When it comes to prenatal care, it is important to choose a practitioner who not only meets your needs, but one who is professional and respects your beliefs. Many women do not think about the type of prenatal care they want before they get pregnant; however, when the time comes to make a decision, it should be well thought out. Choosing to be cared for by a midwife or an obstetrician-gynecologist may shape how your pregnancy – and your childbirth – progresses. The last thing you need during pregnancy is to be dealing with stress or tension. That is why it is important to choose someone you are completely comfortable with.

Choosing a Practitioner

There are a few things that you’ll want to take note of when trying to decide between a midwife and an Ob-Gyn. Besides personal beliefs, some women prefer one practitioner over the other for medical reasons, experience, safety, etc. If there are specific things that you are concerned about or need special treatment for, the right practitioner will be essential for a healthy pregnancy.

Routine Approach to Pregnancy

Ob-gyns are well-equipped and take a routine approach to your pregnancy. They will answer your questions and ensure your safe progress during pregnancy. However, since they see many patients, time can be an issue. You may not necessarily get all your questions answered or concerns heard.

If you have certain pre-existing medical conditions, you may be considered high-risk during pregnancy and may need to be cared for by an ob-gyn. Conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, etc. are all considered serious medical conditions and may need more attention. An ob-gyn will have equipment and facilities available to monitor your pre-existing conditions throughout pregnancy.

Usually, midwives take on pregnancies that are not complicated, to ensure the safety of the mother and the baby. Most midwives have the back-up of a doctor for referral if a condition develops during pregnancy or birth.

Holistic Approach to Pregnancy

If you’re looking for someone who can give you time and gets as involved as you want, you may prefer to have a midwife take care of you during your pregnancy. Midwives generally have time to answer questions you may have and can ease you in your pregnancy by helping you along the way, both physically and emotionally. A midwife is able to talk to you about specific birth plans and talk you through your options.

Check List

Before you choose either an ob-gyn or a midwife, go through your checklist and decide how you want to proceed in your pregnancy. Decide on things such as where do want to give birth: in your home or in a hospital? Do you want to try a new birthing experience, such as water birth? Do you have medical problems or have a family history of diseases, such as heart disease or diabetes? Will your medical insurance cover all your needs with this practitioner? Interview doctors or midwives if you have to until you find someone you are comfortable with.

Were there any specific ways you chose a practitioner when pregnant? Let us know your experience with either practitioner.

Written by Manal, first time mom, rearing an infant.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Beginning early in pregnancy, you will likely start to have monthly appointments with your doctor or midwife to assess your pregnancy progress, and help keep you and your baby healthy.

Most experts recommend scheduling your first appointment as soon as you find out you’re pregnant. At this first visit, your healthcare provider will take a full health history (including questions about your menstrual cycles, previous pregnancies, and overall health), and will calculate your due date. This first visit will typically take longer than later ones.

At each appointment you can expect some or all of the following:

• Height and weight
• Blood pressure measurement
• Urine screening
• Physical exam
• Discussion of lifestyle issues that might impact pregnancy

Around 12 weeks (sometimes sooner), your baby’s heartbeat might be heard with a handheld Doppler device – and you can eagerly anticipate hearing it at each appointment. If your provider doesn’t use a Doppler, the heartbeat can be heard with a fetoscope or stethoscope around 20 weeks.

Once you reach the halfway point of pregnancy (20 weeks), your doctor or midwife may begin to measure your belly at each visit. The measurement in centimeters from the fundus (the top of the uterus) to the top of your pubic bone should approximate the number of weeks pregnant you are. For example, if you are 25 weeks pregnant, your belly should measure between 23 and 27 centimeters.

In the last couple months of pregnancy, you may see your provider more often (every other week, then every week). Some providers will begin performing internal examinations in the final weeks to assess your cervix for changes that might signal labor is imminent.

In addition to the physical examinations, your provider may order screening tests at various points in pregnancy. Examples include the AFP screening (or TripleScreen), a glucose tolerance test, an ultrasound, and a beta strep culture. This is by no means a comprehensive list – your provider may suggest fewer or more based on your individual pregnancy. Further diagnostic testing may be performed if a screening test shows abnormal results.

Each visit to the healthcare provider is a time to ask questions and get the answers you need for a fully informed pregnancy and birth. Make a list beforehand so you don’t forget anything.

What if you disagree with your provider at some point, or if you find his or her philosophy of pregnancy and birth don’t match with yours? It’s never too late to switch providers. You want someone whose skill makes you feel confident, but whose personality makes you feel comfortable.

What made you choose your doctor or midwife?

