A few questions about when these things should be done?

Question

I am 20 weeks and 1 day pregnant. My due date is February 14th, 2008. Now that I am feeling better from my first trimester anguish, I am starting to think about things I'll need to do in the near future. If anyone could help me out and give me some advice on these issues, I'd greatly appreciate it.

1. When do I need to start looking for a hospital to have my baby in, and how soon should I sign up with one?

2. When do I need to select a pediatrician to care for my child after he is born?

3. I will have one year at my current job in November. I live and work in NE Ohio. I have excellent benefits at this job and am planning to take the maximum 12 week FMLA leave, which will be paid by my long-term disability insurance (which, by the way, I was covered for the day I started here). How soon do I need to apply for FMLA?

I am sure some of these things are for the later weeks, but any advice would be greatly welcomed. Thanks!!

Thanks so far, everyone. Great answers. To clarify, I do not live in the UK, I live in NE Ohio. I thought I mentioned that. As far as my medical leave is concerned, I misspoke...it is covered under short term disability for the entire time, but I believe you get a lesser amount of money if you are out past 6 weeks. I will clear this up with Human Resources here soon. Thanks!

Answer 1

I'm due with a Valentine's Day baby as well! ;)

1. Your midwife or doctor should be able to tell you where they deliver (mine used to give a choice of three different local hospitals), and if you have a few options, you let them know where you'd prefer and they'll send your info over when the time is right. Also be sure to ask about touring the Maternity Ward, because this is usually set up at the beginning of the third trimester (in case you go early). It really helps familiarize you with the facility so you know where to go and will feel more comfortable when you arrive in labor. You'll also get to see what the rooms are like and find out what the hospital provides and what you'll need to bring yourself (not much LOL). That sort of thing.

2. This should also be done at the beginning of the third trimester. Get some recommendations from family and friends -- preferably those that share your views on breastfeeding and things of that nature, since their pediatrician will likely be a better fit for your family -- and ask for a list of local providers from your insurance company. Then INTERVIEW THEM! So many parents seem to skip this step, but it's crucial if you want to be sure you've chosen the best person to care for your child. These introductory appointments are generally free of charge -- if they mention a fee, that doctor's not for you! -- and allow you to meet the doctor before baby is here (rather than with a crying newborn in your arms LOL), ask any questions regarding their views on breastfeeding, what hospitals they have priviledges at (and therefore where you child will likely be admitted if ever needed), average length of a well-baby check-up and wait time (ours is about 15 minutes) ... things of that nature. Make sure you're comfortable with the pediatrician and that they seem a good fit for you and your family, and once you make a decision, you merely have to have them sign a form saying that they will see the child following delivery. ;) I'm not certain if this is done all the time, but it is required for us, since we use a midwife and request early discharge a few hours after birth.

3. With our first pregnancy, we were advised to have this done as soon as possible, simply because the paperwork would already be in place should leave be needed sooner than expected (say, due to any unforeseen complications or a pre-term birth). Contact your benefits administrator for a definite time-line, however.

Hope that helps, and good luck! ;)

Answer 2

Your OB/GYN or Midwife is affiliated with a certain hospital. Whatever hospital they are with is where you will give birth. So no need to search. Sometime between your 24th and 30th week of pregnancy, they should give you a preadmission packet, if one was not provided with the big glob of paperwork that they always give at the first visit. Also, many hospitals give free tours. I highly recommend you take one so you know what to expect while you're there. They will tell you important things like when the main entrance closes and you have no choice but to go in through the emergency room entrance, certain policies or procedures they may have, and other important stuff that you should know. You can schedule this tour anytime (if you plan on taking childbirth classes through that hospital, many of them include the tour during that class time)

As for the pediatrician, start looking now. Ideally you should have a provider decided on by 36 weeks since after that point, it's fair game. The last thing you need to be doing with a newborn is searching for a decent doctor to care for her. If you don't have one chosen, or he or she is not affiliated with the hospital you give birth at, the on call Pedi for the hospital will care for and monitor your child until you go home.

As far as maternity leave & FMLA goes, talk to your human resources person. Most companies would like at least 30 days notice of your TENTATIVE last day, though they have to be flexible because lets face it, baby's come when they want to and not all pregnancies go as planned. Also, I have heard about short term disability covering maternity leave for up to 8 weeks if you have a normal vaginal birth - most providers will deem you medically disabled 2 weeks before your due date to 6 weeks after the baby is born (as this is the "recovery" period for your body). I have NEVER heard of pregnancy/maternity leave being covered under LONG Term disability, as you are not considered disabled for a long enough period to qualify. So don't be surprised if they won't cover it - if they do, for some reason, consider yourself extremely blessed. Again, this is something you will want to talk to your HR person about, or call the insurance company directly.

Good luck!

