What to expect at the first OB appt?

liz4paws

Hi ladies! I'm in limbo land where I've graduated from my RE and am waiting for my first OB appt on Thursday. I have no idea what to expect - I'll be 10w1d. Do they normally do an u/s? Is it vag cam or do I finally get to keep my pants on? Do they start talking to us about Mat21 at this point?

For some wacky reason I'm extra nervous about this appointment and hoping baby is still okay since my RE's u/s. I've had the constipation from hell (lots of straining), DH and I got into an argument a few days ago where I got really furious and then felt light cramps afterwords (maybe coincidental?) and before that my symptoms were  starting to get intermittent anyway. And the last time I saw this OB, it was for my D&C so I think I'm associating him with disaster. Anyone have some insight for what I can expect and tell me that pushing hard when pooping and arguing with DH isn't harmful? Not that I like arguing, it just happens with hormone overload lol! Being mad seems to be the hormone flavor I get the most.

Thanks!

 

 

golfrgal

Take a deep breath and relax.  Pooping won't hurt LO, but do try to avoid stress when you can. FWIW, I was nervous seeing my OB as well, because the last time I saw him was my first visit to his office and it was as I was bleeding from c/p!

Different OBs do different things.  Mine hasn't given me u/s at all the entire pregnancy.  He sends me to MFM for those (very rarely...just the 16 week NT scan, 20 week AS, and I had another at 34 weeks to check on growth).  

At my first appt. we went over family history again.  I think he tried the doppler to check for HB and was able to find it, but don't worry if yours can't find it yet.  It's still early.  The nurse took bp and weight and urine sample (which she'll do each visit).  They did a blood draw for HIV and STDs and stuff like that (required by law).  That's pretty much it.  Pants stay up, just belly exposed for a minute for doppler.  As far as Mat21, I didn't need it because of PGD, but we did discuss testing and he did recommend that the MFM do a finger prick test at the NT scan for some sort of screening as an extra level of reassurance.

FutureMrsW9

At my appointment (approx 9w3d) they took all kinds of info about me and DH - standard medical stuff as if I'd never been to their office before, so it was a little weird (e.g. do either of you smoke, how active are you, occupation, etc.).  They took my BP and weight.  Transvag u/s - I think 10w is still a little too early to see much on a regular u/s, but you never know!  Mine also took a bunch of blood work, I honestly have no idea what she was checking for but they didn't find anything abnormal so that's good I suppose.  She did a standard PAP and breast exam.  Then I went in her office and we went over all of the available testing that can be done - I opted out of most of it other than NT scan, AS, fetal echo (only because I have an IVF baby), and a few extra transvag to check that my cervix is stretching based on my LEEP history.  I also asked about GD, since I'm more prone to it, and I actually have my first screen at 17w4d, so hopefully everything looks good so far and I can eat up!  Not sure if that helps, but that was my experience.  I've actually since moved on to a midwifery practice, and they did all the same things but spent WAY more time with me.  Based on my Gyn history and IVF history they recommended all of the same exact things as my OB, so I'm very happy with them so far.  AND they haven't made me wait more than 5 or so mins in the waiting room!  At my OB it's pretty standard to wait at least 30 mins then another 15-20 for the dr once they actually call you into the room.

JSM0801

I also had my blood pressure checked, got weighed (fun, fun), gave a urine sample, had a bunch of blood work done, and talked about family history. I did not have an u/s, but my ob gave me an order to have one done at the hospital. My pants did NOT stay on. I just wanted to give you a heads up that you might have to have a full breast exam and pap. I did and had no clue beforehand. I had just shoved in my mid day progesterone suppository before I went to my appt., so when she went to do the pap, she couldn't cause of the lovely progesterone surprise up there. So I had to go back a few days later and have it done again. Always something...

DagnyDoo

I echo that every OB is different.  Prepare yourself for a very anti-climactic visit compared to the RE though.  My first appointment consisted of: lots of paperwork (family history, personal history, etc) weight, blood pressure, pap (which they ended up not doing because I had a recent one on file), paperwork to have blood work done (RE had already done the infectious diseases and blood typing, so I just had to do a regular blood panel), and schedule my one and only ultrasound to be done through their office (NT and AS both are at MFM).  I honestly was pretty disappointed walking out, but then I tried to remind myself that I was just another pregnant lady with a baby growing and doing its thing in my belly.  The ultrasound tech who did the US a week later said no bag cam after 10 weeks, so even if they end up doing one at your appt your should be able to keep your pants on.  Good luck!  

