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January 25, 2005
Pediatric Intimidation
Okay, so 16 weeks might be a bit early to start looking into pediatricians, seeing as I'm not yet half way through this whole pregnancy thing, let alone sporting a baby. But someone's recommendation on a breastfeeding LiveJournal community of a doctor not too far from us (11 miles) prompted me to check with our insurance whether or not that person is on our provider list, which, thankfully, he is. Why this specific doctor? he's pro-breastfeeding and pro-extended breastfeeding. Definitely a bonus.
Where does the intimadation part come in? Well, with the Westchester Medical Center down the road, as well as the Blythedale (I think) children's hospital a little bit further down the road from that, and a bunch of other consolidated practises/clinics in the larger towns nearby, there's 200 pediatricians in a 6 mile radius (!), and it was only 200 because that was the max amount of listings the insurance site would give to my query. Do I check with each of these first to see if they're co-operative in the things I find important because they're closer by? or do I ask this one person in the community for more information about her pediatrician and follow that recommendation first?
And yes, there are plenty of pediatricians who push formula or early weaning or solids and are no proponents for (extended) breastfeeding or child-led weaning and delaying solids and such, so this makes a difference. I'd rather not end up with a pediatrician where every choice PreZ and I have made ends up being an uphill battle, for very obvious reasons. I need and want a healthcare provider who is supportive of my choices, not derisive or counter-productive.
Argh. I haven't even run this by PreZ yet though, and it's also not a pressing matter, but still. The onslaught of choices is intimidating at least, obviously I won't be spoiled for choice if one person doesn't work out, but it's that whole "forest for the trees" thing too.
Posted on 06:26 PM to: Pregnancy