Congratulations on your newborn!!

After months of expectation, your bundle of joy is here at last!

What next?

Your baby’s doctor ( Pediatrician) is also very excited to meet you and get introduced to this new addition to your family. The newborn visit is not as nerve-wracking as some parents, especially new parents, may think.

So I want your attention as I discuss the key things during this visit.

After delivery at the hospital, just before you leave, you are expected to give the details of your pediatrician’s office so that the Newborn hospital stay summary can be faxed to the office. Also, the hospital will provide you with a copy of this summary to take the newborn visit. Obtain the pediatrician’s details can when you go to the pediatrician’s office for a one-time prenatal visit ( more on this in another blog) before delivery or when you research your area and call the office to get this information. Furthermore, you are to call while at the hospital to schedule a follow-up appointment with the pediatrician 2-3 days after discharge.

At the visit proper, there will be the administrative aspect which entails filling out multiple forms, insurance details, setting up patient portals, etc. These take time, so you are advised to come earlier than your appointment time.

Your pediatrician meets your newborn and reviews the summaries. You must bring these with you as they are much more detailed and paint a clearer picture of what transpired during labor and delivery. The more complex your baby’s hospital stay, the more time is needed to review. Your doctor will check the immunization record and the screenings for hearing and blood tests for newborn disorders at the hospital.

Your baby will be weighed at this and every visit and then will be examined and findings documented. In some instances, there will be a need for lab tests like those for jaundice, anemia, further newborn screening tests, etc.

The pediatrician will discuss safety for your baby at home (car seats, cribs, etc.) and screen the baby’s mother for depression and anxiety, which can occur after delivery. There will be a discussion about your baby’s feeding, number of wet diapers, and bowel movements per day.

You can ask questions about your baby and what to expect when you go home. Lots of anticipatory guidance would be given to you via the patient portal (preferred due to convenience and ease of access ) or paper form (less preferred; save the trees!!)

Typically the visit should conclude with your family setting up the follow-up appointment in 1 week for a recheck of your baby’s weight. At that visit, your baby should have achieved or exceeded birth weight. Also, you must get information on how to contact the office after hours in case you have a concern.

CONGRATULATIONS once again!!

Dr Geraldine