8. Thinking of Banking or Donating Your Baby’s Cord Blood? Talk with your healthcare provider about your wishes to collect your baby’s cord blood and discuss if he/she charges for this service. Obtain a collection kit from the facility you will be using to store the cord blood or the facility you will be donating to. Most cord blood facilities recommend signing up around your 32nd week of pregnancy.
Learn more about cord blood banking here.
9. Find a Pediatrician: Your baby’s nurses will ask you for your pediatrician before your baby will be able to leave the hospital. Ask friends, family members and other local mothers for recommendations and be sure to check that the provider is in-network with your insurance provider. Many physicians have Meet & Greets where you can talk with the provider and ask the questions that are important to you and your partner. This is a great way to see if your personalities and philosophies mesh. Don’t fret if you find out that down the road your pediatrician is not a great fit for you, you can always change providers.
10. Pre-Register with Your Birthing Facility: Pre-registering will help your admission go smoothly and will ensure you have all the necessary documents before the big day.
*Bonus* Will you Be Breastfeeding Your Baby? Visiting with a lactation consultant prenatally can not only help to answer any questions or concerns that you may have regarding breastfeeding but can also help to assess if there could be potential challenges that may need intervention. Since breastfeeding is a very intimate time, meeting with a lactation consultant prenatally can help you develop a rapport and help you feel more at ease.
Our Lactation Specialists are available to help answer all of your questions. Book an appointment today. We take most insurance so there is no out-of-pocket expense for you!