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CHOOSING YOUR BABY'S DOCTOR

Choosing your child's doctor can be fun and exciting. It can also create some concerns, for you want to be sure your choice is a good one. Friends and relatives may offer suggestions. You may know a physician nearby, or look to your obstetrician or midwife as an excellent resource. He or she not only knows you and your family but works with physicians, especially those on staff at UIHC.

Plan to visit the physician you select for your child's care during your pregnancy. This is especially important if this is your first child or if you are new to the physician's practice. Pediatric prenatal visits are available at UIHC's Child Health Clinic to interested parents and may be scheduled during the third trimester of your pregnancy. Topics discussed with the infant's doctor include:

Care of the infant immediately after birth, in hospital and after discharge

Infant feeding choices

Circumcision

Car seats

Family history review

The pediatric prenatal visit may be scheduled by calling the Pediatric Child Health Clinic at (319) 356-2229. There is no charge for this important visit.

You may want to interview a number of physicians before making your selection. Your choice should make you feel comfortable about your children visiting the doctor and assure you that communication will be open. The first visit should be the beginning of a long-term, supportive relationship.
Before your visit, decide what questions you want to ask. The following may serve as guidelines for the interview.

What is the doctor's training, competency, communication skills, approach to child rearing and routine for well-child care? Does the doctor have any specific "parenting philosophy" for moms and dads?
What is the doctor's primary hospital affiliation? If you do choose a pediatrician who does not care for newborns at UIHC, a pediatrician from the Department of Pediatrics will be responsible for your infant's care after delivery. Your child will receive a complete physical exam after birth and again before discharge. The cost of your infant's stay includes daily care, physical exams, and treatment of special problems. The Hospital Business Office can provide more information on the charges (319) 356-2211.
How many partners, if any, does the doctor have? Are there other health care providers on staff, such as residents, pediatric nurse practitioners or child health associates? How are patients assigned?
What are the office hours, and are there extended hours for working parents? What is the policy and coverage for after-hours care and telephone calls?
What hospital emergency department do they recommend?
If there are older siblings, will the physician care for them as well?
If there are older siblings, will the physician care for them as well?

You may also want to ask other waiting parents what they like and dislike about the practice.

The UIHC has three levels of care for the needs of your baby. There is the newborn care that responds to the needs of most of the babies born at UIHC. There is also a Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery and an Intermediate Intensive Care Nursery. If your baby has been in the Neonatal Intensive Care or Intermediate Care Nursery, they will be cared by Neonatologists (doctors who specialize in newborns. After you baby's discharge, you may choose to continue with your neonatologist. This can be arranged before your baby's discharge.

Pediatricians and Family Practitioners who provide pediatrics care under the UICare and UI Unity Choice Health Plans

It is recommended that during pregnancy all parents think about the selection of a pediatrician or family practitioner who will care for their child after delivery.