Written by Michelle, writer, editor, childbirth educator, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

You only want the best for your baby. Before birth, you may have interviewed doctors and thought you had chosen the perfect provider. But now that you’re seeing this pediatrician regularly, you’re having second thoughts. The first step is to raise your concerns. If you feel like you’re being rushed through your appointments or if the office staff is unsupportive, a simple statement to the doctor such as, “I feel my last appointment was hurried” can open the door for discussion. Your baby’s doctor will appreciate the feedback about how their office functions.

If your problems are on a more philosophical level – your doctor is condescending about your breastfeeding issues and suggests formula again and again, for example – it can be hard to open a conversation. Be polite, and refrain from any judgmental language. Ask questions so you can fully understand the doctor’s recommendations. If you still can’t reach consensus and continue to feel maltreated, do not hesitate to look for another provider.

Changing doctors is an emotional thing – you have put your trust in this one. You’re unsure not only how to go about firing him or her, but also how you can find another doctor to rely on.

You may want to fire your baby’s doctor if:

• He or she is behind the times on best-practice for infants and children
• The doctor disregards your wishes or doesn’t fully answer your questions
• He or she is rude, condescending or paternalistic
• The office staff is disorganized or unfriendly
• The doctor or nurse is unreachable for simple questions
• You just don’t feel comfortable with this provider

You’ll likely want to have a new doctor lined up before you fire your old one. Ask friends, relatives, and co-workers for their opinions and recommendations for doctors in your area.

Once you’ve selected someone, be sure you check whether they are enrolling new patients, and if they accept your insurance. Then meet with them so you can decide if they are right for you and your baby.

When you interview a new doctor:

• Ask about their philosophies for vaccination and breastfeeding, if these are important to you. A great resource for questions to help find a breastfeeding friendly pediatric practice can be found through the American Academy of Pediatrics.
• Ask what the policy is for phone calls and emails. Is there a nurse or other staff member in the office who can answer routine questions?
• What are their policies regarding scheduling well-visits and sick-visits? Is there a walk-in clinic, or do you need an appointment?
• Where did the physician(s) go to school? What professional societies do they belong to? Do they regularly keep up with conferences or continuing education opportunities?
• Most importantly, ask yourself if you feel comfortable with this doctor after the interview.

Be sure to request your records be transferred to the new doctor you have chosen, and let the doctor know why you’re leaving his or her practice, if appropriate. Most of all, trust your instincts. If you don’t feel comfortable with your baby’s current provider, don’t be afraid to make a change.

Have you ever had to fire your doctor? What advice can you add?

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Your pregnancy bump acts like a magnet, attracting unwanted advice from across the land. As soon as you start to show, you will be receiving advice about sleeping, breastfeeding and discipline. It can be tiresome to say the least.

There will be times, however, when you are in need of advice. Perhaps during those first few days, as you struggle to help your baby to latch on for a feed. Or maybe a couple of weeks later, when your baby develops a rash and you don’t know what has caused it. Or maybe a couple of months down the line, when you want a tried and tested method to help your baby with teething pains. So, when you do want parenting advice, where can you get it?

1. Experienced friends – lots of people rely on experienced friends for advice. These friends have been through it all recently, you trust them, and they probably love an opportunity to share their tips and tricks with you. Choose friends whose parenting styles you admire and want to replicate. Remember, just because you’re friends, doesn’t necessarily mean you will agree on everything, so it’s ok to pick and choose which advice you follow.

2. Your parents – some people choose to rely on their own parents or in-laws for advice. This makes sense, after all, you know whether they were good parents or not! You may find that you feel closer to your parents once you become a parent, because you are finally able to truly understand all that they did for you. One thing to be wary of, however, is that their advice may be outdated. Official advice changes over time because of scientific studies and new research coming out, but your parents are unlikely to be aware of this. For example, though parents are now advised to put babies to sleep on their back at the foot of the crib, this wasn’t always the case. Double check any advice that could be outdated, to make sure it is still considered safe.

3. A trusted book – if you’re a bookworm, you might have a whole shelf filled with parenting literature by now. Or, perhaps, you just have the one trusted manual. It’s useful to have a book you can turn to during times of need, and one that can help to shape your overall parenting philosophy. Try to read a variety of books, so that you can pick and choose the advice you find most helpful.

4. Doctor Google – it’s sometimes hard to imagine life before smart phones. How did new parents used to find out whether their baby’s poo was normal, or what to do if their baby projectile vomited? Some new parents search for answers on the internet. There is a wealth of information available, but it may not always be good advice. Be selective about which sites you visit, and whose information you trust.

5. Healthcare professionals – if you are worried that your baby may be ill, of course you should always contact your doctor. However, you may also find healthcare professionals useful in other circumstances too. If your child is having trouble sleeping, is having difficulty latching on, or simply wants to be held all the time, you could ask your healthcare provider for advice. In the UK, you could speak to your health visitor for advice on any issues related to parenting. In the US, you can speak to your pediatrician.

