If you’re pregnant, we highly recommend scheduling a prenatal appointment to get to know your pediatric office and prepare for your baby’s medical care. 

A pediatric prenatal appointment is different from your prenatal appointments with your OB/GYN or midwife. The purpose of a pediatric prenatal appointment is for you get to know your baby’s future pediatric provider, ask questions, and prepare for your baby’s care after their birth. It’s an important first step in building a trusting relationship with the provider who will likely be caring for your child for many years. 

A prenatal appointment is especially important if this is your first baby, if you have a high-risk pregnancy, have pregnancy complications, are expecting more than one baby, or if you have experienced a perinatal loss. If you are adopting a baby, a prenatal appointment also can help you prepare for their care after their arrival. 

If you are trying to decide between different pediatric offices, a prenatal appointment also can help you make a decision and find the right provider for your family. Our team at Pediatrics West loves doing prenatal appointments and welcomes expecting parents to schedule a visit.

What to Expect at a Prenatal Appointment at Pediatric West

If you are considering Pediatrics West as your baby’s provider, we are honored for the opportunity to provide the best care for your child. 

When you come in for your prenatal appointment, you’ll get to meet your baby’s future provider and see the office. We’ll cover some basics, like office hours, our 24/7 phone line, and how we use MyChart to give you easy access to medical documents, prescriptions, and appointment scheduling.

You’ll have a chance to sit down with the pediatric provider of your choice and ask questions about our practice and what our care will look like after the birth of your baby. 

Make sure to bring any information about your pregnancy, family history, or medical concerns. Your pediatric provider will review that information with you and talk about any concerns you may have or any special care your baby may need to receive. 

Questions to Ask at Your Appointment

You can prepare for your prenatal appointment by writing down any specific questions you have for your provider. If you’re not sure what to ask, here’s some common questions we get: 

• When should I schedule my baby’s first appointment after their birth? 
• Do you come to the hospital where the baby is delivered? 
• What is your position on immunizations? 
• What are your office hours and what if I need help on weekends and holidays? 
• How often will I bring my baby in for checkups and immunizations?
• Can I call my provider or send them a message?  
• What happens if my provider is out of town or unavailable?
• If my child is hospitalized, will my pediatrician take care of my child at the hospital? 

How to Schedule a Prenatal Appointment

Pediatrics West has two locations, one in Littleton and another in Wheat Ridge. You can schedule an appointment at either location through our main phone line at (720) 284-3700. The best time to call to schedule an appointment is at the beginning of your third trimester. This will ensure we get to see you before your baby’s arrival. We look forward to meeting you!