now what! Depending not the clinic they may not have a packet of information for you to take, nor do they have a list of FAQs that they go through. So here is a list of Questions to help get you started:

• What is your childcare philosophy? What are your views on vaccines, antibiotics, alternative medicine, bottle feeding, circumcision, sleep training, etc.?

• Will you discuss issues such as parenting strategies and my child’s emotional and social development?

• How long does a typical check-up last? Ideally, at least 20 minutes.

• Is this a solo or group practice? If it’s solo, who covers you when you’re gone? If it’s a group, how often will we see the other doctors in the practice?

• What are the office hours? If you go on vacation who would we call.

• How are emergencies handled? Some offices accommodate same-day walk-in visits. Ask how after-hours emergencies and questions are handled.

• Is there a call-in policy? Some pediatricians have a specific call-in period each day. In some practices, a nurse answers routine questions. Find out how such phone calls are taken and if there is a charge.

• Do you make house calls?

• Does the practice accept our insurance?

• Does it accept a variety of plans in case your coverage changes?

• Is a payment plan possible if you are not covered?

• Which hospital is the doctor affiliated with? If my child has to be hospitalized, where would he be admitted?

• What kinds of tests or bloodwork can be done in-house?

• Will your initial meeting with my baby be at the hospital or the first checkup?

• How far in advance do well appointments need to be scheduled?