HOW TO CHOOSE & SECURE A PEDIATRICIAN WHILE PREGNANT

Friday, 13 January 2023

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First of all…Congratulations on your pregnancy!

What an exciting time of life this is for you and your growing family.

From monitoring fetal movements to creating your birth plan, there is a TON to worry about while you are pregnant. But, to ensure you find a Pediatrician that's a good fit for you and your little one, we suggest starting your search during your second trimester of pregnancy.

What to look for in a Pediatrician

Whether you search online, call prospective Pediatric offices directly, or rely on the recommendations of friends and family, there are a few things you will want to consider as you assess each practice.

1) Availability

Depending on the flexibility of your schedule (and that of your significant other), your Pediatrician's availability may be a critical factor in your decision. If you work regular business hours and cannot easily take off time for doctor's appointments during the week, check to make sure your doctor offers weekend availability.

You may also want to ask how the office would respond if your particular doctor becomes unavailable. Are there other nurses or doctors that could see your child?

Or what if your child has an urgent medical emergency? Does the Pediatrician offer same-day appointments? Would they give preference to your child's needs above other less urgent routine well-checks?

2) Insurance Compatibility

Of course, affordability must also play a role in your choice of Pediatrician. Make sure your prospective doctor takes your particular insurance.

It's also a good idea to become familiar with the office's policy concerning payment. Do they require payment at the time of service? What about co-pays and deductibles? In what forms do they accept payment? (cash, credit, checks, etc.)

3) High Standard of Care

What can you glean from the clinic's website and patient reviews about the bedside demeanor and attentiveness of their providers and staff? What do the reviews indicate about the quality of care you can expect for your child?

Does the practice provide ample child health resources on their website for curious parents? Do they maintain a regular, relevant blog? These online resources may be a strong indicator of the kind of care the doctors and nurses provide in-office.

4) Shared Values

Doctors have varying opinions about particular child health issues – such as breastfeeding, circumcision, vaccination, and certain medications.

If you hold strong feelings about any given medical concern, you may want to make sure your prospective Pediatrician shares your beliefs – or will at least respect your desires for your child's care.

5) Accessibility

What if you need to reach your child's doctor after hours? What accommodations does the provider offer for such situations?

Keep your eyes out for an easy-access Patient Portal or contact information for a 24/7 Triage nurse. Such services suggest that your provider will make themselves available to respond to your urgent questions whenever needed.

6) Proximity

Last but not least, you'll want to select a Pediatrician with an office relatively close to your home. If there is an emergency and you need to get your child to the doctor quickly, you'll be happy you choose a provider that's just a short drive away.

How to secure your pediatrician of choice

To set your child up as a new patient with your desired Pediatrician, the first step is most likely going to be to get in touch with their front desk staff.

Many Pediatric practices require expecting parents to stop by for an office visit or meet-and-greet several months before the child is born. However, many of these traditions underwent changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

NOTE: If doctors don't have enough remaining space for many more patients, some practices may implement a temporary policy in which they will only accept patients expecting newborns.

CAROLINA PEDIATRICS | WILMINGTON & HAMPSTEAD, NC

Looking for a Pediatrician in Hampstead or Wilmington, North Carolina? You are in the right place! Call us today at 910-763-2476 (Wilmington, NC office) or 910-777-2013 (Hampstead, NC office).