1st Trimester

Just made first appt- not exactly thrilled!

So I had to find a new dr. and I am already a little turned off. My first appt. isn't until January 19th. I will only see a nurse at that time and then they will decide which dr. is best for me. Is this normal?

I was a little concerned that the appt. is so far off. I told them my hx of cancer, miscarriage, and high blood pressure. Still no change. Is this normal????

Re: Just made first appt- not exactly thrilled!

  • yes. most docs don't have you in until around 8 weeks
  • My first appointment isn't until Jan. 28th, so I feel ya! They do say it's normal for the first to be within your  8-12 weeks. Good luck!
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  • Most first visits arent until 8-10wk. So yes, sounds normal.
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  • Why would someone else decide what doctor is best for you?  It's up to the patient to do their research on physicians to see whom best will suit them.  Have you researched the docs?
  • yes, 8-10 weeks is normal. however if you've m/c in the past, i'm not sure if that changes things. i thought they'd want to see you earlier in the case. either way- congrats and gl. 3 weeks isnt too far off!
  • They said I won't see the actual dr. until 10-12 weeks. I am just concerned about my blood pressure. I have already called my regular dr., but it is still a concern.
  • My doc didn't see me until 8 weeks and the first visit was with the nurse practioner - so it all seems pretty normal...just call the doc's office often if you have questions/problems.
  • yeah it is normal. even with your history. they wont see anything but a sac if you went in now....which would technically make you worry more....this way they have the best chance of seeing a heartbeat.
  • I agree with Lopo... why would someone else decide what doctor is best for you?  I'm not sold on this practice.  Is there anyone local you can ask for a referral? A neighbor with children?
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  • It seems like every dr. office is different.  This is the way your office does it!  When I called for my first appt. I was told my normal gyn doesn't deliver babies so they assigned me another dr that I had never met.  At my first appt. I loved her!   She is wonderful!  Also, my office has a few drs. so I have future appts. (up through March) booked with the other drs. to meet them all as you never know who will be available the day I go into labor. 

    This is a long process.  If you don't like the dr. they assign you...ask to switch! 

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  • I have researched an I picked a doctor that I wanted to see. However, they have a clinic of 4 docs and once you are seen by the nurse they match you with the dr. that best fits your medical hx. I did not know this until I called.?
  • I was exactly 9W, 1D at my first appointment!
  • Yes, mine is not until 1/20.  Don't let my ticker fool you -- according to my LMP I am 5w2d (but I know I O'd late) - so I get to see her for my 8 week appt. 
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  • a nurse will be just as good as a doc for your first visit- i had a nurse practitioner for my 1st visit and she actually delivers babies- they are just as good as docs

    and maybe they said they will find the best doc for you cause they are going off your history- maybe they have different docs with various specialties that would better suit you?  just a thought!

    i would think you would go in earlier if you miscarried before though- so not sure about that- maybe if you call them and express your concerns again that you do not feel comfortable waiting that long because of miscarrying before?

    or if you don't feel completely comfortable after your first visit then switch docs!

  • It might be that they truly want to find a good match.  We are military, so I don't see a doc until 32 weeks (which annoys me beyond belief as another health professional).  Maybe you could keep that appt and also look for a "backup"?  You might find that you are happy once you meet the doc.

    Best of luck!



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  • Find a different practice! You are high risk!  Your BP needs to be monitored and your probably need to be on different BP meds.  What are you currently taking?  Also with a history of CHTN and prior pregnancy loss, they should follow you more closely.

     Is there no other practice around can you go to??  

  • Also make sure that whichever doctor you do end up seeing, you will need a baseline 24 hr urine for protein.  This is a must! 
  • This is normal. Most OB's don't see you until 8-10 weeks. There really isn't much they can do before that time.
  • I agree with PP... for my first pregnancy they didn't see me until 8 weeks and it ended up being ectopic on the verge of rupturing.  This time around, given my history, they saw me right away at 4 weeks.  They can't see anything on an u/s at that point but they drew my blood and looked at how my HCG levels went up and that was very reassuring.  They also found that my progesterone was low and put me on a supplement so I'm really glad they saw me early this time.  Have you ever checked out ratemd.com?  It helps to see what other people are saying about your doctor and their office.
  • This is very normal.

