Picking a pediatrician....

Crud... i haven't done this yet and my c-section is on Tuesday. Do I HAVE to pick a pediatrician before she is born? Do they have to be there after the birth? Can I just pick one now, and change if I don't like them? I have no idea what to even ask them. I don't live in NY, so I can't ask you guys for a referral. And our friends ped is not in my plan.

Re: Picking a pediatrician....

I would try and line one up for after you get out of the hospital. Ours wants to see us one or two days after we are discharged from the hospital. We did not go and interview anyone, instead I looked up one in my plan, found someone else that used her and recommended her, then called the office asked them a bunch of questions, which the doctor herself was standing there answering. I didn't feel it was necessary to go ahead of time, I want to see her in action with my baby, so if I don't like her on the first visit, I know to look for another one. So, don't panic, they do not have to be at the hospital, mine won't be. There are on call doc that will check your baby out. Just try to get one for after you are discharged, they will want to see you within the week. Good Luck!!

Re: Picking a pediatrician....

You can always change!

Our lamaze coach said that the Drs are used to getting calls saying you have a new baby.....
Also if you dont have one they will give you the on call pediatrician...not sure who you would go to for the appt a few days after you get home though!

Re: Picking a pediatrician....

The hosptial will assign a pediatrician for you if you don't have one already. It is usually recommended that you see someone pretty quickly after you leave the hosptial (2-3 days I believe), so you should have someone in mind, even if you don't meet the doctor in advance.

You can definitely switch if you aren't happy with your first choice! DH and I got stressed about this also, then we realized we don't have to stay with the same doctor if we don't care for her.

Good luck on Tuesday!