Answer 3

1. Your prenatal doctor probably works in connection with a hospital, therefore, ask your doctor which hospital he/she delivers at. If you do not have a prenatal doctor I suggest you find one. If you are going to a clinic or your OB does not work out of a hospital than do some research on the local hospitals and find the one you like the best or that offers the most maternal services and maybe even which has the largest/best neonatal services. You could also ask friends/family that have recently had babies where they recommend.

2. I would try to find a pediatrician now, you could also ask around about this. Ask some of your coworkers or friends who have kids who they use or wouldn't use to give you some input. I chose a pediatrician in the same medical plaza as my OBGYN, they also work out of the hospital where I delivered so they were there to treat him after birth. You can do this after he is born, but it is good to at least have an idea who you want.

3. Talk to the Human Resources Director through your employer, they will be able to best answer this question.

Good luck, relax, and enjoy!

Answer 4

Congrats on the baby. I'm due in Feb also on the 16th. Small world. I would start looking around at different hospitals pretty soon here. At the hospital that I'm delivering at they want me to pre register at 5 months. I would look for a pediatrician in a coulpe months or so. You'll want to call around and ask just general questions like was is your waiting time for a visit. YOu don't want to choose a doctor that isn't going to see your child for there 6 week check up until he's 6 months. And I think with the paid leave it takes effect when the baby is born so I would talk to them and find out. Which reminds me I need to find out what I need to do also. Thanks.

Answer 5

You can probably start on all of these right away that way you wont be so stressed when labor is getting close. A hospital to have the baby should be the one that your ob is on call with. Sometimes if the hospitals are close together they can work at more than one. Also just thought I would tell you that we are due the exact same day. Good luck with everything.

Answer 6

I would've thought you would've had the hospital in mind already. You go where your OB delivers (if you're using an OB). I made sure mine delivers at Fairview Hospital in Cleveland because they have one of the best Neo natal units in case anything should happen.

As far as a doc after your baby is born, I'm already thinking about them. I might pick the one my friend uses for her child and soon to be born child. Try picking one then looking up his/her credentials online or call and ask about them or even set up an appt to meet and ask questions.

Good luck! I need a nap now. Hope these answers help you a little.

Answer 7

The hospital you deliver at will be determined by your obstetrician. Ask him/her which hospital he/she has privileges at if you have a large number of hospitals in your area. I suppose in large metropolitan areas it is possible a doctor would have privileges at more than one hospital. If you have to choose, ask your doctor first for his/her recommendations. You can call and schedule a hospital tour anytime if you'd like to check out the facilities. You can start interviewing pediatricians now. You can also ask for suggestions from your OB. Most pediatrician offices offer an interview appointment. It is also helpful to ask people you know with kids who they use for a pediatrician. Ask people with kids where they delivered as well. First hand experience is always helpful. The human resource director at your job will be able to help you fill out the necessary paperwork in a timely manner for the FMLA. I imagine you can fill the paperwork out now and file it at the appropriate time.

Answer 8

1: you need to check with your GYNE which hospitals they or he uses. Once you know you really dont need to do anything, the gyne takes care of everything when time comes.
2) you needs to start doing profiles on peds NOW. its a hard long process to find a pediatrician you like and agrees with they way you want your baby cared for. some peds will do a telephone conversation with you to answer your questions, dont delay, time flies. Make sure they are contracted with your insurance too.
3: Your FMLA form usually gets filled out after your you start seeing the GYNE for pregnancy becuase you will need coverage for your visits with gyne, Now for the delivery it must be at least by your 36th wk, GOD willing and everything goes fine.
My biggest worry was finding a great peds for my baby, which i have and very happy with.

For now just enjoy being pregnant time flies and soon you will have your little one here.

Answer 9

if your were in the UK you should have already been booked into a hospital already? where did you have your 12week scan? i would advise looking for a hospital soon, as premature labour is possible, i had my son at 33weeks of pregnancy, ask people local to you about Their experience with maternity hospitals and then decide which one you think is best? I'm not sure how long before birth you need to be booked in for? i had my son on holiday so but was booked into a hospital from 8 weeks of pregnancy...

i would select a baby doctor before your baby is actually born to take him when he needs it saves looking for one when i is ill or when you are already under stress of a new baby...???

i think you need to apply for it at 5 months of pregnancy but not 100% sure, i do know you have to do it in writing and a long while before you plan on taken leave.... best to talk to your employer about this they will know best....

hope you get the advice you are looking for and good luck with new baby...

Answer 10

i would start looking for a pediatrician asap. it could take you a while to find someone you are comfortable with. there are lots of things to look for in a pediatrician. you will need to do some "shopping" around when it comes to that. you could just start by calling around and look for these things:
do they take your insurance,
their hospital affiliations,
office hours,
if they have regular daily call-in times,
if he practices in more than one office and how he splits his time between them,
how many other providers are in the practice,
how weekend and night calls are handled,
whether there is a separate waiting room for sick children,

then i would ask for an appointment to meet with the doctor and talk further if you are happy from here.

i have more helpful info about hospital visiting, if you wanna know more just email or IM me!