? Re: hospital tours and pediatrician interviews

Umm.. do we like HAVE to do these?

Ill be 30 weeks tomorrow and didnt realize there was even such a thing until I read so on these boards.

Re: ? Re: hospital tours and pediatrician interviews

You don't have to do a hospital tour but I would recomend finding a pediatrician that you like so that you don't have to scramble looking for one when you have the baby.

Also, some pediatric groups aren't always taking on new patients and a lot like to see the baby for their first visit in teh hospital when they are born.

Re: ? Re: hospital tours and pediatrician interviews

Re: ? Re: hospital tours and pediatrician interviews

I didn't do pediatrician interviews. We used DHs childhood pediatrician who he already knew and liked. We've recently changed insurance & now DD & this baby will be seeing my childhood pediatrician who my parents also use for my younger brothers. If you don't know a pediatrician that you are already comfortable with, it's probably a good idea to do interviews unless you're comfortable working from an referral from a friend or family member.

Re: ? Re: hospital tours and pediatrician interviews

So do you have to call and let them know you are going to use them? Like register with them?

Re: ? Re: hospital tours and pediatrician interviews

I didnt do a hospital tour, but you can just call maternity and ask them when you can come down for one...

Never did a peditrician interview. THe practice was recommended by a co-worker, and they were affiliated with my hospital, so I met 3 Drs when DS was born, chose one (who is the ped for my co workers SIL) and I love her.

I figured if I didnt liek the ped I would just change but I didnt have the time to do lots of interviews...

Re: ? Re: hospital tours and pediatrician interviews

Re: ? Re: hospital tours and pediatrician interviews

It was important to me to do both but def not necessary but you will need a ped as soon as the baby is born. The tour was part of our birthing class. Dh and I interviewed a bunch of peds to find one we were the most comfortable with. They didn't need for us to make a decision right then and there - each office told us to call them if we chose them once the baby is born to set up the first appt. We live kinda far from the hospital so none of the peds are affiliated, but we chose an attending ped as well.

Message edited 11/4/2008 1:53:42 AM.

Re: ? Re: hospital tours and pediatrician interviews

we did the hospital tour, i was so happy we did , it just got me so excited for the big day! we had scheduled a consul w/ a PED but DS came early, and he was 2 days before our appt. I wound up switching PEDS anyway, I wish I had met w / them.

Re: ? Re: hospital tours and pediatrician interviews

you dont have to do anything, if you are comfortable with not taking the classes or tours, then you are totally fine.
Im doing the hospital tour in Jan(around 33-35 weeks), i want my DD to come with us so she can see where i will be, and i like to know my surroundings before i get there. Its just preferance.

Re: ? Re: hospital tours and pediatrician interviews

I never did and it worked out fine. I recieved great recomendations for my pediatrician and contacted them via telephone with a series of questions. That was enough for me!

Re: ? Re: hospital tours and pediatrician interviews

I liked the first pediatrician group we interviewed so I am planning to go with them. They also come to the hospital to see the baby after he's born. I've spoken to a few people who said the hospital tour is probably more useful than lamaze and childbirth education classes!

For those of you giving birth at LIJ, I am pretty sure they do tours every Monday and possibly Wed. night at 7PM. I have to call again to confirm though.