[staceychev]

I've noticed several Astoria moms on the board. I'm a first-timer expecting my little one in the next few weeks. (She's due July 7th) Do any of you have pediatricians in the area that you recommend? We just got a car, so transportation isn't a major big deal (unlike the last six years we lived car-free!), but we are on the LIC side (near Steinway and 46th Street on the R train).

I got a recommendation for Dr. Bloom at Metro Pediatrics, and we did meet with him and liked him. However, I feel like we should interview a couple of others before we make our decision.

Thanks,
Stacey

 

[MindfulBirth]

Hi, Stacey..Welcome and congratulations! Any chance your little one will show up a few days early? My birthday is July 4 and I think it is the best birthday ever.

I have heard a couple moms in real life mention that Dr. Bloom pushes solids at 4 months, discourages co-sleeping and is highly pro-vax, but is otherwise a very "nice" doctor. So go with what is important to you.

I am taking my girls to their first well baby visit since having moved back to NYC at the end of this month. We are going to go see Dr. Pamela Hops at the Center for Health and Healing in Manhattan. I can let you know how that goes.

Meanwhile, the owner of a new healthy food store near me suggested another ped but I forgot the name...I'll go by and ask her again today.

When my oldest DD was born we lived on Roosevelt Island and saw Dr. Katherine Grimm there. Wonderful doc...very supportive of all my choices...except the non-vax (she wasn't mean about it by any means). I wasn't very strong about my position on the issue at that time and was easily pushed into vaxing my DD for the first year of her life. Again...I don't know what your stance is on that issue and if that would be a factor for you.

Have a great last month of pregnancy and a Happy Birthing Day!

-tina (30th Ave/12th St)

 

[sweetpeasmama]

I haven't heard of the doctor you mentioned but I have been going to the Continuum Center for Health and Healing since my two year old was born. Originally we had Dr. Vigna but since she moved we have been seeing Dr. Hops as well. I would set up an interview with her.

There is a wonderful doctor I interviewed on the upper east side, but she practices at a HIP based clinic. Her name is Rigmor Spang and she is affiliated with Lenox Hill. She is also a Lactation Consultant and was very open minded when I told her my reasons for not vaccinating. I didn't like the clinic setting very much- particularly after being at CCHH (which was designed with feng shui in mind!), but she was just so wonderful, I may just switch to her.

As for Astoria doctors, I have only heard nightmare stories of encouraging mothers to wean their babies before a year and have babies cry it out. Never mind not vaccinating, the family bed, or even breastfeeding past a year. If anyone else hears of a great Astoria doctor- I would love to hear about her/him! Hope this helps!

 

[Hipmama28]

Hello Everybody!
I think it really depends on what you are looking for in a pediatrician.
I am child health care plus and I really hated all the docs in Astoria for that.
Keep in mind I am co-sleeping, non- vax, extended breastfeeding single mama.
I heard Dr Hobs is great but I am seeing Dr Schiller at Sidney Hilman. He is supporting my non vax decisision what is really important to me. Sometimes hard to get an appointment with but I am overall satisfied and he also does homeopathy.

I heard he is not accepting patiens right now but you always could try.
Unfortunately I cannot give you an advice about any Astoria Pedi because the ones I met really sucked!

 

[staceychev]

Money is somewhat tight for us, especially since I won't be working (at least for a while). Can someone with experience tell me about fees at CCHH? I read on their website that they don't take insurance (we have GHI). Just curious...

By the way, I'm still really confused/torn about the vax issue. I'm a very moderate person from my own perspective (although crunchy compared to many others I know!) ... I keep thinking that I'd like to do delayed & selective, but every time I read something written by someone who has very strong opinions, I find myself nodding and being somewhat persuaded. The ladies on this board sway me towards non-vax, but I get pulled in the other direction as well. Maybe someone "highly pro-vax" isn't the best doc for me and my baby.

Sigh. This is all very overwhelming.

 

[MindfulBirth]

Stacey

Check your insurance carrier's website and see if any of the docs at CCHH are listed. I saw that on their website, too, about not taking insurance, but when I went to my HMO's Website I found that Dr. Pamela Hops DOES take my insurance.

The vax issue is a tough one. We have all grown up KNOWING how wonderful and important vaxes are and it is hard to learn otherwise. You might want to hang out on the vax forum here at MDC if you aren't already.

-tina