Questions to ask potential pediatricians:

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• I definitely recommend doing an interview before birth. It doesn't guarantee you'll be pleased, but at least you won't be meeting a total stranger with your newborn.
• All pediatricians will gladly sit down with you either with a bunch of other moms, or by yourself. Call and make an appointment.
• Are they affiliated with the hospital you are giving birth at? At my hospital, there is time allocated with 24 hours of birth that your doctor should examine the baby. If not the hospital provides one, but you want your pediatrician to do this.
• What is their after hours process? In my case here in Atlanta, there is a childrens hospital called Scottish Rite, that provides 24 hour phone and most pediatricians belong to it, and they will answer easier questions, forward them to your doctor the next day, or get your doctor if you need them specifically. This way doctors are not on 24 hour call 7 days a week for all questions/issues big and small.
• If single practitioner, what about vacations and such?
• Well child vs. sick child waiting areas?
• Philosophies on: breast feeding, circumcision, shots, antibiotics, etc.
• Any other things that you have feelings about. For example, the doctor I talked to yesterday thinks the baby should not fly, be out in crowded areas, etc, until at least 2 months, but would not stop a parent from doing so.
• If group, do you have a primary doctor, or do you see them all?
• How many patients?
• How are the schedules done to include sick children?
• Most important, I think, is when you meet this doctor how comfortable do you feel with them? A good relationship is important.
• Group or individual practice? How many in the group?
• How do they provide for after hours call?
• Are they attendings at the hospital where you will deliver?
• When do they first see the baby?
• Will they come if you have a C-section? If not, who attends the baby in the hospital?
• Do they take your insurance and if so how is it handled?
• What is the schedule of well-baby visits, and how much do they cost?
• How do they handle routine questions during hours (like is there a nurse dedicated for this, or do they do their own call-backs, etc).
• How long in advance do you have to schedule a well-child visit? Sick child?
• Do they employ a lactation consultant or have one they recommend?
• Ditto child behavioralist?
• What hospital do they use should your child ever need to be admitted?
• Do they do any emergencies in office, or do you have to go to the ER (i.e. our ped. does suturing and stuff like that in the office when they are open).
• Do they have any evening or weekend hours?
• If anyone's curious...we go to a practice of 5 pediatricians who rotate call, and have evening and Saturday hours. It takes 3 months to get in for anything other than first year well child visits, but sick kids are seen same day. They have a nurse that just answers phone questions all day. They attend at most local hospitals. They employ two nurse practitioners, with one specializing in developmental assesment and questions.