Choosing a paediatrician, disappointed.

[JaniceT]

My FS recommended me a Paediatrician whom he said was more flexible if I wish to delay baby's vaccinations to a slightly later date or if I would like to opt out of some vaccines.

So today, I met the Paediatrician whenhe was giving a quick talk about vaccines during the Prenatal/parentcraft class. He pushed for Vaccines and scared quite a few parents for not having the tetanus vaccine while pregnant. Also, he wishes for all babies to have all vaccinations including some not-so-common vaccines.

Now I don't mind that he encourages vaccinations but I was quite disappointed when I asked him :

1) That my brother didn't react well with vaccines and his two young children had seizures when vaccinated. I asked if i could have my baby tested for allegic reactions to vaccines prior to taking the jab. He said NO.

2) Wht if my baby is allergic to eggs? Can I have an allergy test for that before giving baby an egg based vaccine? He said, I should feed me baby with eggs at home and if baby has adverse reaction to eggs, to got ER at hospital and later baby will not be given the vaccine. That's shocking!

3) My mother and I both have immunity to hep B. I asked if I could get a blood test done for baby to see of he has immunity to Hep B. If he did, then there is no reason to give baby 3 injections for that. He disagrees and says baby will need it.

I just do not understand why that when I wish to ensured baby gets tested due to family history of bad reactions, the Paediatrician isn't encouraging? I don't want my baby to have the seizures that my nephew and niece had.

Sorry for the rant

 

[Annunakian]

I read somewhere (don't hold me to it, just something I read) that most pediatricians will push vaccines because that is what they are taught and because they have to report to the pediatric board or whatever that most of the time you're better off with a General Practitioner, so that's what we are going to try. I have avoided taking my DS to doctors (besides urgent care) since I read up and decided to not vaccinate him anymore but now with a new bubs coming I"m going to have to find someone decent. The one time I did take him I got grilled for not vaccinating and refused to do it again.

I sure hope you find someone that will give you the time and not push things on you, it's hard finding a doc that won't push that crap.

 

[JaniceT]

Thanks Annunakian, it's nice to know that you understand where I'm coming from. Yeah I'm disappointed that the Doc sees all babies to be same. However they aren't. I have spent the last month looking for a good, friendly paediatrician at several private hospitals but have yet to find one. No doubt there are very good doctors out there, I still have a hard time finding one who will listen instead of thinking kids come pre-cut with a cookie cutter when it comes to vaccines.

Also in America and most of Europe, the MMR is now given after 15 weeks to ensure it works. Here, it's still given at 12 months. If I were to have baby take the MMR, of course I would prefer to wait a little longer.

 

[membas#1]

we also need to start looking for a vaccine friendly doctor for baby--we've got a few names from friends that we need to look into...it's a daunting task as i don't want to be criticized for not vaccinating. we plan to look into each vaccine and determine when and if it's appropriate for our LO but we do not plan to do any vaccines at a young infant stage, and likely lean more towards not doing any at all, but we still have to research each and every one and make that decision. we've thought about going to a naturopathic doctor instead of a mainstream medical doctor. good luck and yep, find a different doctor--there are some out there that will not make you feel bad for your choices and that will not push excessively. i don't mind if a doctor recommends something but as soon as i say no thanks, i expect it will end there. we'll see...

 

[JaniceT]

Membas#1, I share the same sentiments. Would like to look at each vaccine before deciding if baby really needs it. For example, the paediatrician says that pregnant ladies should have the tetanus vaccine. However my FS/OBGYN says I do not need that because we live in the city area which is quite hygienic. I wish I could find a paediatrician who uses common sense instead of one who prescribes based on a schedule.

 

[membas#1]

Ditto. You'll find one, just ask around and look online. I'm not sure where you live but often there are websites out there that list vaccine friendly doctors by location--at least here in the US there are such. Perhaps you can find a resource online. I've never heard of a tetanus vaccine for pregnant women, but perhaps because i've had one in the last 10 years (due to a work related injury where i felt like it was pretty necessary).

In our hospitals they want to do a Hep B vaccine right at birth--we are declining that. I just can't see introducing anything to a baby that is in it's very first moments of life or in it's first months. We are also not doing the Vitamin K and Eye Ointment they give to newborns in the hospital. We'll have to sign a waiver but I'm glad we have the option to opt out.

 

[JaniceT]

Here too, at our hospital, babies are given the Vitamin K, heb B and BCG (for Tubercelosis) within a day of birth. We are signing a waiver for Heb B and BCG but will take the Vit K. My OBGYN agrees with my that it's a Little early for baby to have the Hep B shot anyways. But the paediatrician believes it's all vert necessary.

We don't have lists online to tell us which Doc is vaccine friendly. I may take one of your suggestions to go to a GP at a children's clinic instead of to a specialist at the hospital.

 

[Evian260]

That's not a very good doctor - a good doctor will present to you both options and include their recommendation. Don't let them push you into anything you don't want to do - it's your child!