Maternity and Childbirth Services

Choosing a doctor for your baby is another one of the many important decisions you will make as a parent. You will want to select a pediatrician before your baby is born, as your baby will have his or her first pediatrician visit while still in the hospital. If your selected pediatrician is unable to make a hospital visit, your baby can be seen by one of our in-house, board-certified pediatricians. They will oversee the care of your baby, answer any questions and provide necessary paperwork for your baby's primary pediatrician.

We can help you find a pediatrician that meets your specific needs:

• Contact St. Luke's Maternity Nurse Navigator at maternity.navigator@stlukes-stl.com or at 314-205-6385.
• Contact the St. Luke's Physician Referral Service nurses at 314-205-6060.
• Search the online physician directory.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents ask the following questions when choosing a pediatrician:

• Is the pediatrician accepting new patients? Is he or she covered by your insurance or managed care plan?
• What are the office hours?
• Is emergency coverage available 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
• Is the pediatrician available by phone or e-mail? If so, when?
• Does the practice have an after-hours answering service?
• Where are patients referred after hours?
• Is there access to pediatric specialists, if needed?
• What hospital does the pediatrician prefer to use?
• How does the office handle billing and insurance claims? Is payment due at the time of the visit?
• If your child has special medical needs, ask about the practice's overall orientation and philosophy about caring for special-needs children. Can it provide the support you need to coordinate medical care for your child?