First OB appt. at 16 weeks?

strmbreez

Hi all. I'm new here and very new to the idea of being a mommy (first pregnancy). I'm just wondering if there's a "normal" timeline for seeing an OB? I'm 7 weeks and the OB I was referred to can't see me until the last week of Jan. If that's normal, I'm okay with it, but a few people around me have expressed doubt that I should wait that long? Any thoughts or opinions welcome.

strmbreez

Just did the math again, so it would be more like 15 1/2 weeks....

cMichelle0423

I had my first appt at 16 weeks with my first pregnancy. I'll be 12 weeks for my first appt on Monday, this being my second pregnancy. And I'm seeing the same OB as last time.

cMichelle0423

If you want to be seen sooner, you can always try a different OB.

SaranJonathan

Not counting my RE but regular OB he sees all new patients between 8-10 weeks. You will be totally out of doing the NT scan

EmR22

With mine I had it between 8-10 weeks. Personally I would try another doc if they can't make room for an appt sooner.

strmbreez

Gotcha. I really like the reputation the OB I'm supposed to see has - I live in a smaller town and there aren't a lot of options, and he's been just about my whole families, most of my friends and coworkers OB. However, I don't want to miss out on something important by waiting. I'll give it more thought, maybe call another OB office in Sacramento which isn't too far and see what they say... Thanks, everyone.

Cosmolove

When I was trying to schedule my first appointment I noticed some places just book out quicker than others. The one I originally wanted to go to was going to do the same thing, I wouldn't see the ob doctor until I was 16-18w along. I went to another place and they got me in right away. I was 10w I think the first time I went in (:

I've seen them twice now already and I go back when I'll be just over 15w (I'm almost 14w now)

strmbreez

Dreamer, my mom suggested that I do what you've said, ask to even see a nurse for some basic tests and to maybe see if my regular dr can schedule an u/s. My family has a history of super high risk pregnancies. My mom had three tubal pregnancies, my grandma had multiple miscarriages, both had toxemia (sp?). I guess my worrie is that I'll miscarry and won't know or that something is wrong that needs attention and I won't know. Going to call my regular dr. tomorrow and ask his advice. For my bloodwork I saw the PA whom I'm not very familiar with (although, the good news was that my HCG levels were good, according to her).

kwend003

I don't have my appt until then either and I'm a FTM. All the women in my family said to not sweat it. Just listen to your body and take care of yourself. The baby has a whole bunch of protection you've built around it!

abirdd9

You can always choose a different doctor. 16 weeks seems really late to me seeing as starting prenatal care as soon as possible is what is recommended. Is 16 weeks what they recommend or just the first time they have available? If it is the latter then I would definitely be looking into a different OB/practice.

My midwife starts appointments as soon as you find out you're expecting, so my first well visit will be when I'm 5 weeks.

abirdd9

kwend003 said:

I don't have my appt until then either and I'm a FTM. All the women in my family said to not sweat it. Just listen to your body and take care of yourself. The baby has a whole bunch of protection you've built around it!

While this is decent advice, it's so important to have your blood pressure and urine checked, listen to baby's heart beat and many other things. Pregnancy can cause your body to do some wacky things. I'd want to know that baby and I are healthy about 8 weeks sooner than 16 weeks.

flerlgirl

Oy

strmbreez

Well, I emailed my regular dr and asked him if waiting until 16 weeks was okay. He had me come in today to start the initial blood work panel and scheduled an u/s for next week. He said after that, if everything comes back normal on the blood work, waiting until 16 weeks is okay. I'm going to ask about the NT scan, though. Hoping all my blood work comes back okay tomorrow.