During the final months of your pregnancy, you will want to start considering who will provide medical care for your baby after he or she is born. You should start your search for a pediatrician during the last trimester. A good place to begin is by asking family, friends, co workers and neighbors who they use. Seek advice from people with similar beliefs to yours to find a doctor who will be a good fit for your family.
Some Questions to Ask Friends:
How do your kids respond to the doctor?
What is the average length of time you spend in the waiting room?
How much time do you have during the visit to ask questions or voice concerns?
Is the doctor receptive to questions and concerns?
Do you feel comfortable with the advice the doctor gives you?
Once you have narrowed your choice of doctors to a few, set up an appointment for an interview. Many offer this service for free. An interview gives you the chance to see how the doctor’s philosophy and personality meshes with your own. You can get a feel for the doctor and if he will be a good fit for you and your family.
While you are waiting for your appointment, take a look at the waiting area. Are there separate areas for sick and well children? It’s good if the office has separate waiting areas for sick children. Germs can be spread if your well baby is sitting next to a very ill child. Observe the office staff. Do they seem friendly and helpful, or overwhelmed and harried?
Speaking with the doctor will give you a good idea of his personality. Does he seem willing to listen to your concerns? Is he open and friendly or very authoritarian? This is often a matter of preference. Some parents are comfortable with a doctor who is in control, while others want to be a partner in health care decisions. Does he offer parenting advice? Do you want this kind of advice? Some people welcome the information, while others would prefer the doctor stick to medical information, rather than telling them how to parent the child. Again, this is a matter of preference.
Ask questions and note how he responds. This will give you an indication of how he will respond in the future.
Questions to Ask the Doctor:
Ask about areas of sub specialty
Where does the doctor have hospital privileges?
Are there specific times for phone calls?
Is the doctor available by e-mail?
What is the procedure for phone calls after hours?
Ask other health related questions that are important for your family. If you are planning to breastfeed, ask specific questions about this subject. You will want a pro breastfeeding doctor that will be supportive of your feeding choices. You will have more success and breastfeed longer with a supportive doctor.
Ask questions about immunizations to be sure the doctor’s philosophy matches your own. You may want to ask additional questions about parenting methods, co sleeping, discipline and other issues that are important to your family. Some doctors are very preachy on these subjects, while others believe the decision should be up to the parents.
If you will be having a boy, ask about circumcision. Some are very pro circumcision, while others follow newer guidelines by the AAP advising against circumcision in all babies. Much of this depends on the age of the doctor and his own beliefs. Again, you want to be sure his beliefs are in line with your own. This is particularly important if you are planning on not having the procedure done. In this case, you want to be sure the doctor is knowledgeable about intact boys and how to care for them.
Taking the time to discuss all important issues now can save you the headache of having a doctor that is not a good match for your family. Of course, your decision is not written in stone. If you decide this doctor isn’t right for you, you can always change later.