Pregnant and almost ready to deliver your baby? Children’s Physicians Medical Group is here to help. One of the most important decisions you’re now faced with is choosing a pediatrician. Most parents-to-be ask their friends and family for recommendations, which is a great way to start the process. Here are some tips and questions to ask before choosing who cares for your family’s latest addition.
Referrals from family and friends? Ask them this:
– Why do you recommend your doctor?
– How long have you been with them?
– What’s the office atmosphere like?
You should feel comfortable with the pediatrician you choose:
– They should be warm, compassionate and open minded to your thoughts and feelings
– They should complement your own personality
– You should feel comfortable asking questions, no matter how trivial they may seem
Before making a decision, schedule an interview with the doctor:
-You’ll have a chance to see the office in action
-You can ask the doctor some general questions, like what should you do if your baby’s sick and it’s after office hours
In the end, go with what your gut instinct tells you. You’ll be doing that a lot as a parent!
CPMG has a network of doctors countywide, all specially trained to care for kids – so you can find the perfect fit for your child. Call our customer service department at 1 1-877-276-4543 to find a pediatrician near you, or visit our website for more in-depth information on our doctors, health topics, and more. To start a discussion on a health issue important to you, be sure to visit our blog, Kids’ Health 1st, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, too!
I agree that you need to be comfortable when a pediatrician to the level that you can ask them any question. It would seem that when you are dealing with your child’s health you would want to find someone who you can trust. My current pediatrician just recently retired, so I’ll have to find a new one that I have that same comfort level with as I did my old one.
You made a good point to ask for referrals first from friends and family before choosing the right pediatrician for your baby. They may know someone whom they have probably worked with before and is highly recommended. Some of the questions you can ask are how long they have known the pediatrician, what is good about the pediatrician, and what the atmosphere is like inside the office. This would somehow give you an idea if that person is the right one for you and your baby. If I were to look for a pediatrician myself, I would also consider these factors. Thanks.