It’s exciting, isn’t it? Getting THAT news.
Sometimes you’ve been planning for a while, sometimes you’ve been waiting for longer than you thought you could bear, and sometimes it’s just a great surprise.
Whenever it comes, that news that you’re pregnant often lights a spark of excitement and the beginning of years of hopes and dreams.
Once the spark is lit, the questions come faster than you can think. Whose eyes will he have? Will she have straight hair like Mom’s family or curly hair like Dad’s? What will they become when they grow up?
But have you also thought about who their paediatrician will be?
When is the right time to have your first paediatric visit?
Now you might be saying there’s plenty of time, several months ahead of us, but it’s never too early to start thinking about who your child’s doctor will be.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all expectant families have a prenatal visit paediatric visit before the baby’s birth.
This relationship between the paediatrician and family will be very important in your child’s life and often lasts from infancy to early adulthood, so it’s never too early to begin the search.
The paediatric prenatal visit can be arranged during the third trimester of pregnancy and offers many benefits to the family.
- A strong relationship between parent and physician can be built during this time as a solid foundation for their expectations of each other can be set. Parents can share their personal interests, values and concerns and have the chance to see if this physician is the right fit for their specific needs. Physicians can openly discuss their accessibility, whether by phone or email, whether they offer home visits and after-hours care, whether they will attend your child’s delivery, or offer hospital coverage as needed.
- Parents can gain familiarity with how the physician’s practice operates. Some important questions you should ask are: Is it a group or an individual practice? Do they accept insurance? What are the practicing hours and fees? Do they cover emergencies, and are there any sources of information they can share?
- In turn, the physician can also gain vital information about your previous pregnancies if you’ve had any, and any critical information about your current pregnancy and health. Any important family history of illness is essential to share, as well as if you have had a history of post-partum depression. This can help your paediatrician to plan the future care of your baby.
- Your physician can also provide information about what to expect in the upcoming months. This is particularly important for first-time parents. Advice about infant sleep, breastfeeding, safety, circumcision, and so much more can be discussed at this visit.
True family value
The paediatric prenatal visit may not always be emphasised as a necessary point of care for the expectant family, but it does have tremendous value.
So don’t wait until after the fact. Seek out your paediatrician early and get a head start on your child’s care.
If you don’t know where to start, ask your obstetrician to refer you to a reputable paediatrician they know who may fit your family’s needs.
Happy hunting!!