Where do you think you will get your parenting advice from?

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Whether you visit the pediatrician’s office for a routine appointment or because of a specific health concern, you’ll want to get the most out of your visit. You may not see your child’s pediatrician very often, so make sure you use your appointment wisely. Here are five top tips to help you get the most out of your visit to the pediatrician’s office:

1. Be prepared

You simply won’t get as much out of the appointment if you’re not prepared. You probably have all kinds of questions you want to ask, but you’re likely to forget during the appointment unless you take written notes. It may sound a bit over the top, but your pediatrician will be relieved to see you taking the appointment seriously. List all of your concerns and start with the most pressing question. Remember, doctor’s appointments are only short so you may not get through everything on your list. If you don’t take a list of questions, you’re likely to forget on the day and end up feeling frustrated later.

2. Give background

A big part of your pediatrician’s job is listening. She needs to listen to and address your concerns as well as listening to the information you give her about your child. She needs to know as much as possible. She needs to know about family health problems as well as your child’s diet and lifestyle. Don’t be afraid of overloading the pediatrician with information, she’s used to filtering through for the bits she really needs to know. Make sure you answer her questions with as detailed answers as possible and make sure you are giving her the full picture.

3. Ask questions

Your pediatrician spent years studying at medical school, you probably didn’t, so nobody’s expecting you to know all the same things. If the pediatrician uses medical jargon you don’t understand or refers to health problems you’ve never heard of, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification. Your pediatrician wants you to understand exactly what she’s telling you, so double check that you’ve understood it all before leaving. Don’t be afraid to ask for more information if you think the pediatrician is skipping things, your pediatrician may even print off some written info for you to take home.

4. Focus

A trip to the pediatrician’s office isn’t likely to be a particularly calming experience. If your child is poorly, you’re both likely to be short on sleep and grumpy, so it’s not going to be a walk in the park. Your pediatrician needs your full attention, however, and she can’t do her job properly without it. She needs to make sure you’re giving her all the background information and that you’re taking in what she’s telling you. If you have other children, it might be worth leaving them with a sitter or at least taking something in to distract them so you can concentrate during the appointment.

5. Be forceful

Sometimes, moms just know something is wrong with their child, even when the doctor’s diagnosis doesn’t back it up. Remember, you know your child better than anybody and if you think something is up, it might well be. If you have a gut feeling that something isn’t right, don’t be afraid to push this with your doctor. Sometimes, a mother’s worry can be just the nudge a pediatrician needs to order that extra test or investigate further.

Do you have any top tips to share for getting the most out of your pediatrician’s appointment?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

New parents sometimes don’t want to be seen as overprotective by calling the baby’s doctor at the least little change in baby’s behavior. How are you to know when you should get professional help, and when your baby isn’t really in need of medical attention?

While every healthcare provider is different, here are some general rules about when to call the doctor and what you might do at home:

• Any fall by a baby, especially if he hit his head and even if he’s acting normal. Sometimes changes may take a while to show up, but you want to catch any problems before they cause too much damage to baby’s growing brain.
• Excessive crying after eliminating all common causes. Keep this relative to how much your individual baby typically fusses. Try diaper changes, feeding, burping, changing clothes, checking to be sure toes and fingers aren’t caught in strings or hair (you’d be surprised how often this happens!), etc. If your baby is inconsolable and will not sleep, call the doctor.
• Excessive drowsiness, especially if baby can’t be roused for feedings. Babies may occasionally miss a feeding, but if your baby misses more than one, he may be ill.
• Fever greater than 101°F (38°C), especially if baby is younger than 2 months. Some healthcare providers will recommend over-the-counter fever reducers, but some will want to check baby first.
• Projective vomiting. This is more forceful and copious than normal spit-up. If it’s happening repeatedly, your baby will need to be kept hydrated. If you’re breastfeeding, keep trying to nurse.
• Diarrhea or blood / mucous in baby’s stools. If your baby has more than 10 watery stools in one day, this is considered diarrhea. Keep your baby hydrated and seek medical attention.
• Cough or severe runny nose, especially if accompanied by a fever or if baby is tugging on his ears, too. You might use a nasal aspirator, saline drops or a humidifier to keep your baby comfortable, but you want to rule out infection.
• Discharge from the eyes. Some newborns have blocked tear ducts, which is typically harmless. But older babies with sudden eye irritation should be checked for infection
• If your baby has difficulty breathing or has been exposed to any toxic substance, call your local emergency providers immediately.

The list above is of course not complete, there may be many other instances where it is best to call your doctor. The number one rule is to trust your instincts. If you think your baby needs to be seen by a healthcare provider, be persistent until you have your needs met. You know your baby best – in health and in illness!

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.