Here are a few things that set Des Moines Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic apart from other clinics. 

Continuity of Care

We come to the hospital within 24 hours of your child being born. And by we, we mean our pediatricians. Other places outsource this role to doctors who work at the hospital. You want your doctor to see your child directly following birth, not five days later, so your pediatrics office will have a complete medical history of your child from the beginning.

Late Night Worries

Your child might have croupe, colic, or a fall injury late a night. You may have no idea if it should warrant a trip to the ER, to urgent care, or a few hugs and back to bed. When you call, our doctors answers. The same doctors you see in the office take your phone calls at night, talk your questions and concerns, and will recommend to you some next steps. Seeing our doctors means you are covered around the clock, any time, every day. 

Strong Roots & Family Traditions

We opened the Beaverdale Clinic in 1958, and generations of Des Moines area children have come through our doors. Our first patients are in their 60s and 70s and many brought their children and grandchildren to our pediatricians. Thousands and thousands of families around the Des Moines area choose to bring their children to us, and tell us they wouldn't go anywhere else. 

Friendly Neighborhood Clinic

Those strong roots mean that when you come see us, you come to a place that feels like a friendly neighborhood clinic. Where the staff and providers know your name and are happy to see you. You never feel like just a number or a dollar sign, because we are not a mega-medical corporation. Many of our patients swtich to us after starting with a giant corporation. They find out they don't want to park in a huge parking lot, shuffle down long corridors, and feel like student in a 400 person classroom. Our patients park right in front of our clinics, open the door and see our friendly front desk staff, and feel like they are part of a family and community. Patients especially like coming to our Ankeny clinic. They praise our staff for getting them in and out, with no hassle, traffic, wait times, long walking times, or other delays.

Every year we have families wait until the third week of August to get in for a physical/wellness check. Schools and sports teams sometimes require them, and we strongly recommend them every year. Schedule yours before August to beat the rush. We try very hard to get everyone in, but save yourself the worry and come in during July!

Congratulations, you're a parent! Now what?

You have been discharged from the hospital and are heading home with your newborn baby. You'll remember that car ride home from the hospital forever. You'll drive under the speed limit, you'll be aware of every other vehicle on the road, and you'll check the rearview mirror about a thousand times. And then your family will arrive safely back at your home. What happens next?

The First Five Minutes

You'll want to remove the baby from the carseat and place the child in a safe location. A crib, blanket on the floor, or on your chest or lap are ideal locations. Be sure your newborn sleeps on the back and not the tummy. A good way to remember is always put your baby - Back to Sleep! And be sure to not fall asleep with your baby no matter how tired you are. You could accientally drop or roll over on your newborn. Avoid placing the baby on the couch, table, or other surface that could create conditions for an accidental fall. Remove objects that could cover the mouth and nose or get tangled around the neck while sleeping. Stuffed animals, pillows, decorative crib bows, etc., should all be removed. Double-check that you have the correct size diapers and are well stocked on wipes, cream, and onesies. Get out the camera because you'll want to remember these moments for a lifetime! 

The First Hour

You likely fed your baby during the first hour after birth in the hospital. You may even be starting to recognize the cues that your baby is hungry. Don't worry if you aren't there yet - you will be! The American Association of Pediatrics reports that newborns will feed up to 12 times in a 24 hour period. If your baby has been sleeping for three or four hours without feeding, gently wake him or her up and try to feed. Check out more information on feeding from the American Association of Pediatrics. And a quick note about feeding and weight - expect your baby to lose a little bit of weight in the first week, and begin gaining again in the second week. Don't worry - this is normal!

The First Afternoon

Decide ahead of time if you want visitors or if you want to enjoy the first day home with just your family. If you deicde to host visitors, kindly ask them to wash their hands before holding the baby. Instruct them on how to support the head and neck before they pick up your child. Don't move or pick up a sleeping baby just because a visitor wants to hold it. When the baby is sleeping peacefully, you get some rest, too! Be prepared to change wet diapers many times a day. In fact, it could be up to 20.

The First Evening

Your baby will sleep a lot during the first few weeks (up to 20 hours a day) so don't be surprised if you spend much of the first day with your baby asleep. Cuddle with your sleeping baby to promote bonding. When your newborn is awake, look into your child's eyes, talk or sing to your child, and smile and make facial expressions. Your baby is learning, changing, and growing every mintue, and it's a great idea to fill those waking minutes bonding and letting your baby get to know you.

The First Night

Even though your baby will sleep more hours than wake during these first few weeks, the sleep won't be continuous. Expect your baby to sleep for roughly 1-2 hours at a time. Be prepraed to wake during the night to feed and change diapers. The American Association of Pediatrics recommends against sleeping with your child at any age. The risks to the baby are high: a parent could fall asleep and roll over on top of the baby, or the baby could be pushed off the bed by a sleeping parent who rolls over. Start out your child's life with healthy sleeping behaviors to avoid unhealthy sleeping behaviors down the road. 

The Next Morning

Your first visit to see our pediatricians is toward the end of the first week; days four to six after birth. Call to make the appointment. Congratulate yourself on making it through the first 24 hours. Get ready for another full day of cuddling, smiling, talking, feedings, and diapers!

How to Select a Pediatrician - Pediatrics Clinic in Ankeny, Des Moines, Clive, Iowa

Whether you are about to have your first child, or are considering switching pediatrics clinics, here is your initial checklist:

1. Find a Pediatrician
2. Read What Other Patients/Parents Have to Say
3. Investigate Access to Appointments & Doctors
4. Determine Insurance Acceptance
5. Discover if the Staff is Friendly & Knowledgeable

Ask: Where did you go to medical school? Was your residency in pediatrics, or with patients of all ages?

Call to Schedule an Appointment 515-964-2159

As our young patients wrap up their appointments here at Des Moines Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic, their voices carry down the hallway, "Can I have a cookie?" The answer to that question, for 58 years, has always been "Yes!" 

Dr. Henry Corn, a founder of Des Moines Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic in 1958, handed out butter cookies at the end of appointments. It was part of his approach to take care of patients in every way he could. Dr. Corn served his patients by going above and beyond, as evidenced by the polio epidemic of 1950s in Des Moines when he would sleep overnight at Blank Hospital to stay near his patients. He would make house calls at night, complete hospital rounds in the morning, and practice his violin at the clinic until his patients arrived. 

He educated decades of pediatricians in the Des Moines area. To this day Dr. Julius Conner, who served as the Director of Polk County Public Health from 1965 - 2000, carries a small notebook in his shirt pocket as Dr. Corn taught him to do all those years ago. 

Dr. Corn was a remarkable pediatrician, musician, military serviceman, and community member. His colleagues and patients miss him dearly and remember him fondly. His legacy lives on today in our excellent physicians who take calls at night, complete rounds in the morning, and hand out butter cookies, at the end of every appointment, at Des Moines Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic.