While you are anxiously awaiting your baby’s arrival, now is the time to decide who your pediatrician or family physician for your baby should be. Waiting until your child arrives could mean having to pick an unfamiliar name from the phone book and no one to call in case of an emergency.
Gather a list of potential providers by asking your friends, colleagues at work, healthcare professionals, other parents, family members, childbirth educators, and others. Once you’ve created a list of potential doctors, select a couple of your top choices and call their offices to set up an interview. Explain your situation (i.e., you are 28 weeks pregnant), that you are looking for a pediatrician, and you’d like to schedule an interview with the doctor. Ask if a fee is involved. Some doctors won’t charge, and others will.
If possible, both mom and partner should attend these meetings. You can compare notes afterward and find you have different feelings about the interview, doctor, and office. Try to visit a couple of different doctors for comparison purposes. Have your list of questions ready.
Questions to Ask Yourself
- Why does the person recommending this physician like them?
- Are they in alignment with my parenting views?
Questions to Ask on the Phone - Before the Appointment
- What hospital is the physician associated with?
- What is the doctor’s policy on vaccinations? CDC? Alternate?
- Do you have a lactation consultant that is available at the office?
- Are separate well (non-contagious) and sick (contagious) waiting rooms available?
- What do we do if our baby gets sick and your office is closed?
- Does the doctor perform tongue-tie revisions?
- Does the doctor perform the newborn hearing screen at the office?
- Does the doctor perform the newborn metabolic screen at the office?
- Does the doctor perform newborn circumcision at the office?
Basic Questions for the Physician
- I am having my baby out-of-the hospital, and my midwife will be caring for my baby and me in the first several days, providing complete check-ups. When would you like to see the baby? Would you feel comfortable if we waited a couple of weeks?
- Solo practice: Who is the covering doctor? Does he/she follow your principles?
- Are you supportive of families who co-sleep?
Breastfeeding Questions
- If my breastfed baby seems to have trouble gaining weight, what would you suggest I do?
- Would you ever recommend putting my baby on a feeding schedule?
- Under what conditions do you suggest I supplement with formula?
Holistic Health Practices
- What is your policy on antibiotics? (do you try alternatives before prescribing antibiotics?)
- Will you work with us on an alternate/delayed vaccination schedule?
- What information do you provide parents about circumcision?
- Do you believe it is helpful to retract a boy’s foreskin for any reason?
Observation of Physician and Office
- What is the doctor’s “bedside manner”? The kind of doctor you feel comfortable being around will depend on your individual taste.
- Did you notice formula samples/literature in the office waiting room or exam room?
- Did you notice breastfeeding posters, pictures, or information?
- Were you treated courteously, curtly, or indifferently on the phone by the staff?
- Upon arrival at the office, did you get a cheerful welcome? Was the receptionist friendly/distant? Were the staff responsive and patient with the children?
- Was the office clean, presentable, and appropriate for children?
Importantly
- Do you feel comfortable with this physician?
- Do you like their bed-side manner?
- Do you feel like they would be a good fit for your family?
- Do you feel like you could discuss issues with the physician, without feeling judged?
Your Philosophy
Finding a pediatrician or family physician in sync with your parenting philosophy is important, especially concerning vaccinations and circumcision. These sometimes-controversial subjects are better to discuss in the early months of pregnancy, which will give you and your partner more time to make informed and thoughtful decisions.