DagnyDoo

PS regarding pooping: pushing hard isn't going to hurt the baby, but it will lead to dreaded, no fun hemorrhoids!  Especially the first trimester I had major issues.  My solutions (because I hate the idea of taking any sort of pill these days): add a fiber one bar to your daily diet (try out different times of day -- eating one at work did NOT go well for me!) and applying a cotton ball of witch hazel to my bum hole every night.  

liz4paws

DagnyDoo said:

PS regarding pooping: pushing hard isn't going to hurt the baby, but it will lead to dreaded, no fun hemorrhoids!  Especially the first trimester I had major issues.  My solutions (because I hate the idea of taking any sort of pill these days): add a fiber one bar to your daily diet (try out different times of day -- eating one at work did NOT go well for me!) and applying a cotton ball of witch hazel to my bum hole every night.  

OMG I already have the T-shirt! LOL I got these within days of my BFP. I'm still trying to find the right balance of Colace, prune juice, and tucks/prep H, but unfortunately I can't eat the fiber one bars (which lots of people have recommended) because there's gluten in them. I hope things ease up in the next few weeks now that I'm finishing up the PIO!

liz4paws

ThoseThreeWords said:

My first appointment I handed over the documents from the RE and got a t/v u/s.  That was pretty much it.  Then I got set up with a prenatal class with the nurse the following week.  I thought there would be more to it.

I feel you on the angry hormone overload.  DH and I had one of our biggest fights last week...over shoveling snow.

Thank Goodness I don't feel so alone now! I flipped out at him because he was switching lenses out from my DSLR to his and he wouldn't put the cap on and it sent me into a hormonal rage like no other. I have to laugh about it now, but my fuse is ridiculously short these days!

BzeetyD

I'm so happy you have to ask this question!!!

Our OB/clinic was and remain to be super understanding of our history/situation and have treated us with extra good care the whole time. So we got way more ultrasounds than we would have normally. I think our 1st appt was around 9w or so. We had a u/s and urine test, maybe a blood test and blood pressure and all that.

We talked about the Harmony test and if we should do it (given our CCS tested 'bro) or how we should handle things.

The next visit was at 11+ weeks and that's when we did the Harmony test.

Because I have an anterior placenta and my ute is tipped doppler was not reliable until around 16w, before then it was always a crapshoot and I knew that, so I tried very hard not to stress when nothing was coming up. Whenever it couldn't be found we got an u/s so basically we had one at every appt.

Hope that helps. Don't be shy about being demanding and reasonable to yourself and your anxiety level in your appointments.

I bopped in to the clinic the day before we "told the world" for a quick doppler check, because I needed reassurance. Hopefully your clinic will be as awesome to you as you need.

tryingyetagain

We had actually quit going to our RE right before getting our bfp (long story, but he was basically a pompous jerk and told us he was unwilling to do more for us because of my age - 42).  So we started out with the OB.  Had an u/s in the OB office at 5wk, 6wk, 8wk, and 12 wk appointments (the two early ones were because I had had a prior ectopic, the 8wk one was standard with our HMO, and the 12wk one was just because the OB is super nice and knew I had gone through four prior losses).  At the 8wk appt, they ran a lot of bloodwork and discussed my past LEEP and its effects on my prenatal care.  We were referred to the HMO's genetic counselor (based on my age and loss history) to discuss testing options.  We also got info on the hospitals we can deliver at, and classes available.  I was given a pap too.  It was a long appt, and I imagine the first OB appt for you will be similar. 

On the constipation issue, I had serious issues with my prior pregnancy resulting in DS, and with this pregnancy, until I finally broke down and talked to my OB about it (embarrassing in front of DH!).  She had me start with 100mg of Colace two times per day and a cup of coffee each morning.  It has been the perfect cocktail!  Sweet relief!  Although I swear my gassiness is worse, that's a minor tradeoff which I'm more than willing to make!  Good luck!