A lot happened today.
I finally decided that we will start with a cloth diaper service, decided which diaper service to go with, called them, set up our first delivery, and ordered a selection of different brands and types of diaper wraps.
(Reading advice and product reviews on diaperpin.com, obsessing about whether or not polyester and PUL were too toxic to contemplate, considering all-in-ones vs. tri-folds, et. al., had me in a near paralysis state till now.)
With such a series of successful events under my belt, and since I was going to be driving by the office at just the right time on my way home, and in the spirit of leaving no stone unturned…
I originally made this reservation for my second meet-and-greet with this first pediatric practice I’d met and gretted (making up words now, sue me) in the hopes that Scott would come with me. But sadly, no. He had a date with a friend to go to a Star Trek event and meet and greet with the look-at-his-butt girls. (I couldn’t deny him such small pleasures.)
I’d already decided to go with this pediatrician after our recent phone conversation, but I’d forgotten to cancel my reservation, so I chose to just swing by there anyway. On the upside, I could say hi in person (since — what with the low blood sugar and alienation I’d experienced — I hadn’t done so at that first m & g). Plus, I could always leave if I was bored.
I walked in at exactly 5:30 p.m. The sun was setting over the San Francisco Bay, a thick band of glowing orange fading to blue. I know this because I went in back to use the restroom, and got an eyeful of the view as I peeked in through the open doors of each and every exam room in these 12th floor offices.
I loves me some pretty views. And I loves me some pretty, well organized, well appointed offices, and extraordinarily nice, unhurried front desk staff.
I stayed for the talk. The same two doctors. Slightly different conversation. Just how it varies from month to month, I guess.
My guy talked about how he likes to work with his patients’ families to make the choices they want to make regarding traditional or alternative healing methods. He’s open to complimentary care and working with parents to find out what works for them.
He said that often there is not a lot of scientific evidence behind what pediatricians are called upon to recommend — that things like when to introduce solid foods, and which foods, vary by culture, for example. He’ll provide the medical information that is available, describe traditional recommendations, and offer suggestions of where to go for more info.
Nice.
He spoke about vaccines. Said that he doesn’t mind spreading them out, as I’d learned in our phone conversation, though he doesn’t believe it makes much difference to do so. He said he would make clear which vaccines are important to do at a specific age.
He also said he was less adamant about flu shots — another issue I’ll have to read up on since I’ve never had one, and never had anyone say I needed one, but they are recommended for children ages 6 months to about 5 years. The other doc added that none of the vaccines they offer contain mercury, a policy the practice has followed long before the issue became regulated.
One woman asked about what happens when sick children come in. (Remember, one of the docs I met with had separate sick- and well-child waiting rooms.)
My doc explained that they prefer to call the room we were in a “‘Reception Area’ — because this is where you will be received. You won’t be ‘waiting’ here.” He said this with a certain amount of pomp and arm waving, like a Vegas showman, because wink-wink we all know we’ll never be waiting. Not that waiting would be so bad in there. Clean. Nice toys. Comfortable chairs. A window.
But seriously folks… he did say they make every effort to bring sick children and young babies in back to a private exam room as soon as possible.
He also mentioned that the front desk staff had been with the practice longer than either of the two docs (she’s been there 10 years, and he’s been 17), that these support people receive excellent benefits, and are a very well-informed resource for us when we call — which had already been my experience. I liked that the happiness of the staff seemed to be such a priority.
I was bummed Scott didn’t get to be there. But I left feeling even more confident about my decision, so it was worth it for that.