For those who didn't do WBV's...

[AlpineMama]

(I'm not sure what sub forum to post this in, but I thought this one was the best fit!)

It has occurred to me that eventually we will want to take DD to a pediatrician. The time isn't quite YET, but I'm sure at some point we will end up doing so. Right now she is almost a year. She saw a pediatrician a couple of times after her birth (which was, incidentally, a UC). She was slow to gain back her birth weight, but once she did that, we were in the middle of moving anyway. We just never brought her to a doctor afterwards. We don't vax and had no health insurance and she wasn't sick and yada yada. It's not that we were just lazy either. I thought it was the right decision and I stand by it.

But... how exactly am I supposed to explain all this to a potential doctor? I'm pretty sure even a non-vaxing friendly one would look askance at the fact that she hasn't been to ANY well baby visits, and has no medical records, etc. Her brother had his last pedi visit when he was around 13 months old. He went to all of the scheduled ones before that. But at least he has SOME records. Anyway, I don't want to be paranoid but also don't want to be accused of neglect should a doctor I went to get suspicious that the kiddos have no charts.

I actually got a panicked phone call from the old pediatrician's office, saying that they hadn't had their shots, and I must bring them in IMMEDIATELY, she JUST found their charts and they were SO overdue and it was SO dangerous. I called her back and told her that we'd moved. I omitted the fact that we hadn't gone to a new doctor here yet.

[alegna]

We haven't needed a ped. yet and so I haven't gotten around to choosing one. But I have friends that have no paper trail and then have needed a dr. for something and it hasn't been a problem.

-Angela

[LiLStar]

dd is almost 2 and we did wbv (but no shots) until 4 months. We took her there once more when she was probably around 14 months to have them look at a sore on her thumb I was worried about (it was a harmless herpetic whitlow) and she didn't say a thing about not coming to regular visits. We moved when she was 16 months and are just now going to see a new ped tomorrow. They mailed us the new patient forms and nowhere on them does it ask for a previous ped's name/address or anything at all regarding requesting previous records. It only has a section that asks about any illnesses they've had. So I don't think they'll even have any way of knowing that she hasnt had any routine check ups since 4 months, unless the ped asks me herself, in person, in the exam room.

[Drummer's Wife]

can you just go with the "we just moved here" thing? That's my plan. I did have a bad experience the one time I took my (now) 3 yo to a peds office... the PA honestly could not get over the fact that my healthy (then) 16 month old had never been to a WBV. I wish I had never taken him in, but was worried he had a hernia (my 2nd baby did). It turned out to be nothing but I swear the whole visit was torture and I regret going. She couldn't believe that he had never been sick or had an ear infection (or had any shots Had I had a better provider, it may have been different, but she treated me and my son awful.

That said, there was nothing more to it, it's not like there is anything wrong with not take your kid in for frequent dr's visits if they are healthy. If and when we find a ped in my new state (and, of course need to be seen) I will say we are new to the area and go from there.

eta: and I lived in CO at the time so I can tell you where NOT to go when the time comes

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

DS has been 3-4 times for sickness since i stopped vaxing when he was 4mo. Nothing has been said at all about it at all.

I would go with the we just moved here thing.

[First Time Mama]

Good question. I have wondered the same thing. My DS, 16 months has never been to a ped or any other dr, other than in the hospital after birth and one time as a newborn (but that was because I had thrush). He has had no shots, and we have done no WBV. At first we didn't have insurance for him, and then I decided since I didn't want to do immunizations I didn't see the point. Of course I would have taken him for something serious if he had gotten sick or hurt (and still will) but he's only had a few minor colds. I have the name of a ped that was reccomended to me by friends ( she's fine with not vaxing), and we just got on Heatlhy Families instead of Medi cal, but I feel strange calling up the office and arranging an appointment, but have wondered if I should have him seen just to have him established as a patient at that practice, and so I can meet the doc.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I think making an appt. for mostly meeting the Dr. and having him on file would be the way to go. That way if something where to come up you would probably have an easier time getting him in.

Around here lots of Dr. are not accepting new patients so keep that in mind.

[vivvysue]

didnt read all the replies but i didnt take any of my kids to the dr after they were born at all, except for the initial check up at about six weeks i think it was... for three out of five not even that
when i did eventually take them to the dr it was for a reason, they were sick or needed to be checked for something... none were vaxed, all were bf and delayed solids till they expressed interest. i simply told the docs just that... the only comment i got from their doc was for him to question me abiut my non-vaxing... it seemed more for him to know that i had made an informed decision than to be critical and for my son at about two who wasnt interested in meat eating at that point. he was concerned for ds iron levels, but when he did a more thorough check on ds he changed that and took back his recomendation that i supplement vitamins or iron.
i never took any of them to a ped doc unless it was for something specific, my md s their doc as well to this day.

just be honest about what and why and perhaps prepared with your reasons for your choices and i would think you would do fine.

v

[SpiderMum]

DD has been to the ped once after she was born, 2 weight-checks, a 1-month WBV...and that's it. I was going to make an appointment for a 2-month visit...but the lady at the front desk told me I should call back later because they didn't have next months calendar up. It was the 28th! : I never did remember to call and honestly I didn't care that much about going. Why do I need to pay someone $25 to tell me how much my kid weighs and that they're perfectly okay? I don't vax, so I figured I'd save myself a battle and just not go for the WBV. Not taking your kid to the doctor for well-visits isn't neglect by any means. Honestly, I worry more about exposing her to their horrible germy waiting room than than missing the appointments.

[aihcalappa]

Originally Posted by SpiderMum

Honestly, I worry more about exposing her to their horrible germy waiting room than than missing the appointments.

