Expecting? Here's Everything You Need to Know
Congratulations! Having a baby and becoming a parent is an incredibly rewarding
and humbling experience. We consider ourselves blessed to be able to share in
this experience with you. Our desire is to make this experience as easy and
stress-free as possible. On this page you can find out what you need to know
about our practice and how things work when you have a baby. But more
importantly, please visit the health information section of our site to get
answers to your medical questions. We have a entire section dedicated to the
health of your newborn, including a great deal of information on breastfeeding.
Prenatal Visit
We encourage you to schedule a free prenatal visit with Dr. Pulliam. You can see
our office, meet our doctor and staff, and ask any questions you might have. You
will also receive a copy of our newborn book free of charge.
Registering with Our Practice
You do not need to do anything in particular to register with our practice
before your baby arrives. Just bring your insurance information and the baby's
hospital discharge paperwork with you to your first visit.
At the Hospital
The hospital will ask you who the baby's doctor is. If you are delivering at
Henry Medical Center and list us as the baby's doctor, then the hospital will
call us when the baby is born, and we will see the baby within 24 hours of
delivery. If you are delivering at another hospital, the pediatrician on call
that day will see your baby, unless you designate another pediatrician in the
area and on staff that you happen to know. Be sure to visit the
child health section of our website for
detailed medical information on what happens with your baby at the hospital.
This information is also covered in our newborn book.
First Visit
Your baby's first visit to our practice should be within 1-3 days after leaving
the hospital. If someone at the hospital tells you one week or two weeks, they
are incorrect and are not following current guidelines. We agree with the
current guidelines and want to see your baby within 3 days of discharge, and
sooner if there is jaundice, breastfeeding problems, or any other concerns or
questions.
New to Our Practice
If you are new to our practice, you may want to visit our forms and policies
section to familairize yourself with how our office works. You also may want to
visit our FAQ page for answers to the most commonly asked questions.
Insurance Considerations
Newborns are usually covered under their mother's insurance for the first 30
days. You must contact your employer to get the baby added before he/she is 30
days old or your baby could be without coverage. We accept most insurance plans;
an updated list is here on our website.
Caring for your Newborn
Comprehensive information about caring for your newborn, everything from feeding
to rashes, can be found on the child health
section of our website.