Questions for Potential Pediatrician?

Virginia · 07-21-2017, 03:28 PM

I'm 35 weeks pregnant and meeting with two pediatric practices next week to meet all their doctors/NPs.

What are some questions I need to make sure I ask them?

FYI, we do plan to fully vax, although we are delaying at least one vaccine (Hep B), we do not plan to co-sleep with baby in bed (bassinet in room), and I do plan to breastfeed exclusively, if any of that is relevant

TIA!

MegMarch · 07-21-2017, 03:35 PM

Is there an office policy on vax?
Is there an after hours nurses line?
Do they have a LC in house, or that they refer out to?
How do they support breastfeeding?
Do they have carseat techs or events?
Do they have flu shot clinics or do you have to make a regular appointment?

As far as sleep and solids, imo, unless you have health concerns, pediatricians are just not the ones to ask. They tend to have dated info and aren't experts in those areas

tempus vernum · 07-21-2017, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MegMarch

Is there an office policy on vax?
Is there an after hours nurses line?
Do they have a LC in house, or that they refer out to?
How do they support breastfeeding?
Do they have carseat techs or events?
Do they have flu shot clinics or do you have to make a regular appointment?

As far as sleep and solids, imo, unless you have health concerns, pediatricians are just not the ones to ask. They tend to have dated info and aren't experts in those areas

I definitely don't ask parenting related questions. I personally keep those private.

Do they schedule far enough in advance u can schedule next well baby before you leave?
How many doctors are in the practice? Do u float between them or do u get assigned to one?
Do they have visiting rights at the children's hospital?
Do they have digital records? And if yes, do they have a digital chart for parents to View?
Will they come to the hospital to examine after you give birth? Or if not, when will they see the baby for first appointment?
Do they have Saturday appointments? How late are regular "we'll check up" appointments?
Does your schedule allow "same day sick Visits" or send you to urgent care"

I am thinking

Aerynne · 07-21-2017, 05:19 PM

Do they have different waiting areas and exam rooms for well and sick children?

How long does it take to get an appointment (this will vary even within the same office, but you need somewhere you can get in same day if you need to)?

But mostly you want to enjoy talking with them, feel like they are listening to you, etc.

tempus vernum · 07-21-2017, 05:20 PM

One more digital question- if digital is important to you. Do they do digital messaging and digital appointment scheduling?

Aerynne · 07-21-2017, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonshineMama

One more digital question- if digital is important to you. Do they do digital messaging and digital appointment scheduling?

oh, yes, and digital lab/test results

ECingMama · 07-21-2017, 05:33 PM

My ped didn't ask if we co-sleep. Ped asked if we had a separate area for baby to sleep. I said yes. We have a pack n play set up. And we have a co-sleeper that goes wherever, including in the bed. She did sleep in it the first two nights before I wasn't "afraid of her" lol and moved her into bed. She slept a couple of hours in the pack n play too.

I wouldn't engage on any topic outside of *relevant* medical issues with a ped.

I guess I'd ask about bili blanket v admission for jaundice.

Virginia · 07-25-2017, 04:34 AM

Consultation with one practice this morning and another practice Thursday morning. Thanks to y'all, I am armed with some great questions!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Virginia · 07-31-2017, 07:02 AM

I'm sorry to hear about the negative experiences.

We don't use the hospital that's connected to the university/med school

We use a different network of hospitals. But being here near the med school means there's no shortage of doctors and nurses, unlike in a more rural area

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

mamacat · 07-31-2017, 09:31 AM

Yeah just threw that in there because some people equate the big teaching hospitals with the best dr.s and latest technology care and sometimes much better to use the other medical centers available

Virginia · 07-31-2017, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamacat

Yeah just threw that in there because some people equate the big teaching hospitals with the best dr.s and latest technology care and sometimes much better to use the other medical centers available

Ah gotcha. Thanks

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Soliloquy · 08-01-2017, 01:54 PM

We've always been happy with a provider in solo practice or with just one partner. The times we've gone to a large clinic it's been a less than stellar experience. Our whole family sees the same HCP and it's really wonderful.

Personally, I love a research/teaching hospital when no one can figure out what is wrong. We've had multiple bad experiences in the ER of community hospitals.

tempus vernum · 08-01-2017, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soliloquy

We've always been happy with a provider in solo practice or with just one partner.

Personally, I love a research/teaching hospital when no one can figure out what is wrong.

and

we have two great providers who are solo practitioners. And I have FINALLY gotten accepted into the research facility for my concussions

. While they know what's wrong, no one can figure out how to fix my visual perceptive/spatial issues.

mipennsn · 07-31-2017, 06:25 PM

I find that true too about big university children's hospitals. We have a well known, well recognized university children's hospital about 2 hours from us straight down the highway or we can choose to drive 2 hours over state roads (minimal highway) to another children's hospital that better meets our family's needs. We choose to go to the second, even before we had family in the area.

knitlove · 08-01-2017, 08:15 PM

I do all the required ( but not all the recommended ) vax. I still pushed my ped when looking to find one who was ok with not vaxing because I wanted a Dr who would work with me and not just tell me what to do. The vax question was an easier in to ask to get a call on wheather they would work worth parents who they disagreade with than many of the other picible situations.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

07-21-2017, 03:28 PM	#1
Virginia Rose Garden Don't mind my faces. They usually don't mean anything. Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 8,644	Questions for Potential Pediatrician? I'm 35 weeks pregnant and meeting with two pediatric practices next week to meet all their doctors/NPs. What are some questions I need to make sure I ask them? FYI, we do plan to fully vax, although we are delaying at least one vaccine (Hep B), we do not plan to co-sleep with baby in bed (bassinet in room), and I do plan to breastfeed exclusively, if any of that is relevant TIA! __________________ Christine WAHM as writer/editor; part-time high school teacher; wife to pharmacist DH since 7.31.2010 Lila in heaven, 8/2015 DD1 "KO" born 8/2017 DD2 GIRL born 1/2020 My Blog- full of opinions and teacher stories

