The Birthing Center
Choosing a Doctor for Your Baby

When Should I Make This Decision?

Select a doctor before your baby is born. If possible, have the doctor selected two months prior to the due date. Remember some babies come early!

How Do I Get Started?

The first question is whether you prefer a pediatrician or family practice physician.

• A pediatrician is a specialist who focuses on the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth through the teenage years. This specific focus keeps pediatricians up-to-date on changes in children's health care.
• A family practice physician is a generalist and sees patients of all ages. This allows your entire family to see the same doctor and develop a long-term, close relationship with one health care provider.

How Do I Find the Right Doctor for My Child?

• Contact your HMO or insurance company. They can send you a current doctor provider list, or they may post one on their Web site. You can also refer to the Our Physicians section of this Web site for a listing of physicians that have admitting privileges at Meriter. Know that some doctors in the Madison area may not be accepting new patients.
• Contact Meriter's DR4U service for a personalized recommendation. Just fill out the online form.
• Have your current doctor make recommendations.
• Talk to friends, relatives and co-workers who have children and share your parenting philosophies. Their experiences and understanding of your style provide a valuable resource.
• Consider if the doctor's age or gender is an important issue to you.
• Set up an appointment with one or two doctors to get acquainted and discuss specific issues. These consult appointments are usually scheduled around lunchtime or at the end of the day for about 20 minutes. This "interview" will help you make your choice.

What Should I Look for in a Doctor's Office?

Here are a few questions you may want to ask yourself or others as you are evaluating a doctor's office:

• How close is the doctor's office to your home? Convenience is important, especially when your child is sick. Sometimes parents like to use the same clinic for themselves and their child because it is familiar to them.
• What are the office hours? Who will see your child if his/her doctor is not available? Is there an after-hours clinic, staffed by pediatricians or family practice physicians?
• What is the procedure for gaining telephone access to your doctor or doctor's nurse during office hours?
• Can sick children usually be seen the day you call in? How far in advance must you schedule well child check-ups?
• What is the waiting room like? Is there a well child waiting room separate from the sick child waiting area? Is the area clean and child friendly? How many children are waiting? What is the average wait time?
• If you are in the waiting room, talk to other parents to determine if they are satisfied with the care their children are receiving.

What Questions Might Be Good to Ask the Doctors I am Considering?

In addition to getting a feel for the doctor's personality here are some questions you may wish to ask:

• Will you support the decisions I've made in my birth plan? (Customize a Birth Plan for your family on our site.)
• When do you come to the hospital to examine the new baby and visit the parents?
• Are you willing to explain things carefully and give instructions in writing?
• What are the suggested intervals for clinic visits?
• What can you tell me about the circumcision procedure? Can I be present?
• What do I need to know about immunizations? Do you recommend the Hepatitis B immunization while the baby is in the hospital?
• What kind of support do you offer to breastfeeding mothers? Can I have the baby weighed between appointments if I am concerned?
• Which doctor in your group practices most like you?
• How do you handle referrals?
• Which parenting and childcare books do you recommend?

What Should I Do After I Have Decided Upon a Doctor?

• When you are admitted to the hospital for delivery you will be asked to name your child's doctor. The hospital will then contact his/her office.
• After your baby's birth you will need to call your insurance company to add the baby to your policy. At that time you will report your choice of doctor.
• Continue to evaluate your decision as you work with your child's doctor.

Carefully considering the choice of your child's doctor prior to the baby's birth will increase your confidence as you become a new parent. Finding a good doctor/family match will ease the stress of your child's "sick days" and set the stage for preventive health care throughout your baby's childhood and teen years.

10/1/2007