Preparing for Baby's Arrival
Interviewing prospective doctors
Finding the right doctor for your baby is well worth the effort it will take. Ideally you'll want to find someone who shares your philosophy of raising children. That way you'll feel more comfortable expressing your concerns and thoughts about your child's health.
Not only do you need to trust your doctor but you also need the doctor you choose to trust your mother's intuition. Here's how to shop for a doctor.
- Pediatrician or family practitioner? A pediatrician is specifically trained to treat children and is well versed in your baby's stages of development and childhood illnesses. Family practitioners treat patients of all ages and provide the convenience of one-stop doctoring by treating everyone in a family.
- Make a list of potential doctors. Ask friends and family members for references or call your hospital for a list of pediatricians or family practitioners who are accepting new patients. Also check with your health insurer for a list of approved physicians.
- Use the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Referral Service to help you find a trusted pediatrician.
- Call for a consultation. Before your baby is born, schedule a consultation with prospective doctors. Ask whether there's a fee when you set up the appointment.
- Bring a list of questions. Talk to the doctor and staff to get a better idea of how the office operates. Sit in the waiting room for a while to soak up the atmosphere and watch how the staff interacts with patients.
Check out our Pediatrician Interview Checklist.
