First Tri Question- What was your first OB consult like?

LO95

I don't know what to ask at a "normal" OB's office.

I don't want to sound like a drama queen, but chances are these people won't be used to an IVFer.  My OB is booked (unfortunately #1 in the city comes with a price...) and so I'm meeting with the CNP for an initial consult.  I assume this will  be the "eat right, don't smoke" conversation that they probably have with normal fertiles, but does anything else happen at these kind of appointments?  Anything I should ask?  Tell?  

kmc84

My OBs office orders labs, pee in a cup, physical exam, one on one chat to go over all the do and do nots of pregnancy. They also do an u/s to date the pregnancy even though we did IVF. It's nice to see baby though!

They will do a pap if you're due and a pelvic exam. I refused pap an pelvic this time and with dd because my pap was still current and I didn't want the pelvic to cause any cramping or bleeding that I would worry about.

southernyankeegirl

It's amazingly boring, and a bit shocking to go from being an RE patient to a normal boring pregnant lady.

They took my weight, had me pee in a cup, they took some blood, they told me to take prenatals (and seemed happily surprised that I was already on them - guess that's not normal?), told me not to drink or smoke, did a pap.  That's about it!

Most appointments since then have involved stepping on a scale, peeing in a cup, and maybe having them measure my tummy or a cervical exam (since I've had contractions).

LO95

Hmmmm.... I suppose the greatest difference will be the lack of pap?  I would assume a CPN doesn't do those, but I honestly have no idea.

intheplanningstage

Mine new that it was my 3rd pregnancy (although I never 'made it to them' with the first 2 losses). I peed in a cup, they checked my blood pressure, and did a dating sonogram. Oddly enough, no conversations about how to 'act' while pregnant. No discussion of food, drinks, etc. Maybe they knew I was going to behave. lol They did bloodwork to check my HCG and progesterone but only because I requested it. At my 11 week check up (that was right about 7 weeks) they did the oh so fun pap smear. 

weansworld09

Peed in a cup (have to every time I go during pregnancy), checked my weight & blood pressure, had a vaginal ultrasound done, tons of blood was drawn, and they gave me a baggy full of information, coupons, etc.  I am due for a pap, but my OB said she wanted to wait until postpartum, which was fine by me!

They did not mention anything regarding safe eating/no smoking/no drinking.  She did discuss the NT scan & asked us for any family history.  She gave us the order to have the NT scan done (stated it was totally optional, but that most people have it done), and that was pretty much the extent of our first visit. 

Milagros315

My first appointment was with the CNP as well. That's standard at my OB's practice. 

Mostly we just went through my medical history. She checked my weight and blood pressure and did a pelvic exam. She also sent in the order for the NT scan to be scheduled. And a pee test - always a pee test.

They will probably want to see all of your medical records so if you can get those before your appointment that would be great. I didn't have to repeat a lot of things (pap, blood type, infectious disease testing) because it had already been done prior to my IVF cycle. 

Most doctors will tell you that, in general, an IVF patient is no different from any other patient. Of course there are special circumstances but I don't think there is a whole lot they will do differently simply because we've conceived through IVF.

xc1148

Ask anything you want to ask. You're "normal" now, so they aren't going to give you special treatment unless you ask or something comes up and they want to take another look.

Assuming you're healthy/low risk, expect your visits to be short. Mine are mostly "everything's good..questions?" then i ask 2 questions that i wrote down and then i leave. It takes a while to get used to...the hardest part will be your first 4 week wait between appointments. Try and relax and if you're doctor isn't worried, you shouldn't be worried.