BABY's FIRST VISIT

Our littlest patients are sent here by the pediatrician or family practice doctor because they listen to their chest and hear "a noise", known as a murmur. This article is written to describe a typical visit for you and your baby.

It is important to bring:

• Insurance card
• Physician's name, address and phone number
• Social security numbers,
• Emergency contact name and number.
  

When you have completed the forms at the reception desk, a nurse will come to get you and your baby and take you to a room where he/she will be weighed and measured. Your baby will be undressed completely(including the diaper) for their weight. Then you will go to an exam room where the doctor will talk with you about your baby and listen to your baby's heart .

The doctor may order some test before he see you and your baby. Test which could be ordered:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG): This test checks the electrical impulses of the baby's heart. This does not hurt. You may hold your child during the exam. Stickers are placed on the arms, legs and chest. Then we attached clips to the stickers. Please do not put lotion or oil on the baby the day of your appointment, the stickers will slide off. The baby may use a pacifier, or you may need to nurse or feed them a bottle to keep them quiet. We use bubbles, wind chimes , toys and books to entertain the baby also.
• X-ray: The doctor may want us to do a chest x-ray of your child. The registered X-ray Technologist and the nurse will take your child for the x-ray. She/he will be placed in a special seat especially designed for babys chest x-rays. The baby will be away from you for 5 minutes. A good chest x-ray is obtained when a person takes in a "deep breath". Therefore, when your baby cries, it is easier to obtain a "deep breath". After the x-ray, your child is brought back to you for cuddling.
• Echocardiogram (ECHO): This is very similar to the ultrasound you had when you were pregnant. This test can take 20 to 30 minutes. To get a good picture the baby must hold very still. Often our doctors will have the nurse give your child some medicine to help him/her. fall asleep. After the tests are completed, the doctor will explain to you the results of the tests and answer any questions you might have.

A letter will be sent to your doctor with the results of your visit at our clinic.

Read more about YOUNG CHILD's FIRST VISIT or ADOLESCENT'S FIRST VISIT.