When to visit ped for first time?

[prancie]

So my DH and I got into a discussion about when the baby will go to the doc for the first time. I am unsure of the answer, though I don't want to take him/her to the pediatrician in the few days after the birth. I don't find it a nice thought to take my newborn baby to a place where sick children are taken on a daily basis.

I plan to delay vaccination at least but I wonder how important it is for us to get the PKU test within a week of the birth.

Any thoughts?

[~Kristina~]

Per our ped, she said to make an appt for 2-4 days after birth. And told me the things to watch for in the mean while - jaundice, wet diapers, etc.

[BrooklynDoula]

My MW did an appointment after birth and did the PKU and such then. She also saw us at one week. We took him in to the ped at 2 weeks just to introduce basically.

[bhawkins]

Well, my MW is going to do the PKU at home in the first few days after the birth. I'm planning to go to the ped's office when the babe is 2-3 wks old barring any problems. I'd just rather get the paperwork and such out of the way initially rather than waiting for a sick visit. This will be the only "well-visit" i"m planning to do.

[alegna]

If we'd done the pku the midwife would have done it.

We haven't seen a dr. at all.

-Angela

[momto l&a]

When to visit ped for first time?

For us never.

Mw can do PKU

[SublimeBirthGirl]

If I'd had a midwife I wouldn't have gone to a ped at all. I had a UC, so I took her when she was a week old for the PKU. It's the only reason I went in at all, and I was on the fence about just skipping it.

[~Kristina~]

I wanted to add, our midwife does the PKU (Michigan newborn screening - which is mandatory), so I guess I really don't have to go to the peds.

[yogamama2]

I just asked our ped this 2 days ago when I took my oldest in to have her annual/fill our school forms visit. We are ttc #3 and I asked when they wanted to see the baby since we would be planning a homebirth (had #2 at a birthcenter that required a visit within 3 days). She said they wanted to see the baby in the first 24-48 hours to check to be sure there were no congenital heart issues. I don't really want to bring a newborn in that soon, so she said we could maybe work out a home visit from her (our ped office doesn't really do that - but I was her prenatal yoga teacher for her second baby . . . comes with a few perks!) I believe that my midwife is probably well trained to check for the heart issues - but will gladly let my kids' doc come check if she is willing to come to my house. She never even mentioned the PKU, which I believe my midwife will do a couple days after the baby is born on a checking in visit. What does your midwife think?

[Gumby]

DD is 9w and we still haven't been. MW has followed up a few times since birth.

[GinaRae]

Sounds like the PKU question may be answered. As far as going to the sick office, you can request the earliest appointment for just that reason. Some peds will already have an early appointment block for new patients and well-baby.

[greenthumb3]

Originally Posted by MSAX

My MW did an appointment after birth and did the PKU and such then. She also saw us at one week. We took him in to the ped at 2 weeks just to introduce basically.

: That is what we do, too.

I know all about the breastfeeding/how to tell baby is getting enough/where to get additional support if needed, so no need for a ped. there. I have experience with my newborns, as far as watching for anything that is abnormal, and I'd call my midwife anyway if there was anything that needed attention right after birth. I do take my babies in to the ped. just to have them on "medical record" around 2 weeks, although I don't do it b/c I feel it is medically necessary. I have had times when we had an emergency trip to the hospital at some point within the first 2 years of our child's life, and having seen a ped. sometime after birth made the experience easier (as compared to not having an established ped., BTDT with other kids), as the staff felt somewhat more secure about us and our doctor felt comfortable mediating for us to the hospital staff. Playin' the game, basically. (ETA: Can you imagine the hospital staff? LOL: "Homebirth, no circumcision or vaccines-- Gasp!! Oh, but they have a pediatrician, at least. Thank goodness!" Oh, brother!)

That is what works best for us. Good luck with your decision!

