Choosing a Pediatrician
Your pediatrician will be a very important part of your child's life, so put a lot of time and effort into your choice. Interview several pediatricians before selecting one. Whatever you do, don't just choose one from the phone book. You want to know and understand the pediatrician's philosophy. Does he value your opinions and concerns or see himself as the ultimate authority on child rearing? You want someone who has your child's best interests at heart. Finding the right person might take time, but it will save you unnecessary stress in the long run.
To gather a collection of pediatricians to interview, ask close friends who have children which doctors they visit. You shouldn't choose a pediatrician simply because your friend did, but a list of doctors recommended by trusted friends is a far better starting point than the yellow pages.
While the person's philosophy and demeanor are very important, you also need to be practical. The doctor's office should be close to your home or job, accept your insurance, and have office hours compatible with your schedule. It doesn't matter how fantastic the pediatrician is if you can't get to his office. You should also find out if there is a way to reach the pediatrician outside of his office hours in the event of a serious problem.
Chances are you won't find the “perfect” pediatrician, but this doesn't mean you shouldn't try. Don't lower your standards because you're tired of looking. The time and effort you put in now will be worth it in the end. When your first contraction hits, you'll be able to relax knowing you've made the right decision.
