I dont know what I am doing...Help!

I am not understanding the pediatrician process. Do I pick one now and thats who comes up to the hospital? I am 26 weeks ...should I be interviewing? Also, do I call my insurance and tell them who my babies dr is before the baby is born? I am so confused!
I heard Mid suffolk pediatric is good on motor pkwy...is this a good place to start?

Re: I dont know what I am doing...Help!

You can pick a ped. before hand and the hosptial will call them when the baby's born so they see them in the hosptial, or you can have the ped. on call check them and discharge them. But you will need to bring your baby to the ped. when they are about a week old for their first visit, so it would be helpful if you had one picked out ahead of time.

You should ask your neighbors, friends who live near you and look on here for recommendations. I interviewed mine, but have a few friends who just went on recommendations.

You don't need to notify your insurance ahead of time.

Re: I dont know what I am doing...Help!

I asked my OB's office for reco's and then spoke to a few friends. Turns out the one my OB recommended a few friends went to so I just went and met with them and when I had my baby they asked who the ped was and they came to see the baby and met with me in the hospital.

Re: I dont know what I am doing...Help!

if you have a private ped that actually has privilages in the hospital you deliver in he will come in to see the baby. if not there are neonatologists that see your baby and give your ped a full report on discharge. it's not that important to pick a ped thats affiliated with the hospital the first exam is pretty straightfoward. Immunizations are done at the office with your ped and your ob does the circumcision so there' s nothing to worry about. the private ped always does his own assessment anyway!
edited to add: definitly interview as many peds as you can. i have many many many concerns about the way some peds do things and went thru 7 peds before i found the one i love. my concerns are somewhat unique i guess but FM me if you want an idea of questions i might ask in an interview.

Message edited 8/23/2006 11:22:39 AM.