American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations for parents’ prenatal visits. This means that all parents-to-be should visit a pediatrician during the women’s third trimester. At this stage, the relationship should begin to develop along with a supportive medical environment for the little one.
If you have any medical issues that may impact your pregnancy but even without any problems, it’s totally okay to call a pediatrician. If you think something is wrong, even if it’s just a feeling, contact your doctor or head over to be checked out.
It’s never too early or too late in pregnancy. This means even if you’re 36 weeks and sitting at home thinking “I’ll wait until I go into labor”, we still recommend calling and making an appointment with a pediatrician before going into labor.
The big key here is establishing good relationships with people who know how to take care of your unborn baby even before it’s born.
When should you pick a pediatrician when pregnant?
You can call a pediatrician anytime you find it comfortable. It is very good to establish your relationship with your baby’s doctor even before the birth. Some recommended time for contacting a pediatrician is at the beginning of your third or even at the second trimester of pregnancy.
Some parents do it three to five months before the birth, so it is really up to the parents. Having this amount of time allows parents to decide on a plan at their own pace.
Whenever you find out for sure that you’re pregnant, it’s important to be proactive in looking into what your options are. You will want to do research on who offers prenatal care services within your insurance plan, or if you need an obstetrician who does not routinely provide prenatal care services, research what other medical providers offer those options.
And finally, it would also be wise to consult with people you trust, like other parents to get their insights on pediatricians they trust and respect.
Does your pediatrician come to the hospital?
No, a pediatrician does not need to be a part of the hospital members. If they are on staff, a pediatrician will be assigned from the hospital due to your infant’s hospital examination.
Most pediatricians are not on-call when it comes to hospitalization for childbirth. If you have a specific need or question related to your child’s health during labor and delivery, you may want to find a provider who is more experienced in pregnancy or labor and delivery.
We recommend that parents choose their obstetrician upfront. If he/she is available during your desired schedule at the time of booking then they will be contacted by maternity staff when your due date approaches.
A lot of pediatricians meet their patients for checkups at their offices near home, or sometimes they come to the patient if it is very convenient for them to do so. If your baby needs any emergency care, you may be able to call your pediatrician and they will usually be able to guide you through what you need to do next.
What happens at a 2 week check up for a newborn?
You can expect that the pediatrician will measure the infant’s length, weight, and head circumference. Baby’s sight and reflexes will also be tasted as part of its physical development.
At a two-week check-up, your baby will get the hepatitis B vaccine if it hasn’t gotten in the hospital already.
A 2-week check-up for a newborn is designed to catch any potential problems and to give parents crucial information about what to expect next with their tiny baby.
A weight and length assessment measures the health of the baby with percentile charts, while routine lab work can help protect against infections and check for any changes in electrolytes (since babies pee like crazy!)
The doctor will ask you questions about your child’s sleep habits and eating patterns, look at their eyes and listen to their heart. They’ll use a tool called the otoscope which looks at your child’s ears or suck on their finger to see how well they are feeding – this won’t hurt them at all!
This is not a medical examination like it would be for an older child or adult. It’s more of a chat with the doctor to make sure everything is going smoothly, but sometimes they might prescribe medicines based on what health conditions are at stake.
When do you start tummy time?
The AAP says parents can start tummy time as early as their first day home from the hospital. Therefore, tummy time can begin as soon as your baby arrives home.
So, on the first day away from the hospital, you can put your baby on the stomach and start practicing two to three times a day.
The length shouldn’t be long, so the tummy time should last about three to five minutes each practice. As the baby gets older and stronger by the day, parents can gradually start increasing the time.
Tummy time is important because babies need to learn how to roll over, which helps with their motor development and will keep them safe from developing flat spots on their heads.
It also teaches new skills like lifting themselves up by using arm muscles, hands creeping towards toys, and new milestones like grabbing things no matter how small or distant they are.
And finally, it just gets them used to being on all fours so they’ll be more stable when crawling or walking!
Summary
While the woman is pregnant the questions that pop her mind are uncountable. That’s why we tried to cover everything, even the ones that sound “stupid”.
However, parents-to-be should know that there aren’t “stupid” questions, and it’s totally normal to worry about every single thing since you are creating a life in your tummy. Even questions about talking to the baby in utero are completely normal.
One of the most popular questions, regarding the child’s health, is when to call a pediatrician when pregnant. The right time is not determined, so you can call him or her whenever you feel the most comfortable and get the needed advice.
Some recommended time is usually around the second trimester, but some parents do it later or even at the very beginning. So, follow your gut, and do it whenever you feel the most comfortable.
