Mommy Notes: Finding a Pediatrician for Munchkin (We Found Two!)

When I had Munchkin, V and I knew we wanted a pediatrician who practiced anthroposophic medicine, namely Dr. Cricket Palanca-Chen. But because she holds clinic in far-away BGC, we thought it would be difficult to commute there with a newborn in tow. Plus, I've heard that she is always, always fully-booked.

So after re-reading the super informative blog of Atty. Jenny, Chronicles of a Nursing Mom, we discovered that there were actually some anthroposophic doctors that were near us.

First on our list was Dr. Divina Hey-Gonzales. She is a family doctor practicing anthroposophic medicine at her own clinic in Kamias, called Centro Natura. If I am not mistaken, it is her clinic that supplies Dr. Cricket with homeopathic meds.

We made an initial appointment with her a month before my due date, to check me and also ask if she accomodated well-baby check-ups.

During the consultation, she shared with us the basics of anthroposophy, and prescribed homeopathic meds for me to help with my contractions and heal certain body parts associated with birthing. She also prescribed something to heal the trauma of loss.

What I like about Dr. Divina is that she takes her time to explain things and answer the questions that we have. It also helps that she's candid, and quite easy to talk with. Centro Natura is actually just a house that was converted into a clinic, so the atmosphere was relaxing. V doesn't mind sitting at the living room, because the Himalayan salt and crystal lamps there seem to relax him.

When we were finally able to bring Munchkin for his first well-baby check-up with Dr. Divina, her general assessment of him was good. So, it was only I who received more meds. Hehe.

Well, even if we were okay with Dr. Divina, V and I thought of giving the other doc, Dr. Girlmar Leones, a try, since she specialized in pediatrics. Dr. Leones was also recommended to us by one of our classmates in birthing class. So we made our first appointment with her when Munchkin was around three months old.

Dr. Leones is a partner at Clinica Austria in Cubao. She also is a consultant at the Emergency Department of St. Luke's BGC.

What I like about Dr. Leones is that she's a hit with my infant son (he almost always smiles or chuckles when he sees her), and that she gives us an assurance that we are on the right track, or for example, when Munchkin had a fever one time, she made us feel secure that our son was alright. She also sometimes lends books for reading, so that's a plus.

She prescribes homeopathic meds for Munchkin, such as tiny glass vials of echinacea (which is quite expensive, but effective), Nordic Naturals DHA oil drops (which, thankfully, is available in vegetarian form that is certified Kosher), and Guna Allregy-T, which is a combination of homeopathic remedies, such as apis mellifica and allium cepa.

While Dr. Leones mostly prescribes homeopathic meds to Munchkin, she still does administer traditional meds, like paracetamol, when it seems like the homeopathic meds aren't enough.

Fast forward to now. We still go to Dr. Leones for Munchkin's monthly well-baby check-ups, and to Dr. Divina for my check-ups, and to stock up on some meds for our home "first aid" kit. Dr. Leones says that once Munchkin turns a year old, visits to the clinic can happen maybe just about twice a year, or even only once, as long as Munchkin is healthy and thriving. And that is what we are aiming for. :)


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Dr. Divina Hey-Gonzales
Anthroposophic Family Doctor
Clinica Natura,
K-7 Street, Kamias, Quezon City
accepts kids and adults, but call first especially for baby check-ups
weekdays, call ahead for appointment



Dr. Girlmar De Taza-Leones
Anthroposophic Pediatrician
Clinica Austria,
18 Mariposa Street, Cubao, Quezon City
T-Th-S, call ahead for appointment
724-3242