Male or Female pediatrician?

[nbs2]

Clearly there is more to a Dr. than just gender. Stuffing pediatricians into a good or bad category just because of their genetalia is just as wrong as deciding whether to go to a Dr. because of their race.

That being said, there are broad generalizations that are inevitable. For example, most women (like my wife) prefer female OB/GYNs, even though there are plenty of men who are beyond outstanding. In the same vein, do you find that you prefer a male or female ped (and is your decision influence by the gender of your child?

You would think that this question would get asked, but running a search yielded nothing...so disappointing....

[momma_boo]

I will admit that I leaned highly towards female pediatricians when I was looking for someone for my first baby. Having had a male pediatrician when I was in elementary school - I remembered feeling awkward sometimes so I decided that if I could find a doctor that I liked who was female, that would be better for my girl.

I chose a fairly large group practice and did look at the backgrounds of all their doctors but really did look more closely at the female ones. I actually ended up choosing a female pediatrician who also happened to be Korean (I am also Korean).

I have never regretted my choice.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I honestly could care less for ds or myself. I have had both and at this point I want a blend of competency and a good bedside manner. The male Dr.s have had better bedside manners that all but one female Dr. (ds' pediatrician).

When I was little I hated this one male Dr. because of his beard. When I was a teenager I preferred a female. I grew out of that and base it on the person.

If ds tells me he is uncomfortable with his female pediatrician when he gets older then we will switch him to our male family practice Dr..

ETA- I am more in favor of a solo practice than the male/ female thing. I went with the only solo practice ped I could find on our insurance plan. I love being able to call in and talk to someone who knows me and my child. That didn't happen with the large practice we were with when we moved (ds 15-20 months). That is my major decision maker.

Beth

[schums]

All I want for me and the kids is a good doc who has a GREAT bedside manner and knows when he/she needs to refer. Gender doesn't matter at all. If the doc's gender becomes an issue for DC, I'll be happy to find them a same-sex doc who meets all the above criteria.

Sarah
Mom to Alex (3/2002) and Catherine (8/2003)

[LarsMal]

I found that for me (in those early days of first-time motherhood) I preferred to have a female ped. I liked seeing someone who had BTDT, knowing exactly what I was going through- especially with BF. For me, I needed some of the warm and fuzzies I got from our female ped's.

That said, I am now with a practice (b/c we moved) that has both male and female doctors. I figure DS will probably get to a point when he prefers to see a male, so I want to have that option.

Now that I'm a pro (yeah, right!) I don't have a preference, as long as they are giving my child(ren) the attention and care they need.

I will say this- I think it's important to find a practice where the doctors communicate and are on the same page. While I loved the docs in our first practice, they always contradicted each other and would question why one did/recommended something. I didn't like that at all- male or female!

[Lynnie]

I have two sons, and do not care if I have a male or female ped. Our practice has one male and two females, and possibly another pt female or two (??) and the male and one of the females are my favorites. To me, the most important thing is trying to have continuity. When they get sick and need alot of follow ups, and we are squeezed in to see a different doc each time, it is frustrating trying to fill the new doc in on what happened at the last visit.

[hardysmom]

We are in a large practice (6 docs- 3 women, 3 men) where you select a "primary" who is your usual doctor, but if your child is sick and neds to get in quickly, you may see another doctor. I have been very, very happy wiht this arrangement.

During the last 5 years (with 3 kids) We've seen them all multiple times and I find that when I have a choice, I gravitate towards some and away from others.

I think when kids are really little, the big thing is to choose the doctor with whom YOU have the best rapport, regardless of sex. As the child gets older, you may find that they are more comfortable with someone else, for whatever reason.

My son and one of my twin girls like the original female doctor I choose, on the other hand, my other twin girl seems more comfortable with men than women and likes one of the guys in the practice.

stephanie

[KBecks]

I have 2 boys and a female pediatrician. The practice was highly recommended by a few people and a male and female doctor were recommended, but the person who had the female doctor was more enthusiastic. After having worked with both, I feel like I click better with the female pediatrician I chose, I think this was luck. I also think it may be because she's a mother and I like talking to a woman doctor who has been a mom and understands the mom experience.

I have a male OB-GYN, and he's a great doctor. His demeanor is all-business, and I love having an all-business OB-GYN because I don't like a lot of small talk during my annual exams. I really just want the medical info and clear explanations. I also see female nurse practicioners and they are also fine.

However, I think that teenage girls may feel more comfortable with a female GYN when they are ready.

If the gender issue occurrs at an older age, we can probably change docs in the practice with no worries.

[lisams]

I have no gender preference when it comes to drs. We have a male ped. who is IMO top notch.

[hez]

We have both (large practice). Payton's primary to begin with was a female who was recommended by a friend using the same practice. At a sick-baby visit we saw one of the male doctors who bonded well with Payton immediately, so we've switched to seeing him for well-child visits. There are both men and women at the practice that we like and both we dislike. It has little to do with gender and more to do with personality and the ability to interact well with my family (parents & child alike).