How Do I Pick a Pediatrician?

ParentingU

When you’re having a baby, it’s good to have a solid team on your side. Meet Ashley Conner, RN, BSN, a Pediatric Nurse Navigator and Evie Robison, RN, a Pregnancy Navigator—both Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital. Conner and Robison join ParentingU host Stephanie to talk about how to pick a pediatrician, why you should make the choice before your baby is born—and how to get help making that decision!

Both navigators stress that who you and your baby see for medical care in the early years is all about forming a relationship. Your baby’s doctor is someone you may be seeing for years to come—what are some of the questions and considerations to take on now, before your baby arrives? In this thoughtful episode, you’ll learn more about what to think about when choosing a doctor for your baby plus how to access resources available to you and your family.

Questions Answered on the Show

• What is a Pediatric Nurse Navigator and what do they do?
• How do I find out a pediatrician’s office policies and how they view pediatric care?
• Does “bedside manner” or a doctor’s style matter when it comes to pediatrics?
• How do I get recommendations for pediatricians?
• Oops, I am not happy with the pediatrician I picked. What can I do?
• What are some practical things I should think about—like office location—when picking a doctor? Why are those so important?
• I just found out I’m pregnant! When should I start looking for a pediatrician?
• Does it matter if I have a pediatrician picked out before I give birth?
• What kinds of things should I know about myself before I pick a pediatrician?
• How do I set an appointment with a Pediatric Nurse Navigator?

Resources for You

Ready to start a relationship with an exceptional pediatrician?

• Find a pediatric provider in Baton Rouge.
• Find a pediatric provider in Acadiana.
• Find a pediatric provider in Northeast Louisiana.
• Find a pediatric provider in Bogalusa.

• Preregister! Expectant moms can register at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital here
• ParentingU episode about Getting Ready for Baby
• ParentingU episode about Preparing to Breastfeed
• Digital Resources from our birthing hospitals:
• Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital
• Our Lady of the Angels Hospital
• Francis Medical Center

We hope you enjoy the new season of ParentingU! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.