Apart from an infant’s family, the child’s pediatric physician should be one of the people who new or expectant parents trust most. Through its Prenatal Meet & Greet program, Austin Regional Clinic aids expectant parents with planning for the baby’s arrival and pediatrician introductions.

“The first year of the baby’s life, we spend a lot of time together,” said Dr. Mai X. Duong, co-chief of ARC Pediatrics. “... Parents really need to be comfortable with the pediatrician they’re selecting.”

One advantage of choosing ARC is 24/7 medical care. If a child’s doctor cannot see them when they are ill or injured, a partner at any of ARC’s 23 locations with pediatric services can see the child for a same-day visit and have access to their medical records.

“We have labs and X-rays within most of our facilities, especially some of the bigger ones,” commented Dr. Duong.

Televisits, after hours appointments and 24/7 phone nurses are also available.

Expectant parents interested in the free ARC prenatal meet and greets have the choice of attending one of the group teleconferences—which occur on the third Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m.—or scheduling a one-on-one visit with a pediatrician in-person or by televisit.

Attending group teleconferences is encouraged because expectant parents are able to meet many of ARC’s pediatric physicians and choose the doctor they will partner with in the health and development of the child.

“I think some of our parents do get comfortable with a few of our pediatricians so that you don’t have to have just one—and that gives even more flexibility,” Duong said.

Duong said the group teleconferences are her favorite because expectant parents are able to meet physicians from the comfort of their own homes and get to see the faces behind the masks, which are required for in-person meetings.

Teleconferences begin with an introduction and initial information about ARC, then breakout rooms are created where doctors at each clinic across Austin and Central Texas are able to meet with parents in that specific geographic area. The goal is for the pediatric physicians to help answer any questions and prepare them for what to expect at the hospital and after delivering the child.

“The first few weeks of parents’ lives are pretty hectic,” Duong said. “... We’re at least able to offload a little bit of the stress for those parents when we lay down these expectations for immunizations and lab work and things that can happen in the hospital.”

In addition to this free service, Duong said ARC’s availability and access are what make the clinics stand out from others in the area to expectant parents who are choosing their child’s pediatrician.

For those interested in learning more about Austin Regional Clinic Pediatrics’ prenatal meet and greet program, visit www.austinregionalclinic.com/specialty/pediatrics.

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