[stephi1997]

Hi all! I haven't been able to get on here much lately, so I hope everyone is doing well!

I just have to vent - I am so frustrated right now. We are now searching for what would be our 3rd pediatrician. We left the first practice b/c when we chose them we didn't know what questions to ask and hadn't made any real decisions about vaxing. So when we decided to stop vaxing we learned that this practice wouldn't see DS anymore. No real loss, b/c they also weren't knowledgeable about any of DS's issues, alternative treatments and weren't really open to learning.

We found our second pedi through our chiro who also doesn't vax her kids. At first we LOVED the new pedi, but her office is hard to get to, her staff is beyond awful and since having her own baby she is just spread way too thin. She was borderline rude the last two times I've had to deal with her and getting an appointment with her is a nightmare. I haven't had to make any sick visits yet thankfully, but any "well baby" visits have to be booked months in advance. I had to cancel his last scheduled visit a couple weeks ago because my grandmother passed away and I was a single parent that week and too much going on. I haven't called to reschedule yet, but last time I tried to reschedule a visit they told me it would be 3 months out.

I just don't know what to do at this point. DS is my first, so I want to have a pedi on our team as well as our ND and chiro, and I wanted one we could have a good relationship with. I love the answers that this pedi gives, but as a person she is a bit unapproachable at least lately.

And of course everything is on me - DH just goes with whatever I want. Our chiro met another "vaccine friendly" pedi that she switched her kids too, but I wasn't as thrilled with her and her office when I met her. I think at this point, if I am going to switch it has to be 1000% the right fit.

I thought that well baby visits were going to be important to develop a relationship with the pedi, even though we aren't vaxing, but maybe I'm just wishful thinking now.

And to add stress, my sister is currently in labor with her first and I found out the pedi she chose (just because her friend chose them) is a major vaccine pusher and a HUGE fan of Gardasil.

[Martha83]

Oh UGH.....HUGS....we just recently had to switch doctors because of an insurance issue for one of our kids (Rogan)....I asked around to find one that was ok with the parent choosing. If I get scolded I tell them to shush...but I get a good vibe...a friend referred her to me and when I called to set up an appt for Rogan they asked when we last saw a doctor. I dont typically do well visits because it's a waste of time IMO, so I said "6 weeks"...the receptionist said "oh well he'll need some shots then, huh" I said "actually no, we dont vaccinate"...she repeated it to me and I said nope, and she said "ok". I hope that is it. She took it really well I would think if it were going to be an issue I'd have heard something in her voice....

Anyway. HUGS....Also GRR and HUGS about your sister. Do you know where she stands? You might just tell her that...say "I'm ok with whatever you choose as long as you make an informed choice and have done your research...it's your baby, your choice...however...I think you should know that the pedi you chose is VERY against parental choice....it's their way or the highway....I think it would be in your best interest to look for a more open minded doctor" ???

[stephi1997]

Thanks Martha! I just want a dr who respects my choices and role as parent. I think we'll stay with our current pedi for now. I'll still ask around and look into other offices, but I'm not going to rush into switching.

My sister is on the fence with vaxing, I think she wants to believe it's all safe and good and protective but she doesn't want to really get into researching it. My niece was born yesterday - so healthy and beautiful! I already feel so protective of her lol. I LOVE your statement - thank you! I think when she is home and settled I will talk to her. She hasn't even met the pedi she chose - she had an appointment to interview him but went into labor a couple weeks early. I hope she will at least be open to hearing me. She hasn't said anything about us not vaxing.

[mgm78]

good advice given. my good friend/running partner had a baby and prior to the birth asked about vaxing and borrowed some books (like Dr Sears, etc) and then her ped said "vax or the highway" and they fully vaxed. sigh.

good luck with your ped search. we go to a family dr, so you may want to look for a family dr not exactly a ped.

[Martha83]

I've ONLY ever used a family doc...the ONE time we had ONE appt with a pedi....she was a vax nazi

[wolfybaby]

i know how the search for a good doc goes.. my abigail hasnt had a "well visit" since she was 3 weeks old and she is 4.5 months now! its bad, i know, but its not like shes coughing up blood or breathing funny, so im not worrying to much about finding a doctor fast.
i also know how the being protective over familys babies go, too! my cousin is 32 weeks pregnant with her first and although we come from a vaccine-free family, i had to make sure she wasnt going to vax! luckily she is easy to talk to and open-minded so there is no doubt that she wont vax. but the pediatrician she picked is pro-vaccine [but she said she was fine with her not vaxing, but still insisted on giving her a bunch of articles and said she will have to sign a refusal waiver..ugh].

my cousin is a little bit of a pushover, so i hope the pediatrician doesnt attack her when shes got her alone. my mother and i went with to interview her so she probably felt outnumbered and bit her tongue then. hoping thats not the case.