As our due date gets closer and closer, Simeon and I are finally having to take care of some final details we have been putting off completing. The nursery is all put together. We bought and installed our car seat. We even started making a list of people to call once the baby is born (one list is people to call as soon as she arrives; the other is people to call once it is a decent hour). So now we are just down to finding a pediatrician and packing our hospital bag.
I have a couple pediatricians picked out (narrowed down nicely by those covered by our insurance company and then by proximity) and even have an interview set up with one doctor for Friday afternoon. I have been putting together a list of interview questions, such as hours, procedures, policy, etc. So I am feeling pretty confident on finishing this one.
As for the hospital bag, I have mentally started packing, but for some reason I just can’t bring myself to actually pack my bag. I guess it will just make it all seem really real and that is just scary. I know I need to pack my robe, slippers, personal toiletries, our cameras (both video and digital) and going home outfits for myself as well as the baby. But I feel like there are probably more things I am just not thinking about.
So here is where you all come in: I want to know (yes, this is me ASKING for advice again) what you all think.
- Do you have any questions we should ask a potential pediatrician to help us determine if they are they right doctor for us?
- What was something you brought to the hospital that you found really useful?
- Is there anything else I am forgetting to do???
What a great mom you have!
The only suggestions I have are these.
1. learn to work the car seat before you go to the hospital. In Los Angeles their insurance won’t let them help you with the baby seat at all and everything felt very scary.
2. Don’t take advice from strangers… they’ll offer it to you and trust me, you don’t want it. The second you hold that baby you’ll know what to do as will your husband, listen to your maternal instincts and if your baby cries soothe him. You really can’t screw up the first year if all you do is love your baby.
FYI both of mine were born at 42+ weeks…
I fully agree with Chelle and Connie.
1)Ask if He or She sees your baby at 4 days old or their first visit at 2weeks? Choose the one that sees Ana at 4 days old, it’s important, a lot can happen in 2 weeks time.
2)It’s important that your Pediatrician has a well child waiting room and a sick side (two waiting rooms) to avoid unnecessary exposure to fevers,colds, flu, etc. Ask what they do when they have a child coming in to diagnose chicken pox, measles and unknown rashes? Those little ones should not be waiting with others and exposing them to Lord knows what! Children and adults cough and rarely cover up and you need to limit the exposure. That’s why the well child side is a plus!!
3) You need to hear referrals from other parents who have been seeing this Pediatrician. I hear lots of positive and negative comments and it’s your children that will be seeing this MD until they turn 18 years old. Choose someone you feel comfortable with and shares your values in childrearing and well child care.
4) Find out how this MD feels regarding breastfeeding. Breast fed babies are generally healthier and have less ear infections and respiratory infections, so choose one that is supportive in your your feeding decisions.
5) Whoever mentioned about finding out about your Pediatricians nurse is so very right. Check with the staff to see how many nurses he or she has had, that will tell you something about the MD’s temperment as well.
As far as the hospital stay: Pack the essential items needed for two or three nights stay. Limit going home clothing to the loose comfy ones. A comfortable pillow is a must, and a favorite robe or top to cover up while in bed, but easy to nurse in, is very helpful.
6) Limit the amount of people coming to the hospital. That’s a time for you to really rest ( it’s such a short stay). This is your and Simeon’s time to bond with Ana. Most importantly you and Ana need practice latching on and getting nursing off to a good start, and it’s hard when lots of people are coming and going throughout the day and evenings.
I’ve taken my vacation time starting 12/18/06 but informed my supervisor that it will start as soon as I get your call to join you at the hospital. You can call me twentyfour seven. But please don’t get the idea you can deliver with the full moon, that’s too early 🙂 I haven’t packed my bag with a weeks worth of clothing yet.
You and Sim will have a complete vacation from any cooking, cleaning, laundry and grocery shopping. This will be a time for the three of you to enjoy every second together. I’ll rock and watch Ana so you can get lots of naps, it takes a lot to recover from childbirth.
I’m looking forward to our family babyshower on Sunday. Love, Mom
I fully agree with Chelle and Connie.
1)Ask if He or She sees your baby at 4 days old or their first visit at 2weeks? Choose the one that sees Ana at 4 days old, it’s important, a lot can happen in 2 weeks time.
2)It’s important that your Pediatrician has a well child waiting room and a sick side (two waiting rooms) to avoid unnecessary exposure to fevers,colds, flu, etc. Ask what they do when they have a child coming in to diagnose chicken pox, measles and unknown rashes? Those little ones should not be waiting with others and exposing them to Lord knows what! Children and adults cough and rarely cover up and you need to limit the exposure. That’s why the well child side is a plus!!
