Pediatrician?

Question

Should I have already decided on and scheduled a first appointment for baby due next week? Will the pediatrician come to see/examine baby in hospital before letting me go home? I'm a little confused on how this works. FTM.

Answer

I decided on my sons doctor when I was 25 weeks pregnant ... When I went into labor the my doctor didn't serve that hospital so the hospitals own pediatrician acted as my sons doctor while there and called my sons doctor with updates and to set up an appointment with her for me. I'm not sure if that's how they all work but it was pretty pleasant for me. My sons doctor has also been informed of the upcoming arrival of baby #2 due in 17 days so the hospital will basically do it for me again :)

Answer

I called around my area and none of the local ones serve the hospital I'm delivering at. 2 out of the 3 I called couldn't get me an appointment until September which is unacceptable. The third one was more reasonable: I just have to call them on the day of discharge from the hospital to set up baby's first appointment for 1-2 days after we get home. Easy peasy. Just call around and ask what their protocol is for accepting newborns.

Answer

You should pick one. If you don't the hospital can give you some referrals. At my hospital a staff pedi will come see baby after birth and send records to whichever you want. If you already had one who came to the hospital sometimes they come to their own births. If people don't pick a pedi at my hospital we will just send them to our peds clinic. So great if you pick one but not terrible if you haven't yet! They just won't let baby go without a follow up scheduled somewhere.

Answer

This is what I did. 
I found a pediatricians office close to me and went in to see if any of their doctors were accepting new patients, took my insurance, and were affiliated with the hospital I'm birthing at. They did, and was told that after I deliver to call their office and they will send a pediatrician out to see baby. After I get home I'll call again to set up his first appointment. I hope this helps!

Pediatrician?

Let's Glow!

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey