Please note that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are not currently hosting our monthly "Meet and Greet" sessions. Please call us after your baby's birth to schedule your first appointment with us. We look forward to meeting you and your family!
Congratulations!
Having a baby is one of the most exciting times in your life. Nothing is more rewarding than the privilege of caring for this new life and providing an environment in which both you and your child will thrive and grow. At Glendale Pediatrics, we share your joy and enthusiasm and look forward to the opportunity to partner with you on the exciting journey of raising a child.
Upon Arrival
If your baby is born at Adventist Health Glendale or Huntington Memorial Hospital, simply tell your obstetrician and the hospital staff that you have chosen Glendale Pediatrics as your child's pediatrician. Our office will be notified of your baby's birth by the hospital staff. One of our doctors will visit and examine your baby within the first 24 hours of birth and will visit daily until you and your baby are discharged home. If you are delivering at a different hospital, your obstetrician will assign you a pediatrician on staff for your hospital care, and we will see you in the office within one to two days after discharge home. Just give us a call on your day of discharge and we will help you schedule your first appointment.
Circumcision
Most of the doctors at Glendale Pediatrics perform circumcisions, both in the hospital and in the office within the first two weeks of life. We use the Gomco method, and we use local anesthetic.
Vitamin K
In keeping with the standard of newborn care, we require vitamin K administration for newborn infants to facilitate clotting. Without vitamin K, some babies will have catastrophic bleeding which can lead to permanent brain damage and even death. The preferred method for a newborn to receive vitamin K is as a one-time injection into the child’s thigh. This is routinely given to your baby at the hospital, right after delivery. Our pediatricians and the American Academy of Pediatrics believe that the oral administration is a far less acceptable alternative, and we do not provide oral vitamin K in the office. Please be aware that it is our office policy to require newborns to receive injectable vitamin K. We would be happy to discuss this further with you.
Feel free to explore a summary of the AAP position on vitamin K at healthychildren.org.
Vaccines
As pediatricians, we are firm believers that immunizations protect us from illnesses that are known to cause disability and death. We are happy to discuss any questions that you may have. If you're interested in reading more about vaccines, we recommend vaccine.chop.edu as an excellent starting place. Please note that we do require some vaccinations for our patients, notably DTap and MMR.
Birthing Center and Home Births
If your baby is born outside of a hospital setting, your baby will need to have an examination by a physician shortly after birth. Please click here for more details.
Again, congratulations! Feel free to visit the Newborns page to learn more about what to expect the first few days of life.