Expecting Parents
Congratulations!
You are embarking on one of the most rewarding journeys of your life. First time parents are our specialty! Gwinnett Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (GPAM) is here to help you every step of the way.
Choosing a pediatrician is a very important decision. We encourage you to join us at one of our New Parent Classes so that we may introduce you to our practice and help address any questions you may have. Our new parent classes are given by one of our doctors or nurse practitioners in all of our three offices. The class will last about an hour. We will acquaint you with our care philosophy, give you a tour of our office, review our office procedures, go over what to expect during your hospital stay, and help you prepare for the arrival of your new child. Come see what GPAM has to offer!
Once you have chosen us as your pediatrician, you do not need to contact our office. Make sure we are on your insurance plan. Simply inform the hospital prior to delivery that you have selected Gwinnett Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. If you deliver at Gwinnett Medical Center, one of our pediatricians will come see your baby within 24 hours of birth. If you are delivering elsewhere, you will be seen by one of the hospital’s pediatricians and we encourage you to schedule an appointment in our office within 2-3 days of discharge from the hospital.
Call 770-995-0823 to schedule your newborn visit.
What to bring at your first visit?
- A parent/guardian’s photo ID
- Your child’s insurance card (or mom’s if you have a newborn)
- Discharge paperwork/summary from the hospital
- The green slip from the state newborn metabolic screen given to you at the hospital
- Completed newborn history form and new patient form
Frequently Asked Questions from Expectant Parents:
When will my child be seen in the hospital?
We will see your baby within the first 24 hours if you are in Gwinnett Medical Center. We will examine your child from head to toe and come discuss everything with you and we will do this every day that you are in the hospital. If you are in a hospital other than Gwinnett Medical Center the on-call pediatrician will see and evaluate your baby.
Are your pediatricians “Board Certified” and what does that mean?
Yes! All the pediatricians at GPAM are certified by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP). The ABP is an independent, nonprofit organization whose certificate is recognized throughout the world as a credential signifying a high level of physician competence. To achieve board certification, pediatricians must graduate from an accredited medical school, complete 3 years of training in an accredited pediatric residency program, successfully complete a comprehensive written board exam, and possess a valid unrestricted state license to practice medicine. In addition to this, board certified pediatricians must maintain their certification with continuing medical education and successful renewal of their board examinations.
Do you recommend any books for a first time parent?
Yes! Please checkout our online bookstore for our doctors’ favorite books on parenting, certain illnesses and everything in between. A great book to start with is Your Child’s Health by Barton Schmidt, MD.
Any advice on breast feeding and storing breast milk before my first visit?
Breastfeeding and breast milk storage link