:

[Alyantavid]

We used to do wbv, but haven't since my youngest was 1 (he's 2.5 now). I'm not worried about it. If he gets sick, we have a nice family doc in town that we see. I avoid ped's office like the plague.

[becoming]

Just tell them she hasn't had any vaxes or prior health problems. They shouldn't ask for the old records after that. We've been to new pediatricians on several occasions, and none have ever asked for the old records.

[AniellasMommy]

I really lucked out, our Ped followed me through my "progression" from vaxing and hospital birth to not vaxing and homebirth. He actually supported me in my decisions. since he knows my story he doesn't think twice when we only come in for illness (which has been once.) When dd was hospitalized his partner was on call and kind of gave me a weird look for not vaxing but since she wasn't really his patient I didn't worry too much. So I "have" a ped who I use when I need it and he knows the score. I would just try to remember that YOU are hiring HIM/HER, be up front and keep shopping around until I found someone who is comfortable with my families needs.

[mammal_mama]

Originally Posted by alegna

We haven't needed a ped. yet and so I haven't gotten around to choosing one. But I have friends that have no paper trail and then have needed a dr. for something and it hasn't been a problem.

-Angela

This has been our experience. Our second dd was born at home, and gained weight and everything just fine, and our midwife actually recommended that we read How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor -- and the author (Dr. Mendelsohn) doesn't recommend well baby visits.

We didn't take dd2 to a doctor 'til she fractured her elbow at 17 months of age. We got care at the ER of our local children's hospital, and follow-up in their orthopedic office (we simultaneously applied for medicaid for both girls, which covered the ER visit and subsequent care after-the-fact).

I think they did ask who dd's primary-care physician was, and we said we didn't have one yet but were applying for medicaid so we'd get one then). And, of course, whenever we see someone medical for any reason, they ask if all immunizations are up-to-date.

I just say we don't vaccinate. Sometimes they just record that and say no more, sometimes they want to know why -- and then I say we have a religious exemption. One doctor asked our religion, and I just said I know I don't have to answer that, and it's personal. And she dropped it.

Now that our younger dd is needing some speech therapy for articulation problems, and possibly occupational therapy for sensory issues, as well as dental care, I plan to go ahead and get the girls their yearly checkups so we can keep their medicaid coverage. But I honestly wouldn't worry about keeping the coverage if it weren't for some needs our youngest is having.

From my experience, not seeing a doctor for the first year-and-a-half (as my younger dd hasn't) causes absolutely no problem. And a long gap of time without seeing a doctor (my oldest saw no doctor between age 2 and age 6) causes absolutely no problem, either. Whenever you do need a doctor, just see one.

I agree with what Dr. Mendelsohn and people here have said about ER doctors being the absolute best. Unless you actually need a specialist for something, of course.

Oh, and I've been asked a couple of times if dd2 had a normal delivery. I just said yes, and no one even questioned me about where she was born.

By the way, I think Dr. Mendelsohn actually recommends taking children to general practitioners instead of pediatricians. That's what we've been doing, though of course our dd2's specialists are in the children's hospital and do specialize with children ... I'm actually considering making the children's hospital our primary care physician, though, they seem more cool about the vax issue.

[Malva]

I didn't do wbv and no one ever bothered me about it.

We went once to meet the dr (long waiting lists to have one here so just wanted to know that should we need it, we have one we can go and see) when ds was 2.5 and dd 7. The gp, and we all share the same gp, I believe peds should be mostly for kids with illnesses that require regular monitoring, had no problem with the fact that I didn't do wbvs and annual checkups for the kids. She asked about vax's but like a pp said, it was more to check if I was making an informed decision, not judging me on my choice.

A simple: "We don't believe in wbvs but will not hesitate to bring the kids in should we think there is a problem" should be sufficient if questioned. About vaccines: "I have researched the issue and choose not to vaccinate my kids." That should be the end of the conversation.

[mammal_mama]

Originally Posted by Malva

I believe peds should be mostly for kids with illnesses that require regular monitoring

That's my opinion, too. Seeing a ped is kind of like seeing an obstetrician for pregnancy -- they're exposed more to dysfunction than they are to the vast majority of children/pregnancies, which are normal and don't need any special interventions.

[mammal_mama]

Also, Dr. Mendelsohn thinks there's a surplus of peds, and WBV were instituted as a way for them to stay in the black financially

[lilyka]

I wouldn't worry about it for a second. Not even Dr.s are that kleen on well baby checks. If they comment on no records just tell them you haven't been in since you moved to town. My kids have seen several different Dr.s and none of those Dr.s have been concerned about forwarding their records or getting their old records. especially since we don't vaccinate and have no problems. it is however nice to know your ped when you are in an emergancy situation. My kids love their Dr. and trust him. He can poke them with a needle and they don't flinch. I can't imagine the same results from a stranger.

[Tizzy]

DS1 went to one WBV then we never went back. After we moved, I signed us all up with a nurse practicioner, she seems really nice and focuses on preventative medicine. But DS1 has never been to see her. Just no need.

I explained our stance on vax and she said she wouldn't mind seeing him now and then, even if we don't vax. I took DS2 in once because he never got his hearing checked with the midwife. She checked him over then told me they don't do hearing checks there lol! What a waste of time! She did however advise me that "I've heard penaten works good on diaper rash" lol! She meant well.

Before I left she asked if I was going to book another appt. and I said probably not. She agreed and said that's okay, just bring him back whenever you like.

So sometimes they just surprise you. I fully expected to be lectured on the vax and no WBV issue but she was perfectly okay with it. It really makes me feel much more comfortable if I do NEED to take one of the kids in.

[LavenderMae]

My kids' doctor (he's not a ped though) said this after I told him we don't vax "I guess I won't be seeing you much then" with a smile. And yep he's right.