First appointment not until 12 weeks?!

katiedid0907

With my first child my doctor wanted to see me around 8 weeks. I called a new dr today (old one left) and the lady told me she doesn't have an appointment available until mid-July. I will be 12 weeks at that point! When I asked if that was too long to wait for a 1st appt the lady was rude and dismissed me saying "not from my understanding. well you're not having any complications are you?" But sh e never even asked when my last period was to know how far along I am. Anyone else think 12 weeks seems a little late?

Mamabeagle

Every doctor is different, I would just call another. The first doctor I called said 10 weeks and the second said 7 weeks. Guess which one is my doctor.

baby0708

I would recommend finding a different doctor!  12 weeks is too far out!  I have my first US on the 15th of June (I will be 7w5d by then).  My doctor preferred that I wait until I was between 7 and 8 weeks before coming in.  Definitely look into another office....you don't want to put something so precious to you in the hands of people who don't even care!

EmXa

Nope, its totally normal to not see a doctor until 12 weeks, unless you have a high risk pregnancy.

I don't see mine for my first appt. until I am 11 weeks.

Brianna0915

I have a check up appointment at 9 weeks but won't see the doctor, my first ultrasound isn't until 12 weeks

Millie1984

Is this a large practice?  Can you request another Dr?

Unreasonable or not, I personally I wouldn't want to wait.

katiedid0907

No unfortunately she's the only one there

trishopkins

I saw my docotor yesterday at 8qeeks and a few days . Only because I'm stressed and they wanted to make sure it was okay and get the dating scan correct

Millie1984

katiedid0907 said:

No unfortunately she's the only one there

Hm, then maybe keep checking back to see if she gets any cancellations?

baby0708

I guess where I go must be a little different....my doctor prefers you to come in between 7-8 weeks to check on everything and to see the heartbeat and make sure the due date falls in line with the predictions.  Either way I would want to get in sooner than 12 weeks.

sck601

Mine is at 11 weeks with this baby. With DD, I wasn't seen until 12 weeks. Different Dr.'s have different procedures.

ChipMonster

I only go in at 12 weeks. It was the same the last time around for me too. If you're not high risk and you know when your last period was, they don't see a point in seeing you any earlier. