Prenatal Information

Pediatricians are trained to take care of children from birth through young adulthood. A very important part of planning for your baby’s arrival is selecting a Pediatrician. Many offices will offer opportunities to meet with a doctor prior to your delivery, either through “meet and greets” with multiple providers in the office, or one-on-one visits with a specific Pediatrician of your choice. These are a great chance for you to see the office, ask any questions you may have, talk with the doctor and see if he or she will be a good fit for your family. 

It is beneficial for you to have selected a Pediatrician prior to the birth of your baby. Upon check-in at the hospital when you are in labor, one of the questions you will be asked is, “Who is your baby’s Pediatrician?” This is important because it allows the hospital to send information to the Pediatrician’s office when you and your baby are discharged home.  Many hospital systems now have a group of doctors on staff that care for infants within the hospital, so your chosen Pediatrician may not see your baby until the first office visit.

Questions to ask at a prenatal visit

Really, you can ask us anything, that’s what we are here for. Here are some examples of common questions I have encountered during prenatal visits: 

• Advice on breastfeeding. Pediatricians are a great resource for you regarding breastfeeding. If you are able to breastfeed, it is highly recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC. 

• What to expect at the hospital. Your newborn will have a head-to-toe exam by a doctor every day. There are important medical tests, including congenital heart disease screening, hearing screening, jaundice testing, and a blood test for genetic diseases called the Newborn Screen. Infants also receive a Vitamin K injection to help with blood clotting, the first Hepatitis B vaccination, and an antibiotic ointment for their eyes. If you have specific questions about any of these procedures, the prenatal visit is a good time to ask.

• How often do infants come in for check ups? We see newborns and infants frequently for the first year because they grow and change so quickly. The first visit usually occurs within the first few days after discharge, and the timing depends on several factors – how much weight has your baby lost since birth, is baby breastfeeding or formula feeding, is there concern for jaundice. After that initial visit, well-child checkups are recommended at age 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months.

• What if my baby needs extra care? If there is something in particular about your pregnancy that you are concerned about – high-risk pregnancy, abnormalities found on prenatal ultrasounds, etc – be sure to bring it up.

• Circumcision. If you are having a boy, the decision regarding circumcision is one you will need to make. This procedure is usually done in the hospital on the day of discharge home. There are some clear medical benefits to circumcision, including decreased risk of urinary tract infections in the first year of life, and decreased risk of sexually transmitted infections later on in life.  Ultimately, this is still an elective procedure and the decision is up to you. 

• Office policies on vaccines. Some practices do not see patients who are not vaccinated, some will require Refusal to Vaccinate forms to be signed by parents, some do not have any policies at all. If the issue is important to you, find out ahead of time how your chosen practice handles vaccine refusal.

• Insurance coverage. Honestly, this is usually a better question for the front desk or the billing office of the clinic. They will be able to give you details regarding your insurance and if it is accepted by the office. 

• Tell me about yourself. The prenatal visit is a great chance for you to get to know your potential Pediatrician a little better. A good relationship between doctor and patient and parent is essential to the health of your growing child. Make sure the doctor you choose is someone you feel you can trust and enjoy seeing on a regular basis.

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