Hospital won't release baby until a pediatrician is assigned.

Tempe Gilbert Hospital | 3-3-14 | AK

[AlmaKing]

My wife is about 2 weeks away from giving birth. The hospital contacted her today and told her that they would not release the baby until we have given them a pediatrician's name.

I don't know if this is policy or law in Arizona. I have started making calls, but am not getting anywhere yet.

Anyone heard of this?

I have other children and was never told anything like this.

It ticks me off because I see it as a threat and a loss of control of my child.

I can try another hospital, but I don't know yet if it will be the same policy or law. And of course my wife doesn't want to switch hospital and doctor.

[petitfour]

If you were in Tucson, I would tell you to use our former pediatrician’s name. When we moved there, I was a few weeks from having our son. I picked a name from a list and wrote it on my paperwork. I met the pediatrician for the first time in the hospital. We loved her dearly despite her being a liberal. She loved us back. It worked out great for us though I suppose it could have been a disaster!

We birthed another child in another state and had no pediatrician. We wanted to leave early. The resident pediatrician refused to sign us out. A pediatrician who was at the hospital stepped in and signed us out.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

If you get a pediatrician, be sure that they belong to the The American College of Pediatricians (ACPeds), NOT the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which has become a leftist organization.

In fact, it would serve you well to contact ACPeds to ask for a list of ACPeds members in your area. Otherwise, you may open up a can of government interference.

[kaila]

It is a liability issue. Hospitals have been sued for not providing followup care for patients post discharge. They just want a name so they can cross you off the list as a potential lawsuit. Just give them a name,and they get to fill out their forms. You can always change your mind later about the pediatrician you choose post discharge. But, you really should be looking into a pediatrician or family practice doctor now. You would need an appointment with them after discharge to check bilirubin levels for jaundice. and to check the PKU results- among other items. So, I would make finding a pediatrician or family practice doctor now as a priority. Even if you don't like their threats- the safety of your baby is the most important thing, and close followup post delivery is a must.

[Mark]

Make up a name with the phone number of the ObamaCare hotline. They WILL surrender.

[happyhomemaker]

We had a natural physician lined up but just used a general ped to come to the hospital and sign off.

[fwdude]

Sounds like it’s time to hire a mid-wife.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Don’t you have a pediatrician for your other kids? Just give the hospital his/her name.

[Cyber Liberty]

Yeah, that’s basically it. Do the bare minimum of what they want, and go on your way. I don’t think I ever saw my kid’s Pede of record, I never met the guy after we checked out.

[fwdude]

LOL!!! Too good.

Thanks for the laugh.

[trisham]

I hear you.

[Mears]

I think you’re making too much of this.

Give them a name,and have a happy,healthy baby.

.

[Slyfox]

It is only common sense to have a pediatrician for your child. You can choose one so get one. I don’t understand what the big deal is. The pediatrician is the one who will make sure your child is growing all right. Hop to it.

[the OlLine Rebel]

ROFL post of the thread.

[Rodamala]

I wasn't all that long ago that people were born in, lived their whole lives in, and died in the same house. Taxpayer burden = $0.00. Now there is a huge medical industrial complex sucking everyone dry. It's predatory... thriving off of people's anxieties regarding sickness, disease, pain and death.

My advice?

[JimRed]

Look up “midwife” in the phone book. Have the birth at home.

[momtothree]

Congratulations on the upcoming arrival of your little one! You stated you have other kids... do they have a pediatrician? In our area, pediatrician may not be taking new clients but most of them take new siblings. There is going to be a lot of stress, joy, etc.. in a few weeks. Find the name of a pediatrician. If you don’t have one, find a neighbor, church pal or someone to refer you. Most pediatricians come to the hospital to check the baby. People assume the OB/GYN does but that isn’t their specialty. It’s Monday.. so you can do this during this week. Good luck and God Bless!

[kaila]

Home birth can be very risky. If there is complications, the midwife cannot do a c section. No epidural for pain management, either.

[Wiser now]

The hospital will call the pediatrician when the baby is born and at that time he or she becomes the baby’s physician. The hospital is trying to protect itself from a lawsuit should something go wrong with the baby, as well as protecting the baby.
If you have other children, don’t you have a family doctor? I don’t understand why you would object to providing the hospital with your doctor’s name.

[tbw2]

Ask your family physician if he/she takes children. Then name that person as the child’s doctor.
Ask the OBGYN for a good pediatrician referral.

[theBuckwheat]

“Should” and “must” are two entirely different things. The hospital staff might have been careless with words. It is an issue that should be clarified in writing and outside legal help engaged if there are any questions.