when should i start looking for a doctor for my son?

Question

i am having my first child in april. when should i get a doctor for him? and how do i do that?

Answer 1

You want to have a doctor picked out before you go to deliver. They will be responsible for taking care of the baby both in the hospital and after.
You can use your family doctor - if they care for newborns. Some GPs don't like to accept infants into their practice, I don't exactly know why, but they may not.
As for how to find one - ask you OB for suggestions. You could ask your childbirth class instructor, or ask friends who have children (The age of their child doesn't matter.).
You can schedule an interview with the prospective pediatricians, and I would recommend it. You want to make sure your personalities click.
Best of luck to you. Enjoy these last couple of months of pregnancy. Even though you'll probably get to the stage you'll think it will never end - it will be over so soon. Then you'll have a beautiful new life in your arms.
For all the advice you get, and everything you read along the way - when he gets here the best things you can do are: love him -totally completely head over heels crazily and use your common sense. If you do those two things, you will have a happy, well adjusted youngster.
Good luck, and God bless you and your family.

Answer 2

I got a list at my "Baby Basics" class at the hospital (but I am sure any hospital would have a list of doc's who come there to see new babies). I aksed around to find out who my freind's used for thier kids. I made appointments with 2 pediatricians while I was still pregnant.....7th month, I think. I choose 2 that I heard good things about, and that had offices that I could get to faily easiely from my house.

I LOVED the first one and told her I wanted her to be my baby's doctor.....she sat and talked with me and my husband for abotu a half hour......we talked about her philosophy on medicine and mine, and realized that we were well matched. She happily agreed to take the baby on as a new patient. We filled out all the forms with mine/my husband's demographic information and insurance information, and my approximate due date and they created a new-patient file for the baby.

When I registered at the hospital to deliver, I had to give them my OB's name and the new pediatrician's name. The had the ped's on the chart and when the baby was born, she came right in to examine the baby the next morning. She has been her doctor ever since.

Answer 3

I got a list of providers from my insurance company
And then I made appointments with the doctors in our area.
And then I interviewed them and when I found one that I liked I filled out as much of the new patient paper work as I could.

Once baby was born, I called the doctor from the hospital and scheduled his first appointment (about a week after birth)...and that's it. Now we go in for all our well baby appointments and it's all good. :)

By the way...the sooner you do it the better...I was soooo tired toward the end...I think I did mine in august..and we delivered October 21st.

Oh and also ...they will LOVE you if you get in contact with your insurance provider ASAP and get his card issued. I brought in my son's insurance card at his second appointment and the girls at the front desk acted like I had parted the red sea...apparently people really stall on that?? I don't know...I just know they were thrilled that all his paperwork was done in advance (mostly) and that he was insured in a timely manner.

Answer 4

You should start looking now. Interview the local pediatricians and ask friends and family. You should have a doctor lined up for him in case you he needs a doctor immediately. Not to mention your first pediatrician appointment will be within weeks of the baby's birth. Good Luck & Congrats!

Answer 5

Now is probably a good idea, though my husband & I didn't even think about it til we were in the delivery room and our daughter's new pediatrician was checking her out! It just never occurred to us. Check out the pediatricians that are A) covered by your insurance, and B) services the hospital you're planning on delivering your baby at.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Your baby will see a pediatrician in the hospital and then very soon and often after born. Your going to get to know the pediatrician just like you're getting to know the OBGYN. I'd start looking soon, ask friends and family if they see someone they really like. Better to be prepared. Good luck to you.

Answer 7

talk to friends and family that have kids. see if they like their pediatrician. ask how he/she is with their kids. then call, give them your delivery date and take it from there. if you have your pediatrician already they will come to the hospital after you have the baby and do the check-ups there. he will need to go to the doctor a week after you have him for his first well check! we called a month before we had our first baby. leaving our pediatrician was the worse thing about moving. he was the best! if anyone is looking for a pediatrician in columbus ohio go to Dr. Lee Budin(building blocks pediatrics). HE IS THE BEST!!! CONGRATUALTIONS!

Answer 8

Start asking around to see who's the best in your area. Most pediatricians will meet with you before the baby is born. When you go into the hospital to have the baby, they will ask who your pediatrician is. He or she will go to the hospital after the baby is born for his/her first check-up. Good luck!

Answer 9

start looking now he will have alot of appointments in the beginning ask around for a good pediatritian. then see if u can get an appt to talk one on one with them before hes born to make sure theyre right 4 u good luck and congrats

Answer 10

You should have when you enter your 3rd trimester. Get some recommendations from your friends and OB/GYN. Interview the doctor. Pick someone you like.