Expecting a baby certainly is an exciting time. Cloths, books, cribs and car seats fill the seemingly endless list of items to have handy once the baby is born. At the same time, choosing the right Birmingham pediatrician is one of the most important decisions to make in preparation of your baby’s arrival.

If you are expecting a baby, contact one of our Birmingham Pediatricians today.

	Did You Know?
	Pediatricians numbers on the rise The number of pediatricians in the United States rose by 140 percent between 1978 and 2000, while the number of children ages 14 and under rose more slowly. As a result, the number of pediatricians per 100,000 children aged 14 and younger more than doubled in that period, from 49.8 to 106.2 pediatricians.

When is the best time to choose a Birmingham Pediatrician?

The best time to start looking for your baby’s caretaker is about seven to eight months into your pregnancy. This should give you enough time to schedule appointments with personal referrals and make a choice based on logistics and individual philosophy of care.

What is pediatrics?

Birmingham Pediatricians are physicians dedicated to the physical, emotional and social health infants and young people. Pediatricians perform physical health examinations as well as preventive medicine and health practBirminghamices. Routine performances for pediatrics include infectious diseases, measles, mumps, chicken pox and meningitis. Additionally, Birmingham pediatricians are concerned with many other matters that affect your child’s well being, such as:

• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Pinkeye
• Asthma
• Acne

	State Rankings For the Infant Mortality in Alabama
	Statistical abstract of infant mortality in the United States: this ranking is based on 1 represents deaths of infants under 1 year old per 1,000 live births, by place of residence and excludes fetal deaths. in Alabama Rate \1 9.4 Rank 4 Source: census.gov

Hot Topics in pediatrics include:

• Allergy and Immunology
• Developmental and Behavioral
• Gastroenterology
• Hematology/Oncology
• Infectious Disease
• Neonatology
• Neurology
• Urology

Obviously you want to choose the pediatrician that is best suited for you and your child’s needs. Deciding which Birmingham pediatrician you will trust with your child’s health therefore ought to be handled carefully and diligently. In order to make the most educated choice, check the provider’s educational background and ensure that he/she has had special training in pediatrics. If that is the case, you should consult the website of Administrators in Medicine to find out whether there have been any charges filed against that particular physician. At the same time, make sure that the practice is easy to contact in case of an emergency and monitor whether your call is handled promptly and courteously. Ensure that the practice offers all necessary equipments for x-rays etc and make certain that the atmosphere is child-like and reassuring.

Usually, your common sense will be able to let you know promptly whether a certain Birmingham pediatrician is suited for your child’s needs. Don’t compromise when it comes to your baby’s physician and don’t settle for a practice even though you may not have a good feeling from the beginning.

If you have any questions about pediatrics, if you need special medical attention or if you would like to speak to a professional, contact one of our Birmingham Pediatricians today.

	Birmingham Audio & Video
	SIDS Recommendations Revised Audio, RM, 48 Kbps, 4:01:00 AM, 10/25/2005 Reporter Richard Harris reports on the nation's leading group of pediatricians on a new set of guidelines regarding Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Source: National Public Radio

	Birmingham External Sites
	ATSDR - Healthy Children--Toxic Environments [April 199 Alabama Department of Public Health. 1991. Child lead exposure study, Leeds, Alabama: final report. Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Servic Building Community Collaboration in Alabama: The Health ... in Alabama: The Healthy Couples, Healthy Children Project (Workshop 28) ... Auburn University, AL. Alicia Lukie The Children's Trust Fund of