Quick Pediatrician Update!

Victory! This post is a little delayed because the week has been quite chaotic, I did feel the need to share, there ARE sane pediatricians in Connecticut! I don't know if there are others, but there's at least one!

Our third in-person interview was a pleasant surprise. Ironically, this practice is closest to our home, I should have started with a map instead of searching online! We met with Dr. F in one of her exam rooms which was covered in hand-drawn pictures from her patients expressing their fondness and sometimes love for their doctor- I hadn't seen this at any other offices, and I certainly never would have drawn my pediatricians a picture. Dr. F met with us right on time, gave us her spiel in which we learned she has decades of experience, is flexible and laid back, and just gave us the warm fuzzies I thought we'd never find.

Flexibility in the AAP vaccine schedule was a must for us, Dr. F is completely accepting of this and fits our ideal doctor profile, willing to discuss which ones she feels are a priority for BG McD and which ones we can delay without concern.

While I'm entirely too stubborn and strong-willed (and educated) to change my sleep plans for a doctor, I know several family and friends who have been negatively judged by their pediatricians for cosleeping in any form, whether it be bed-sharing or simply room sharing. Dr. F said she doesn't endorse this practice in her waiting room to all families, if you're not obese (a known risk factor for rolling onto your child) and using recreational drugs/alcohol at night (another known risk factor), there are many benefits. I don't need a doctor who has had no training in infant sleeping arrangements (not part of medical school training if you think about it), to judge me for my educated decision, and it's nice that we know that conversation won't come up.

Dr. F has positive views on breastfeeding, didn't have an office full of formula samples or flyers endorsing Enfamil or Gerber or whoever makes formula- I don't really know-I don't want any part of it. I love that. She sees the value in La Leche League and wants her patients' mothers to be comfortable in their decision... while I'd love to go on an anti-formula tirade, being accepting of what a mom needs to do is probably the best answer, and I pray we don't need to explore that avenue once BG arrives.

Oddly, despite the research indicating physiological benefits of babywearing, some doctors I have spoken with are against baby wearing and I believe while they don't all say it outright, some align with the "cry it out" method of baby training which Attachment Parenting strongly cautions against... I think the anti-babywearing doctors are also baby trainers. Dr F wore her children for periods of time and even shared with us that her fourth child wasn't happy unless he was worn... Not only does she like babywearing, but she's DONE it! Score!

Our other concern was judgement or even refusal to see us because of where we are birthing. Dr. F expressed a fondness for midwifery care and has no problem seeing the baby within 48hrs of birth (as she'll be home not in a hospital where a pediatrician will do rounds).  Other bonuses... she regularly has evening hours one weeknight per week and works Saturday mornings. The practice she works in has half a dozen doctors who all keep their own caseloads but provide coverage on nights and non-scheduled weekend hours. I like the accessibility and the office staff were all very friendly... *ahhhh* sigh of relief. I am so very glad we did our homework and that we didn't just settle. Dr. F was worth the search and I know she'll take exceptional care of BG McD... this is one of the last big things on the To Do list, now we have to pack that birth center bag so it's ready to go.  Hopefully later rather than sooner, but that's for the next blog post.