[Jilian]

Before DS was born I would have said it doesn't matter but my Pedi explained that is is important to see a pedi around day 3 or so because that is when the PDA in the heart begins to close and if your baby has heart problems the PDA closing can exaggerate them. Heart defects are the most common birth defect and occur in 1 out of 1,000 live births. So it's a good idea to have the pedi listen to the heart around day 3 or so and make sure everything sounds good.

[Reha]

Originally Posted by Jilian

Before DS was born I would have said it doesn't matter but my Pedi explained that is is important to see a pedi around day 3 or so because that is when the PDA in the heart begins to close and if your baby has heart problems the PDA closing can exaggerate them. Heart defects are the most common birth defect and occur in 1 out of 1,000 live births. So it's a good idea to have the pedi listen to the heart around day 3 or so and make sure everything sounds good.

I find this interesting because most women who have hospitals go home 24-48 hours after birth, and then don't see a ped for another few days at the soonest, like day 5-7.

We suggest our clients wait 2-3 weeks before taking baby in to a doc. (if at all), unless something unusual presents itself or unless the parents WANT to take the baby in. We have seen one time to many cases of peds seeing baby on day 3 and flipping out about jaundice (the normal, physiological sort) and much undue distress ensue. Of course, we don't seem to have too many breastfeeding friendly peds in the area, so that may indeed contribute to the problem. In this area, if you have a normal vaginal birth in the hospital, most peds won't even be seeing your baby on day 3-4, but for the 1-2 weeks check up.

[tamagotchi]

Our midwife does the PKU during one of her follow-up visits. However, our pediatrician will also come to our home for an initial visit to establish the new baby as a patient. Quite a few doctors in our area will make home visits for homebirthed babies. It might be worth asking around to find out if any in your area will do that.

[ralphie76]

My midwife will do a visit on day 3 to do PKU etc.

I plan on going to the ped around 3-4 months for the first visit.

[mimiharshe]

We don't unless absolutely necessary. DD went at 1 week and it was pointless and not a great experience. She went back to get a referral for something later. That's it. Ds has never been. This baby won't either. We take them to the chiro right after they are born (dd had her first adjustment at 3 hrs old and ds at 2 days old) and have them check and adjusted if needed. I'm not taking my baby in "just because", but if there was a reason DH and I thought we needed to, then I would. I've had c/s so I guess they were checked at the hospital, this one is going to be a homebirth though!!!

[rliszkowski]

My midwife gave us the name of a ped. who will make home visits for homebirthers. I think we may call her.

I took my last baby in at 8 hours, yes 8 hours because the mw recommended we have a bone checked out. My mother was there when she said this to us and made the first appointment she could. It was a total waste of time. Then I took him back for the follow-up exam and jaundice check a few days later.

I will not be dragging this baby out again so early.

[meggles]

We ended up transfering to the hospital to have dd after planning a hb, so she was checked out right after she was born and before we were discharged the following morning. Our mw saw dd several times over the next few weeks. We finally took her to her Pediatrician when she was about a month old. There's no reason to take them out to the Dr. when they are so tiny, especially when you have your mw coming and checking them out. YOU shouldn't be going out for a couple of weeks, anyway.

[HeatherB]

Our ped's office (or, old office - she's since established her own practice) said they wanted a homeborn baby in within 24 hours. It was quite the joke, as DS was born just after midnight on a Sunday on Labor Day weekend. We did take him in at 3 days, but I feel it was too early. We literally saw the midwife the same day, so it was truly not necessary! (But it was great to show off my tiny babe and his cloth dipes to all of the stunned nurses and staff! Home birthed! Cloth diapered! What a concept! )

As others have mentioned, I've asked our ped to think about coming to us for a first visit. Then we get her expertise withOUT having to go into the office. I've told her I'd rather wait to go in till about 2 weeks. My MW won't do PKUs (she doesn't like sticking babies!) so that's about all I'd be going for. My MW will come at 3 days and for sure at 6 weeks - probably more if I need anything. My pedatrician seemed encouraged that we'd have care from the MW for a while, and said she'd look at the logistics of a home visit.