If no prenatal contact has been made, all of the objectives listed above can be addressed in the newborn nursery or at the first postnatal office visit. Although a sound therapeutic alliance can be formed at this time, a prenatal contact is advantageous in the event of problems in the newborn period. The concept of the group well-child visit can be extended to the prenatal visit. It has the added advantage of saving clinician time and expense. Participation by a pediatrician in a prenatal class provides an alternative setting.
Every practice needs to establish a policy on prenatal visits.
The services offered can be flexible and designed to meet the needs of parents. In some cases, a full prenatal visit is necessary. When appropriate for a particular practice, a policy on charges for prenatal visits should be established and communicated both to third-party payers and families. This policy on prenatal visits should be made known to local obstetricians and to prospective parents who telephone pediatricians to inquire about available services. It is important to encourage prospective parents to begin a congenial relationship with their pediatrician through a prenatal visit.