does/did your OB order lab or bloodwork to confirm your pregnancy? also, a small rant...

amandanicole16

So my OB usually doesn't see you until you're 8 weeks at least, but when I called to set up my appointment I mentioned my previous miscarriage and the scheduler said if it would give me peace of mind I could schedule an "early pregnancy concerns" appointment to review my past history with the doc and maybe have blood drawn or an ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy.

When I got there today the nurse was totally rude. Once we got settled in the room she said, "what are you expecting from this appointment? You're so early, what do you want us to say?"

Uhhhhhh, what? She made me feel like this appointment wad a complete waste of time for everyone involved. When the doc finally came in, I told him this and he apologized. He also ordered bloodwork today and I go back on Thursday to confirm my hcg level is rising appropriately. Then he also scheduled a sonogram for next week. So I suppose not a total waste... Maybe that nurse was just having a bad day.

amandanicole16

I should also note that I'm 5 weeks today.

bananers

I'm sorry. I'm glad the doctor was nice, even if the nurse was rude. I hope she was reprimanded for her bedside manner. I had a loss prior to having our son and it still haunts me. I HATE the first trimester. I'm with a new doctor and while she didn't think it was necessary to do bloodwork (I suppose I could have pushed, but I didn't), she did agree to get me in at 6.5 weeks for a viability scan instead of making me wait until 8 weeks. May 20 cannot come soon enough. I hope your second blood draw shows doubling betas!!

EmXa

I asked my GP to do blood work to verify I am pregnant, she said no because HPT are accurate. I assume she is right since I took 3, all positive and still no period, I am 5 weeks 3 days.

MssyMmmy

I am 5 weeks also. I went in to the clinic today and requested hcg bloodwork done. The Dr. said he would do it but looked at me like I was crazy and said they normally only run bloodwork if you don't know when your last period started or if you have been bleeding. Not a fan of walk in clinics just for that reason, but I don't have a local family Dr. They always make you feel like you are wasting their time and I find that rude. Hope your future experiences get better!

amberlynnr7

My obs both made me do blood work but my midwife didn't. Every doctor has their own procedures I suppose. Good luck on your blood draw!

PreggoInTheCity

@amandanicole16 sorry that the nurse wasn't too comforting! Glad to hear you were able to get bloodwork done. I also had a miscarriage a few months ago and I go tomorrow to get bloodwork, so that is a relief since I'm still only 4w3d and think I'd go crazy waiting another month to get in.

Jamilla9

When I scheduled my appt I asked if I should be seen early because I had a mc in March. The midwife told me no, because one mc didn't make me higher risk. I also asked about a dating ultrasound and she said we should wait because there isn't much to see now. She was completely polite and respectful which your nurse wasn't. I'm sorry about that. That nurse had no tact.

MaMinette13

So sorry about that nurse!! I asked my OB via email if I could do a blood test to confirm, she said it wasn't necessary but would order it anyway. I really appreciated that she indulged me as a FTM

tuitwo

With my previous two pregnancies (one loss) I had blood work drawn in the early weeks to confirm that my HCG was increasing normally. I am at a different practice this time, so I'm not sure what I will have done. But I go for a "confirmation appointment" on Thursday to discuss any concerns with my OB.

WinchestertoPittsburgh

I just had my first appointment this Monday and they did a urine pregnancy test, but no blood test. The blood tests I had drawn were to check for other labs, and they are using ultrasounds to measure my EDD and to ensure that baby is growing. So. Like others have said, I think it's just however your OB decides to do it... 

lindenheart

I had blood work to confirm my first, but I didn't see a dr that visit. At my first dr visits, which have been anywhere from wk 7 to wk 14, I had blood work done for other reasons. I complete forget what they test for at the first appt.

I am so sorry that she was so rude. I am not a fan that most first appts happen so late in the first tri. That's a great time to meet with your dr, talk about pregnancy health, go over concerns, etc.

erintlyon

So sorry about the rude nurse! My doctor said they could schedule an appt at 6-7 weeks since it's my first and listen to the heartbeat, but they won't do blood work until the "big" app at 10-12 wks. Only one more week of waiting, hopefully it comes quickly.

RoxanneA

My ob doesn't do anything until your 9 weeks.  So when you go in she sits down and talks with you about family history, etc. and then does an ultrasound and then sends you for blood work.

Jenbug116

Mine does an intake appt where they do all the blood draws, pap if needed, etc around 5-7 weeks and then ultrasound after 7 weeks.

mosco14

Hey, don't feel bad...mine wasn't going to see me initially until the end of June which would put me between 12-13 weeks. And what do I know, it's my first pregnancy, and I don't know when your supposed to be seen. But I got to looking around, and thinking, so I called back a few days later and asked if it was normal to not be seen until you are 12-13 weeks and the nurse I talked to was like "um, no" so she got me in for the 20th. I still don't feel any different! The only symptom I have is a missed period!

somewhereinafrica

Mines an IVF pregnancy but I had IVF in another country so back home I'm with a regular doc. I had two blood tests to check betas and first scan will be at 5 weeks and 6 days. A little early but I live 6hrs from the clinic and had to due to schedule. I think ideally they wanted it to be in the 6th week.

So sorry the women was rude! I think maybe some people either forget what it was like or just plain don't care but don't let her deter you! You did the right thing by complaining to the doctor maybe he will take it up with her. We have to do what feels right and advocate for ourselves and babies..

mrslovt

What a terrible experience. That's the last thing you needed! I did have blood work done to confirm. That's because I had to go through a RE and take meds to ovulate and conceive. Glad to have it done but the testing also is nerve wracking and makes you doubt your body and hpt while waiting. Hang in there! Hope next appointment is better

hazel14rich

My OB confirmed my pregnancy with urine. But he couldn't figure out how far along I am, due to how early in my cycle I tested positive. (CD 24) so he ordered bloodwork to find out how far along I am. I feel like all doctors should do this... But that's just my opinion!

andrea0418

I only have one tube and ovary because of an ectopic rupture in 2013. My ob has me come in right away for betas then an early u/s to make sure the pregnancy makes it to my uterus.

Nfleszar

My doctor told me that she doesn't like to schedule an ultrasound before week 7.  The reason is that week 7 is the point where you should always hear the heartbeat.  So at week 6 if you don't everything could still be totally fine - but it obviously freaks out the mothers to be.  And she wants to avoid that stress on the mother.  Which makes alot of sense.

That being said - the day I found out she had me in and did a pee test in the office.  And then we talked about medications, foods to avoid, etc - more of a "ok you're pregnant" consultation.  But no exam or anything.  We're doing that in week 8ish.