Expecting your first child and looking for a pediatrician? It’s one of the first—and most important—decisions a new parent has to make. Here is some expert advice from Dr. Sarah Seaforth, pediatrician at Scarsdale Medical Group/White Plains Hospital Physician Associates:
1. Ask to meet with them
Just as you’d interview nannies before deciding who to hire, you should speak with a few pediatricians before deciding which one is best for your family. Schedule consultation appointments with pediatricians you are interested in during your second trimester. Discuss any specific health preferences you have with the practice to ensure it’s a good fit.
2. Ask about the entire pediatric group
While you will most likely select one doctor as your primary pediatrician, a group means you have access to multiple doctors. “We all have different levels of experience in different areas which is a benefit to the families we see,” says Dr. Seaforth about her group, which includes six physicians and one nurse practitioner who is a lactation specialist—especially beneficial to new mothers who plan to breastfeed.
3. Ask about hospital affiliation
Many pediatric groups are connected with a hospital, which helps streamline care by giving pediatricians access to a network of specialists.
White Plains Hospital pediatricians are affiliated with Montefiore Einstein. In addition, care can be seamlessly coordinated with physicians from the Children's Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM). CHAM physicians in 11 subspecialties, including cardiology, gastroenterology and surgery, who see patients at the Pediatric Specialty Center in White Plains, bring expert care closer to home and make it more convenient for families.
“We can see the specialists’ notes, and they can see ours, which makes it much easier to coordinate care,” says Dr. Seaforth.
4. Ask about the hours of operation, and how to reach a doctor outside of an appointment
You will want to know in advance whether your group’s hours work with your schedule. Ask about how to reach a doctor after hours, and their preferred method of communication for non-urgent questions. Dr. Seaforth says she and her colleagues personally answer non-urgent questions through their practice’s portal, Montefiore MyChart.
To find a doctor visit wphpa.org or call 914-849-6963.
Dr. Sarah Seaforth is a board-certified pediatrician with Scarsdale Medical Group. To make an appointment, call 914-989-1111.