Services

Expecting Parents

Congratulations! A new child is one of the happiest and most rewarding experiences in life. Big changes are coming for you and your family! Try the suggestions and resources below to help prepare for your baby’s arrival.

Meet ACP

Whether you are expecting your first baby or your fourth, all families can benefit from a prenatal visit. This complimentary visit allows you to meet our providers and staff, visit our clinic, find out about office policies, ask any questions you may have about your baby, and to decide if you feel comfortable in our practice. Please complete the prenatal registration form prior to your visit!

After Delivery

ACP encourages your family to choose a Primary Care Provider (PCP). Your PCP will lead your care team to ensure that the care you receive at ACP is continuous and comprehensive. If you deliver at either Providence Alaska Medical Center or Alaska Regional Hospital, please notify the hospital staff of your PCP and they will contact ACP. A covering physician will provide admission, discharge, and any additional care your newborn needs while in the hospital. They will also coordinate with our team to schedule your newborn’s first well child visit, typically at 3-5 days of age. If you deliver at a birth center or home, please contact ACP within 24 hours of birth so that we can arrange for similar follow up.

To ensure your baby gets off to the best start possible, Well Child Checks are scheduled for 3-5 days after birth, 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 9 months.

ACP encourages you to schedule all Well Child Checks with your Primary Care Provider (PCP) to ensure continuity of care. If your PCP is unavailable on your desired date/time we will coordinate this visit with a provider on your PCP's care team.

Each Well Child Check in the infant age range will include gathering information about the family’s and child’s health history, physical examination (including length, weight, weight for length ratio, head circumference), developmental surveillance, behavioral assessment, and anticipatory guidance. Your child’s Provider will offer age appropriate advice and answer questions you may have.

Newborns will also receive hearing, metabolic and hemoglobin screening through the birthing facility where they were born. These records will be shared with your Provider.

ACP follows the screening recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics. We perform developmental, Autism, social and depression screening as appropriate.

Immunizations are scheduled for the newborn, as well as at 2 month, 4 month, and 6 month visits. Additionally, if your child is 6 months or older and you would like your child to have an annual flu vaccine, this can be done at a Well Child Check. If your child is not yet due for their Well Child Check a Nurse Visit appointment can be arranged.

If your child has additional risk factors or concerns, visits may include observation and additional screening. This may include visits to check weight, vision, hearing, hemoglobin, and observation of oral health.

Early Childhood lasts from 1 through 4 years of age. Well Child Checks are scheduled at 12 months, 15 months, 18-20 months, 24 months (2 years), 30 months, and then beginning annually at 3 years of age.

In early childhood, every visit with your Provider will include health history, a physical examination (including height and weight), behavioral assessment, developmental surveillance and anticipatory guidance.

Depending on your child’s age, your Well Child Check may include vision testing, an ocular photoscreen, developmental screening and screening for Autism. At 24 months, we begin monitoring your child’s BMI and blood pressure. If family history or your child’s health condition warrants, we may also monitor hearing, cholesterol, and oral health or perform additional blood testing.

Immunizations are scheduled at 12 months, 15 months, 18 months, and 4 years. Additionally, if you would like your child to have an annual flu vaccine, these may be done at a Well Child Check. If your child is not yet due for their Well Child Check, an appointment for a Nurse Visit can be arranged.

If your child has additional risk factors or concerns, visits may include observation and additional screening. This may include visits to check weight, vision, hearing, hemoglobin, and observation of oral health.

Middle Childhood begins as a child approaches kindergarten, and lasts until 10 years of age. Well Child checks are scheduled annually during this time period in a child’s life.

Each Well Child Check in this age range will include a health history, and physical examination (including height, weight, BMI, blood pressure, and vision screening). Each visit will also include a psychosocial and behavioral assessment, as well as developmental surveillance and anticipatory guidance. Your Provider will also offer advice and guidance as needed.

At age 5, children entering the school system are given a TB test if you choose to not have this completed by the school nurse. They will also have their last ocular photoscreen completed.

Based on your child’s risk factors, we may also complete blood or cholesterol checks, perform additional screening on your child’s hearing, provide additional TB tests, or monitor your child’s oral health.

Once your child reaches this age, scheduled immunizations should be complete. However, some children are on an alternative schedule and may have a few immunizations to catch up on. Your Provider will discuss your child’s immunization needs with you. Flu vaccines are available annually.

Adolescence begins at 11 years of age and lasts until age 18. Well Child Checks are scheduled annually during this time.

Alaska Center for Pediatrics is committed to partnering with families of adolescents to prepare for their transition to adulthood. As our patients mature, they will learn new skills to become more independent in how they understand and manage their own care. We will work together to make sure our patients are comfortable with each new skill.

Beginning at 13 years of age, visit times will be extended to accommodate health concerns with the patient alone and with family involvement. ACP will collect a family acknowledgment that outlines how we can best partner with adolescents and their families while still protecting privacy and confidentiality. We will request this acknowledgment be updated annually in the office. A copy of this acknowledgment can be found here.

Beginning at 16 years of age, adolescents can be seen alone without a caregiver. We prefer caregivers accompany their adolescents to visits, but in circumstances where a caregiver is unable to come to a visit – adolescents can be seen on their own. Written consent is required prior to the visit. Consent can be provided with a form submission here.

By 18 years of age, all patients will participate in their own care as adults. ACP will only discuss a patient’s health information with others if they agree. Some young adults choose to still involve their parents/caregivers or others in their healthcare choices. To allow ACP to share information with them, consent is required. Consent can be provided with a form submission here.

For young adults who have special health care needs, ACP will share with parents/caregivers options for how to support decision-making. For young adults who are not able to consent, legal documentation is required to share information with a parent/caregiver. Legal documentation can be submitted here.

By 22 years of age, ACP’s goal is to have patients prepared and transition their primary care to an adult medical provider. This includes sending medical records and helping you find community resources and specialty care, if needed. Records can be requested with a form submission here.

Each Well Child check in this age range will include a health history, and physical examination (including height, weight, BMI, blood pressure, and vision screening). Each visit will also include a depression screen, psychosocial and behavioral assessment, as well as developmental surveillance and anticipatory guidance. Your Provider will also offer advice and guidance as needed.

Based on your child’s family history and risk factors, we may also complete blood or cholesterol checks, perform additional screening on your child’s hearing, provide additional TB tests, or monitor your child’s oral health. If needed, sexually transmitted infection screening and drug and alcohol assessments are available.

During adolescence, your child will receive their final immunizations. Routine and recommended immunizations can be given beginning at 11 years of age, with some needing a series of doses to be completed. As always, flu vaccines are available annually.

Learn More About Transitioning to an Adult Primary Care Provider