3) You need to hear referrals from other parents who have been seeing this Pediatrician. I hear lots of positive and negative comments and it’s your children that will be seeing this MD until they turn 18 years old. Choose someone you feel comfortable with and shares your values in childrearing and well child care.
4) Find out how this MD feels regarding breastfeeding. Breast fed babies are generally healthier and have less ear infections and respiratory infections, so choose one that is supportive in your your feeding decisions.
5) Whoever mentioned about finding out about your Pediatricians nurse is so very right. Check with the staff to see how many nurses he or she has had, that will tell you something about the MD’s temperment as well.
As far as the hospital stay: Pack the essential items needed for two or three nights stay. Limit going home clothing to the loose comfy ones. A comfortable pillow is a must, and a favorite robe or top to cover up while in bed, but easy to nurse in, is very helpful.
6) Limit the amount of people coming to the hospital. That’s a time for you to really rest ( it’s such a short stay). This is your and Simeon’s time to bond with Ana. Most importantly you and Ana need practice latching on and getting nursing off to a good start, and it’s hard when lots of people are coming and going throughout the day and evenings.
I’ve taken my vacation time starting 12/18/06 but informed my supervisor that it will start as soon as I get your call to join you at the hospital. You can call me twentyfour seven. But please don’t get the idea you can deliver with the full moon, that’s too early 🙂 I haven’t packed my bag with a weeks worth of clothing yet.
You and Sim will have a complete vacation from any cooking, cleaning, laundry and grocery shopping. This will be a time for the three of you to enjoy every second together. I’ll rock and watch Ana so you can get lots of naps, it takes a lot to recover from childbirth.
I’m looking forward to our family babyshower on Sunday. Love, Mom
Okay so as we know I don’t have a baby but I did roll to the hospital last week for some fun emergency surgery (no chance to go home and grab stuff) and my recommendation is BRING STRETCHY PANTS to wear home…I had to leave the hospital in jeans and high heels, so not ideal, trust me you will want to be as comfortable as possible also ask for extra mesh underwear it truly is the best. Okay enough assvice from me and by the by you look totally adorable!
Important advice that I received – Make sure your pediatrician’s office has a separate waiting area for sick children. You won’t want your little newborn to be exposed to a room full of runny-nosed darlings during her first week visit.
Hey there! Here is what Eric and I look for:
1. We prefer younger doctors over older, they tend to be more current.
2. We look to see if they have children. They will relate to you (the parents) much better.
3. Find out if they did a fellowship and in what, extra training never hurts anyone.
4. Recommendations, recommendations, recommendations. They go a long way!
BTW, Kate had a baby girl yesterday evening. Morgan was 6lbs, 2oz. I will email you a picture as soon as one is mailed to me. Good luck!
Don’t pack your bag until you’re in early labor. That way you’ll have something to do until it’s time to head out (hee hee). You don’t need much, you’ll have so many flowers and baby gifts that you won’t want to carry anything else.
If you simlpy cannot leave the packing until you start having contractions, leave yourself some other quiet but active task to do during early labor. Maybe tinseling your christmas tree or frosting cookies. Pick a task that keeps you walking around, requires minimal concentration and can be paused for contractions.
Your doctor may want to monitor you due to the diabetes, but if not I’d reccommend staying home as long as you can. By all means don’t start timing your contractions until you think they’re pretty close together- it’s way too easy to get ancy thinking only about numbers instead of letting your body do what it needs to do.
More unsolicted advice from nature-mother. Sorry! Take care of yourself!
Okay…I have to disagree about the pedi interviewing and I will tell you why…
For your child to get the best care, you have to feel comfortable enough to discuss anything with the physician. You can tell a lot about a person by talking with them face to face and seeing their reactions to questions you ask or concerns you have. You never want to feel rushed, like the pedi can’t make enough time for you. You never want to feel like your questions are stupid. When you have concerns, you don’t want to feel like you are getting the brush-off. All these things can be seen in an interview, especially because it’s not a regular appt and the dr has to make non-paying time to see you.
It’s true you can get all the technical questions answered over the phone, like;
* What are the office hours?
* Are there any walk-in hours when appointments are not necessary?
* In which hospitals does the doctor have practicing privileges?
* How can I reach the doctor after hours or during an emergency?
* Who covers for the practice when the doctor is absent? (You may never get to meet these back-up physicians, but it is wise to check up on their credentials anyway.)
* How does the office handle billing and what are my responsibilities?
* Is payment immediately due at the time of the visit?
* Will the pediatrician accept my insurance and process my claims?
* How are insurance claims handled?
* Are there any testing or diagnostic facilities on site? If not, who does the office usually refer to?
(Yes, I copied these questions…lol)
But…what about answers you can’t get over the phone?
*What is your philosophy about child rearing?
*Do many of the mothers that see you breastfeed their babies successfully?
