Choosing a pediatrician when you’re pregnant: A guide for expecting parents

One of the many important decisions you'll face as an expecting parent is selecting a pediatrician or family practitioner. Your pediatrician will play an important role in your child's healthcare, from infancy through adolescence, and finding the right one can provide comfort and reassurance during those years.

Start early

It's a good idea to start looking for a pediatrician as early as the second or third trimester of pregnancy. This will give you the opportunity to consider what qualities you want in a pediatrician.

"Starting early gives you ample time to research and meet with potential pediatricians before your baby arrives, ensuring you won't feel rushed when the time comes," says Hazel Guinto, MD, system chair of pediatrics at Main Line Health and medical director of pediatric emergency services at Bryn Mawr Hospital. "Your future self will appreciate your proactive approach and you'll feel more confident and prepared, knowing you've taken steps to ensure your child's health from the start."

Ask for recommendations

Getting recommendations from trusted sources, like friends, family and your OB-GYN, is helpful in finding the best pediatrician for your child. Their personal experiences can provide valuable insights and help you make an informed decision.

The hospital where you choose to deliver may also have pediatricians or family practitioners on staff who you could consider. This collaborative effort can help you feel more confident and supported in making this decision.

Evaluate their experience and philosophy of care

It's important to understand a pediatrician's background and approach to care. Are they board-certified? Does their clinical practice align with recommendations from trusted sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics?

Is it important for you to see the same physician each visit? Does the practice have expertise in areas that are important to you? Inquire about their approach to preventive care, such as nutrition and exercise, and mental health. What if your child needs care from a subspecialist? Do they have easily accessible referral sources?

"Understanding how pediatricians handle chronic conditions or special needs is important as well," says Dr. Guinto. This knowledge allows you to choose a doctor whose treatment approach matches your needs.

Consider location and office hours

When it comes to taking care of your child's health, convenience is a big factor. Choosing a pediatrician's office that is close to your home saves time on travel. Check their hours to see if they work with your schedule and consider one that offers after-hours or weekend appointments for emergencies or busy days.

Visit the pediatrician's office

Whether you're choosing a pediatrician or a family practice physician, who can also treat children, it's important to visit their office.

Scheduling a prenatal appointment to meet the pediatrician and tour their office allow you to assess your comfort level with the doctor and staff. Pay attention to how clean and organized the office is, as well as the general atmosphere. Does the office have ample staff support — receptionist, medical assistant, nurse?

"When visiting with a potential physician, make sure to talk about important topics like immunization practices, where you will be referred should your child need testing, urgent and emergency care, or hospitalization if needed," says Dr. Guinto.

Take this chance to ask any lingering questions you may have.

Evaluate communication styles

A good relationship with your child's doctor is important. Find a physician who is approachable, listens, respects your opinions and explains things clearly. Make sure they answer your questions patiently and thoroughly.

Also, find out if a patient portal offered. This provides convenience of accessing immunizations, test results, reaching out for questions or medication refills and scheduling visits.

Inquire about office policies

Office policies can impact your visit. Ask about appointment availability., including sick visits, and telemedicine options.

Inquire about how the pediatrician handles questions or emergencies after hours. Knowing how to reach them off-hours can bring peace of mind.

"Additionally, ask about their policies on well visits, immunizations and handling delays or cancellations to see how accommodating they are to your family's needs," says Dr. Guinto.

Check your insurance coverage

To make sure your child's healthcare is affordable and accessible, start by checking if the pediatrician is in your insurance network. Find out what services are covered, like well visits/check-ups and sick visits, to avoid surprise costs later.

Before your baby arrives, inquire about how they handle insurance claims. This will help you understand how billing and reimbursements will work.

Pediatric care at Main Line Health

When choosing a pediatrician for your child, you want access to world-class care that's close to home. Thanks to the collaboration between Main Line Health and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), families can benefit from exceptional pediatric expertise right in their community.

At Bryn Mawr Hospital, the Pediatric Emergency Department is staffed with highly experienced pediatricians and nurses, ensuring your child receives specialized care when it's needed most. Should your child need hospitalization, the hospital's pediatric unit is staffed by CHOP pediatricians, offering peace of mind. Additionally, Main Line Health's neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) across its four acute care hospitals are staffed by CHOP neonatologists and clinicians, providing the highest level of care for newborns who need it.

For families requiring specialty care, services like CHOP's Fetal Heart Program are conveniently located on the Bryn Mawr Hospital campus. From routine checkups to critical care, Main Line Health and CHOP are here to support your child's health journey.

Next steps:

Learn more about Hazel Guinto, MD
Learn more about pediatric care at Main Line Health
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