Here I am, eight months preggers and cramming about all the new-baby logistics that I’m supposed to be doing. The thought of just getting the baby out makes me cringe, but the idea of choosing a pediatrician for my precious little angel is even more daunting… and I’m MARRIED to a pediatric surgeon! Nevertheless, I’m shopping around like all other soon-to-be moms.
Besides looking for a baby-doc that you click with on a personality level, here are three out-of-the-box questions to ask (in addition to the usual questions about vaccinations, antibiotic philosophy, etc) when meeting potential pediatricians. These are thoughts that my brilliant doctor-hubby came up with, and they just might give you added insight:
DO YOU HAVE KIDS OF YOUR OWN?
An obvious one, but you might forget to ask it. Having a doc with kids of his/her own doesn’t necessarily make them more qualified, but it might make you feel better if you’re a neurotic baby-rookie like me. True, a doctor without kids will most likely know more about babies that the average first-time parent, but that doesn’t automatically make them “baby-wise” on an emotional level. Those who are PARENTS have experienced what you soon will (as a fellow parent, not a doctor) and have been anointed with what I call “The Magical, Parental-Intuition.” See if your potential pediatrician has got it.
HAVE YOU EVER DONE MEDICAL MISSION WORK?
This might give you some perspective about their genuine commitment to serving those in need, or whether they are jaded and primarily concerned about making a good buck. Medical missions are done on a volunteer basis… no one is paid. Not every doctor has the desire or capability to travel to remote locations and work in dire circumstances, but some make the extra effort because they have the innate spirit to serve those who really need them. To me, this is the type of doc who will treat my baby with the care that I am seeking… even if he/she doesn’t have kids of his/her own. (Also ask when/how often they do missions… one mission in Brazil twenty-five years ago that doubled as a mardi-gras extravaganza with fellow residents doesn’t count!)
DO YOU TEACH AT AN ACADEMIC INSTITUTION OR CLINIC?
If so, chances are that this doc has seen some wild, wacky or unconventional medical conditions that you and your baby will most likely not ever have to deal with. The more the doctor has seen, the better equipped he/she is should you (God-forbid) be faced with something serious in the future. Call me old-fashioned, but those who take an active participation in the academic arena or their community have one-up above those who don’t.
Just some baby-food for thought from me (and my hubby).