*Do you think children should be fed on a schedule?
*Sleep in the same bed with their parents?
*Wean at a particular time?
*What is your usual recommendation for babies who cry when they’re put to sleep at night?
*What is your philosophy about antibiotics or other medication for children who have colds or other ailments?
*What is your opinion about infant vaccinations or circumcision?
Believe it or not, you will be asking your pedi for all kinds of advice when it comes to child rearing and it’s really important to see that your pedi’s beliefs align with your own. This person is not only going to be your baby’s dr, but also the professional that you consult with on a whole range of topics. Friends and family are great resources, but they arent (usually) professionals.
Okay&off my soapbox now&lol.
Oh yeah, ST. V’s has GREAT milkshakes. I wasn’t allowed to eat all day and finally delivered at 10:55pm so I was STARVING! They had a turkey sandwhich, friut and a chocolate shake waiting for me – it was perfect!
Of course this is all new to me as well, but my sister-in-law’s advice to me was not to wear anything in the hospital that I intended to keep looking nice. So leave the pretty nursing PJ sets at home, otherwise they’ll end up all yucky and stained.
She also said that during labor she had far too little concentration for a book, but magazines were great because you can keep half an eye on them and if you get interrupted when you’re reading it’s not hard to pick it back up again.
Bring COMFY CLOTHES TO GO HOME IN!!! I brough early maternity clothes and those didn’t even fit! I ended up wearing the same outfit OUT of the hospital that I wore in. CRAZY!
I really didn’t use anything I bought in. Not even my boppy. Brandon was so tiny I just didnt’ need it. I just wore a hospital gown also. Oh, chapstick was helpful. The BREATHING chaps your lips. That’s about it!
We can’t wait to get our call!!!!!!!
Yes, I’ll echo the pediatrician advice. I interviewed two prospectives before Lindsay was born, and that was all fine and dandy. They pretty much answered everything the same way with perhaps a few exceptions, such as whether or not they circumcise and things like that, which you don’t have to worry about this time around! 😉 We ended up going with the pedi who took care of her in the hospital as well, just like Erin. It’s just nice because you can actually see them interact with your child, rather than just go and ask them a bunch of questions. They all pretty much follow the same policies and procedures, so the whole prenatal interviewing thing is pretty useless to tell you the truth (speaking from personal experience of course). What you really need is to see them interact with your kid. and almost more important is whether or not they have a good nurse! She/He’s the one you’re going to see more of, so sometimes it’s worth trying out a couple doctors after the baby is born, just so you can meet their nurse! After all, she’s the one you see for more than half of every appointment! She takes all the measurements and gives them their shots and all that. The doctor pretty much just comes in so the parents feel like they’re getting their money’s worth! 😉
I’d just call them like Erin said if you really feel the need to "plan ahead".
On the hospital bag topic, I also agree with Erin, bring your own pillow, and the boppy or whatever you’ll be using for breastfeeding so you can get used to it right away. Bring a cd player and some of your favorite music if you want. I know I wouldn’t have had any interest in reading a book while going through labor because I was in pain and thinking about so many other things, but music I could handle. 😉 Bring a hair tie for your hair, or braid it back or something to get it off your face, you’re gonna get hot! 😉 And yes, the going home outfit should be comfy and roomy, no need to try to impress anyone, so just wear some sweats or yoga pants or something.
Ok, just a little tip for while in labor. The thing I found most soothing and wanted people to do for me was to wet a washcloth with cold water and just lay it across my forhead, or gently just wipe my face and neck. Sounds weird, but it was so soothing and kept me cool and comfortable.
Anyway, I hope your cold has eased off on you a bit so you can enjoy these last days/weeks of your pregnancy! Let me know if I can help with anything. Oh, make and freeze some easy homemade meals if you feel up to it. It’s so nice that first month to be able to just pull something out of the freezer and pop it in the oven for dinner! Love you! Can’t wait to meet Ana!
You’re doing well with the planning! You still have plenty of time, so try to just relax. We didn’t interview any pedis, we ended up going with the pedi who delivered my daughter. You can probably get most of your questions answered by a nurse over the phone – hours, policy, etc. They’re all pretty much the same, so we just went with whomever was closest.
Also, don’t overdo it with bringing a lot of crap to the hospital, because you’ll just have to cart it all home. One thing I’d recommend bringing is your own pillow from home. I didn’t, and I wish that I had. If you’re breastfeeding (I didn’t), I’d say bring the boppy or whatever pillow you’re planning to use for that. Bring snacks for after delivery – and something to read while you’re in labor. Other than that, basic toiletries, comfy yoga pants and t-shirts, and that’s about it. Oh – and your own going home outfit should be plenty roomy. You’ll still look 7-8 months pregnant.
Good luck! And go get a pedicure!