Raising children would be a lot easier if they came with an owner’s manual. But, since they don’t, we provide the next best thing: well-child exams.
Dr. Gina Labovitz and our team at Ross Bridge Medical Center Pediatrics in Hoover, Alabama offer these physicals to help ensure your child grows into a healthy and happy adult. Here’s what you can expect from well-child exams at our office.
The purpose of a well-child exam
Children go through many rapid changes as they grow, so well-child exams are an important part of monitoring their development, even when they seem perfectly healthy. We use these appointments to establish baselines and evaluate your child’s progress at crucial stages of the growth process. This ensures they stay healthy and continue growing at a normal pace.
During each of your child’s exams, we discuss how your child is growing compared to typical developmental milestones. We also discuss your child’s general health, like taking proper steps to prevent childhood obesity, and we raise any concerns we might have.
In addition, these appointments are an opportunity to discuss other wellness topics that might be associated with school, family relationships, or access to community services you may need.
What happens during a well-child exam
Each of our well-child exam appointments start with us taking steps to make sure your child is comfortable and relaxed. We firmly believe that a visit to the doctor shouldn’t be cause for concern; it should be a valued relationship built on trust.
Your child’s exam is tailored to their specific needs and often includes:
- Listening to their heart and lungs
- Reviewing their blood pressure
- Testing their hearing and vision
- Examining their ears, eyes, tongue, teeth, feet, and hands
- Measuring their height, weight, and head circumference
- Capturing their body mass index (BMI)
- Checking their internal organs by feel and by blood or urine tests
Another essential component of a well-child exam involves making sure their immunizations are up-to-date, as outlined by the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Preparing for your well-child exam
While a well-child exam seems to focus on your child’s health, these appointments are also valuable opportunities for you to establish a relationship with us as medical providers. This ensures that you always have a resource you can rely on for trusted information.
To prepare for your appointment, we recommend making a list of any questions or concerns you may have in advance. Common questions for your well-child exam might relate to:
- Sleep
- Childhood diseases
- What to expect as they grow
- Safety issues
You can also find questionnaires online that offer helpful guidelines for monitoring developmental milestones.
To schedule a well-child exam, contact us by calling Ross Bridge Medical Center Pediatrics or booking online today.