So how do you go about finding the right doctor for your baby if you don't have a family doctor you're comfortable with? Here are some tips that might help.
- Write down the three things that are most important to you. For example, maybe breastfeeding is a high priority, or maybe you want to delay vaccinations. Maybe you want a doctor who doesn't charge for after-hours phone calls. Or perhaps Saturday office hours are very important to you. Think through what you want and prioritize your list.
- Talk to your friends, to nurses you know, to mothers at work or church about the doctors they use. Ask what they do like and don't like about the doctor. Make a list of 2 - 4 doctors that you would like to interview. Recently on our Facebook page, several mothers talked about doctors they like in Huntsville, Athens and Decatur.
- Call each doctor on your list to make an appointment. Some doctors are less open than others to this, but it's the only way you can decide if you and the doctor you choose will see eye to eye on your non-negotiables.
- Create a few questions to ask your doctor based on your priorities from #1. For example, if breastfeeding is a high priority, ask what percentage of his 3 month old patients are exclusively breastfed. As you interview each doctor, take note of how you interact with his or her personality. Would you be comfortable seeing the person on a regular basis?
- Choose your doctor based on your research. But remember, YOU are the expert on your baby. You know your baby better than anybody else. God gave you the awesome responsibility of caring for this new life, but He also equipped you with very strong maternal instincts. Trust them!
If you have a doctor you absolutely love, leave a comment here so other moms will know what makes him or her so amazing! (No negative comments, please)
When it comes to interviewing doctors, mothers should not hold back with their questions. These questions can range from practical ones such as appointments, sick-child waiting rooms, hospital charges to assurance types like the doctor’s philosophy about child-rearing. Also, mothers should choose someone they are comfortable with.
ReplyDeleteChalice Lindgren
I like that you talked about finding what you specifically want in a doctor, like after hour phone calls. I have been looking for a doctor because I'm having a baby soon. I can see how it would be good to find someone I can talk to after hours, because I often don't even get off of work until 7:00. http://www.kinstonmd.com/family-practice/
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