The eighth or ninth months of pregnancy are the ideal time to contact the pediatrics professional you have chosen.

In that first visit, aside from getting to know each other better, you should provide him or her with the required information about the future patient. The pediatrician will ask you about pertinent aspects of family history. In particular, about illnesses in the family which may be hereditary or transmissible. Development of the pregnancy is another important point as well as possible problems during this period based on the diagnoses and opinion of your gynecologist.

For the pediatrician, to know the future mother, her personality, fears and doubts will be of thegreatest importance for his or her future role and responsibilities as health provider for the child whose care he or she will in fact share.

In the particular case of first-time mothers, orientation, counsel and suggestions from the pediatrician should help to increase her self-confidence. This will make her attitude toward her upcoming new tasks more positive and her future relationship with the child easier and more pleasant. The result is a better cared for and happier child.

Also, this initial contact with the pediatrician is a good opportunity to ask about all those practical things which are also important during the time after birth: doctors regular hours and professional fees, emergency calls and visits, reference hospitals in the area, etc.