When preparing for parenthood, parents often find their minds a flurry with what may seem like endless “to do” lists and the excitement of shopping for cribs, strollers and car seats.
While it is easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of excitement that often comes with the adoption of a new baby, one very important aspect that waiting families should be prepared for is who you will trust with the medical needs of your new bundle of joy.
Just as pregnant couples begin their search for a pediatrician months before their baby is born, so too should waiting families. To begin, first ask your friends and neighbors that have children who they use for a pediatrician. Many insurance providers also provide a searchable list of pediatricians in their network via the Internet.
Once you have compiled a list of pediatricians and have checked with your insurance provider to ensure that they accept your form of insurance, begin to contact them and ask if they are accepting new patients. If they are, ask if you and your spouse can come in an interview the pediatrician face to face. Some pediatricians may charge for this time, while others do not. Be sure to inquire on the phone if there will be a charge for this time so that you are not surprised by a bill later.
Before meeting the pediatrician directly, prepare a list of questions to ask them. Those questions may include:
- What is the doctor’s pediatric background?
- Do they have a subspecialty or area of pediatric interest? If so, what is it?
- What are the office hours? Do they offer urgent care hours?
- Is it a solo practice or a group practice? If it solo, who will cover when the doctor is unavailable? If it is a group practice, how often will your child see other doctors in the group? Also ask about the backgrounds of any other doctors in the practice.
- How can you reach the doctor after hours or during an emergency?
- What hospitals does the doctor have privileges at?
- If you have a minor question, what is the best time to call? If the doctor is not available, who will handle your questions?
- Does the doctor respond to questions via e-mail?
Also be sure to speak to the doctor about your adoption. Ask them if they have any experience in treating adopted children. Ask them what kinds of information they may want to know about the birth parent’s medical or social history so that you can provide that to them when the child is born. Due to the nature of adoption, your pediatrician will most likely not be the pediatrician who will initially see your child following the birth, as the birth will probably occur in another state or town. Ask the doctor when they would like to see the baby when you return home (i.e., immediately, when the child is 2 weeks old, etc.) and what information they may need about the birth.
You should also speak to the pediatrician about any other topics or views you have about the care of your child, such as any questions or concerns you may have about childhood immunizations, circumcision or discipline techniques. Finding a pediatrician that shares or supports your views will be key in establishing a strong parent/doctor relationship for your child.