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  • I have done a ton of research. This clinic is known to be the one of the best in the area. They came highly recommended by friends and ratemd.

    They did put me through with the high risk unit. They said they will determine if I am high risk at that Jan 19th. Until then, I am too follow up with my primary doc for the blood pressure. ?

  • It definitely sounds like you need a high risk OB.  I saw a nurse midwife for my first appt and she set me up with a high risk OB for my first "doctor" appt.  But, my situation is a little different from yours (I have ulcerative colitis and was on a category D med when I conceived).  It sounds like you need to see someone earlier to get your BP and meds squared away.  Talk to your regular doc and see if they have any recs.
  • I also have a history of cancer and the doctors do want to monitor me during my pg for heart problems (as a result of chemo). That being said, they still waited to schedule my first app't until I was 8-9 weeks (or so they thought... it turned out that I o'd late and was only 7w3d at the time of the app't) and I saw a CNM for my first appointment. For the rest of my pg I will be seeing the office's 3 different OBs and also have to be monitored by a cardiologist.

    I sent you a PM, by the way.

  • Aldomet and Labetalol are the two BP meds we use in pregnancy.  We do not use Ace inhibitors b/c they can affect development of the kidneys.  But as long as your meds are changed soon then it should be ok. 

    Hopefully you are satisfied with this practice.  Just make sure you are getting the care that you need.  We like to see high risk patients ASAP.

  • If you are taking any meds then I would be sure they are safe for pregnancy. Other than that it sounds very normal to me. My first appt. this time is 8 weeks 2 days and it will be with a nurse. I will have a u/s that appt, but that is only because of my earlier losses this year. My first appt. with my dd was at 12 weeks and with my ds was at 10 weeks.

  • Based on your history, yes I would say that is a long way off.  I had a m/c and I just happened to have my annual exam the day I got my  BFP, but my Dr saw me right away in 2 weeks to make sure things were going as planned.
  • I don't know about the history but I'm 6 weeks and my first dr appointment isn't until Jan 30th...so I'm jealous that you get to go before me!!! :-P

     I'd say if you're concerned you can always call another office and see if they would do things differently.

  • I had a 6w appointment this past Monday, and it was pretty pointless...most of the time was spent in her office, asking questions and going over a packet of info with the basic (don't drink alcohol, eat swordfish, etc). She did a quick basic exam (typical annual visit stuff), but nothing really related to the baby. Just took some blood for initial tests. My next visit is at 8w, that's when I'll have an ultrasound and start all the fun stuff. So, even if you had a visit now, they really can't do much with you yet anyway....
  • yep it's normal. ?with my 1st preg. the ob saw me at 8 weeks, but my new ob schedules 1st appt. at 6 weeks. ?if you're not happy, keep searching for another ob who will see you earlier.
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  • I have my very first appt on jan 14th..its been a hard wait! Im so jealous of all the u/s pics everyone has around here. I have a million questions for the dr too...its not easy waiting!
  • My first appt isn't until Jan 15 and I will be almost 12 weeks
    Mom to Zi born 8.30.07 and Zo born 8.12.09 and Zaid born 5.07.11
  • I had to get a new ob/gyn too and they won't see me until Jan 13, which is about 9 weeks into my pregnancy. I already got the positive blood test done with the nurse but can't get to see the doc yet. I guess they don't consider you high risk enough? Maybe you can try calling again and make sure they're aware of your history. GL!
    Me: 44 DH: 42. DS born healthy at 40 weeks 8/24/09. TTC since then with no luck or ART. Surprise BFP 8/6/14... MMC @ 8 weeks 4 days... Miss you everyday sweet baby angel.
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