07-21-2017, 03:35 PM	#2
MegMarch Rose Garden Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 5,922	Re: Questions for Potential Pediatrician? Is there an office policy on vax? Is there an after hours nurses line? Do they have a LC in house, or that they refer out to? How do they support breastfeeding? Do they have carseat techs or events? Do they have flu shot clinics or do you have to make a regular appointment? As far as sleep and solids, imo, unless you have health concerns, pediatricians are just not the ones to ask. They tend to have dated info and aren't experts in those areas

07-21-2017, 05:19 PM	#4
Aerynne Rose Garden Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 27,359	Re: Questions for Potential Pediatrician? Do they have different waiting areas and exam rooms for well and sick children? How long does it take to get an appointment (this will vary even within the same office, but you need somewhere you can get in same day if you need to)? But mostly you want to enjoy talking with them, feel like they are listening to you, etc. __________________ Erin born of water and of the Spirit 4/96 married 5/02 Mama to: 2004 2007 2010 2012 2017 2019 Jan 2, 2024 And many I hope to hold in heaven one day

07-21-2017, 05:20 PM	#5
tempus vernum Rose Garden I am the mountain. I am not the storm and the storm is not me. -Ian Cron Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 28,913	Re: Questions for Potential Pediatrician? One more digital question- if digital is important to you. Do they do digital messaging and digital appointment scheduling? __________________ ~Spring always comes after winter~ 2 Corinthians 4:16 “ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ”

07-21-2017, 05:33 PM	#7
ECingMama Rose Garden Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 16,750	Re: Questions for Potential Pediatrician? My ped didn't ask if we co-sleep. Ped asked if we had a separate area for baby to sleep. I said yes. We have a pack n play set up. And we have a co-sleeper that goes wherever, including in the bed. She did sleep in it the first two nights before I wasn't "afraid of her" lol and moved her into bed. She slept a couple of hours in the pack n play too. I wouldn't engage on any topic outside of relevant medical issues with a ped. I guess I'd ask about bili blanket v admission for jaundice. __________________ ENFp Wife who is thankful to be in love....17 years Homeschooling Mom of three....15 DD dancer and 12 DS mountain biker and 5 DD calico critter and dolly mommy 12/2014 8/2015 11/2015 9/2016

07-25-2017, 04:34 AM	#8
Virginia Rose Garden Don't mind my faces. They usually don't mean anything. Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 8,644	Re: Questions for Potential Pediatrician? Consultation with one practice this morning and another practice Thursday morning. Thanks to y'all, I am armed with some great questions! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Christine WAHM as writer/editor; part-time high school teacher; wife to pharmacist DH since 7.31.2010 Lila in heaven, 8/2015 DD1 "KO" born 8/2017 DD2 GIRL born 1/2020 My Blog- full of opinions and teacher stories

07-31-2017, 07:02 AM	#9
Virginia Rose Garden Don't mind my faces. They usually don't mean anything. Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 8,644	Re: Questions for Potential Pediatrician? I'm sorry to hear about the negative experiences. We don't use the hospital that's connected to the university/med school We use a different network of hospitals. But being here near the med school means there's no shortage of doctors and nurses, unlike in a more rural area Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Christine WAHM as writer/editor; part-time high school teacher; wife to pharmacist DH since 7.31.2010 Lila in heaven, 8/2015 DD1 "KO" born 8/2017 DD2 GIRL born 1/2020 My Blog- full of opinions and teacher stories

07-31-2017, 09:31 AM	#10
mamacat Rose Garden Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 26,473	Re: Questions for Potential Pediatrician? Yeah just threw that in there because some people equate the big teaching hospitals with the best dr.s and latest technology care and sometimes much better to use the other medical centers available __________________ ~Catherine~ Mama to 5: C W C J S And Grandma to 3: A ,K and baby C

08-01-2017, 01:54 PM	#12
Soliloquy Rose Garden Why climb a mountain? Because it's there! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Selkirk Mountains Posts: 52,860	Re: Questions for Potential Pediatrician? We've always been happy with a provider in solo practice or with just one partner. The times we've gone to a large clinic it's been a less than stellar experience. Our whole family sees the same HCP and it's really wonderful. Personally, I love a research/teaching hospital when no one can figure out what is wrong. We've had multiple bad experiences in the ER of community hospitals.

07-31-2017, 06:25 PM	#14
mipennsn Rose Garden Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 6,389	Re: Questions for Potential Pediatrician? I find that true too about big university children's hospitals. We have a well known, well recognized university children's hospital about 2 hours from us straight down the highway or we can choose to drive 2 hours over state roads (minimal highway) to another children's hospital that better meets our family's needs. We choose to go to the second, even before we had family in the area. __________________ Autum - esFJ Wife to Russ - EnFj Mommy to my boys T (15 ), W (13), D (10), & My GIRL H who is 7! Full time mommy and breadwinner for my family

08-01-2017, 08:15 PM	#15
knitlove Rose Garden Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Seattle area Posts: 21,260	Re: Questions for Potential Pediatrician? I do all the required ( but not all the recommended ) vax. I still pushed my ped when looking to find one who was ok with not vaxing because I wanted a Dr who would work with me and not just tell me what to do. The vax question was an easier in to ask to get a call on wheather they would work worth parents who they disagreade with than many of the other picible situations. Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk __________________ Wife to a wonderful DH for 19 years. Momma to my 29 weeker Early Bird who is thirteen and my little Wiggle Worm born 33 weeks who is nine. How do I have a teenager?! I don't feel ready for this.

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