First Ped Appointment

[veganjoy]

Our first pediatrician appointment will be this Thursday. I didn't interview anyone before the birth, because finding someone cool with AP, non-vaxing, etc. in our insurance plan seemed like such a daunting task! I don't know anything about the doc, and figured I'll just switch later if s/he's awful.

To us, the appointment is only for a PKU (which our MW doesn't do) and general newborn checkup. Will they expect to vax her? Are there any other interventions that happen routinely at the first check-up?

I'm getting a bit nervous, and would be grateful for any details on what to expect!

[Lizzie9984]

I haven't so much as thought about finding a ped yet, I figured we'd find a random one for the first check-up (whenever that typically is) and go from there, i.e change if we don't like them and so forth......So whatever advice and such anyone has for you, I'm a little interested in it myself!

[maisiedotes]

We are lucky enough to have a MDC mama as our pediatrician... but I have SO many questions for her and so much research to do before we decide about vaccinations and stuff.

I am no help, am I!

[sorteep]

i think they would trybto give hep b at 1st appt// be prepared,,,,

[scheelimama]

They'll probably want to give the Hep. B shot. We waited until 2 months to start that with our other girls, but Piper won't have any shots until she's at least a year. And they'll weigh and measure her and make sure she's gained the appropriate amount since birth (or not lost too much). They'll probably check for jaundice as well.

I have yet to take Piper in for a check-up. Being my 3rd baby, I have no need to take her in. I know that she's healthy and I don't need them to weigh her and tell me she's fine. But I went in for all those check-ups with my first.

[applejuice]

If you are in Los Angeles, why not pay out of pocket for Dr. Gordon or Dr. Fleiss? I did, for all four of my children. It was well worth it.

[veganjoy]

Thanks--I'll ready myself to refuse the Hep B.

Applejuice, I just might do that. Both Drs. are nearby, and it would be lovely to avoid arguments at every appointment, especially as a new mom...

[JamesMama]

I go to the first few check ups just because I'm nosey and like to know how much she weighs. We had her 1st at 2 weeks. No vaccines or anything, just weighed, checked her reflexes, eyes, nose, ears, heart, etc and told me to come back in 3 months (well 2.5) since we don't vax.

[Curlita]

We chose to delay the Hep B until a ped. appt. However, since no other vaccinations were due at that first appointment, the ped. said we should wait until the next appointment and do them at once. So, there might not be an issue about the Hep B first time around.

Our state also requires a second newborn screening for genetic diseases (a repeat of what we had in the hospital) so there was a heel stick, too. Everything else was standard weigh, measure, listen to lungs, etc.

[GinaRae]

Our first appointment is Thursday too. I had mentioned to her before about the homebirth, no circ and the vaccines and she was cool about it and said we will talk about it when he's born. So I expect her to remain cool but assertive and I will have to do some talking.

I will be declining the Hep B and giving the Ped a 2-6 month time-frame to make up my mind about vaccine delays. I may be asking for the hearing test and believe we have to go to the hospital for that.

The PKU was done by the MW and I'm glad for that. We wanted that.

Good luck! Stay firm.