This morning we went out and had a consultation with a pediatrician. This wouldn't be so strange except for the fact that it's March and the baby isn't due until August. I wasn't surprised that he was shocked to see us. I was shocked to find out why, "Most people are days from delivering when they suddenly realize that they haven't picked out a pediatrician. You two are way ahead of the curve." Maybe it was my upbringing. The doctor that delivered me was a general practitioner. He delivered me and was my doc until I was in my early teens and had the courage to say to my mother and father, "I'm really uncomfortable sitting two hours in the waiting room with all those prisoners." Yep, my doc delivered babies, and was the official doctor of the local prison. Apparently he didn't do house calls for them either. He used to book himself such that his waiting room was always standing room only, and it took forever to get your turn. I have no idea why. Maybe that was the way it was done back then. Since I've gotten out in to the brave wide open I notice that most doctor's offices have more chairs than patients, and you seldom have to wait more than fifteen or so minutes.
Sara said the appointment was at 8:30am which worked for me, I had a 9:30am meeting, and surely we wouldn't need a whole hour with the doc. At 8:35 as we are driving over, I commented that I'm going to have to pack Sara's overnight bag for baby delivery a few weeks in advance because, as it stands she would be late to her own delivery. To this she responded, "Yeah, that's why the appointment is really for 8:45." Then she called me a dick. Yeah, I earned that, but now I'm much more likely to be late for my 9:30 meeting.
He said some things that I really liked, for instance he's not going to reach for the antibiotics every time sparky gets the sniffles. I like this, I'm not a fan of the pill for pill's sake. He also doesn't mind that Sara and I are being seen by an Eastern practitioner. It works for us, so it works, and he see's no reason to knock it. Plus, we are of the opinion that the job of the Eastern practitioner is to keep us well. If we break an arm, we go to the emergency room just like everyone else. Each to their gifts.
He said some things that made my skin crawl. He mentioned that in the first few months of life, dad doesn't really have much of a roll, but if I'd like he could put me on hormones so I could help with the breast feeding. He was smiling when he said it, but my skin crawls non the less. I HATE getting hair in my mouth. Why would I subject that to a child of mine? Oh, and no as a matter of fact I'm NOT going to consider shaving for this purpose. I don't need that kind of neurosis, my shrink's busy enough already thanks.
After about two questions Sara was tapped out, and I had no questions to start with. At this point the doc chipped in by asking and answering the best of the questions of the other people who come in and interview him. Good stuff. We learned about big practices, medium sized practices, and small practices, both the good and bad points of each. He told us about what he would be doing in terms of delivery day activities, and he even told us a list of things we absolutely needed around the house when baby comes home. These included, a place to sleep like a dresser drawer or a cardboard box, anything that can be really close to our bed without being in our bed. We need a digital rectal thermometer. I was bothered by this, but the logic is sound. Baby's have tiny ears, already filled with crap, the ear thermometer won't be accurate until later. Baby's temp reaches 100.4 that's an automatic hospitalization. Glass bottles. Plastic bottles have a bad rap these days and glass is easier to clean. Good advice.
For me, I'm done shopping, sign us up and see you in August. I arrived at my 9:30 meeting at 9:50. It had ended about five minutes before I arrived.
