Pregnancy & Birth

A birth plan is a written outline of what you would like to happen during your labor and delivery. Talk with your provider about your birth preferences. Your birth plan is personal to you. It will depend not only on what you want during your labor and delivery, but also on your medical history and your individual circumstances.

By interviewing prospective pediatric providers before your baby’s birth, you will have a chance to ask questions and determine if you are comfortable with the practice. The following list of questions will help you gather the information you need to make a good decision:

• Is the pediatrician's office conveniently located? Is it easily accessible by car or public transportation?
• Are the office hours convenient for your own schedule? If you are a working parent, you may desire evening or weekend hours.
• What is the office's policy on taking and returning phone calls? Is there a nurse in the office who can answer routine questions?
• Is the pediatric provider in a group practice with other providers? Do providers cover for one another at times? Who handles phone calls when the office is closed or during provider vacations?
• Spend time in the waiting room. Do both the providers and the office staff seem friendly and polite? Do they demonstrate compassion and patience?
• Can you make an appointment on short notice if your child needs to see the provider for an illness?
• Does the provider communicate clearly and make an effort to ensure that all your questions are answered?
• What insurance plans does the practice take?
• What fees will you be responsible for when seeing the provider for both sick visits and routine examinations?
• If it becomes necessary for your child to be hospitalized, where would he or she be admitted?

There's only one way to take your baby home from the hospital – in an infant-safe car seat. Newborns can sit in two kinds of car seats: a rear-facing infant seat or a convertible seat (which faces the rear of the car at first and later is turned toward the front when your baby reaches a certain height and weight). Make sure you read the installation instructions carefully and have someone check that you installed the seat correctly. Regional Ambulance Service holds child car seat installation demonstrations and inspections every Wednesday afternoon. Please call 802.773.1746 for more information.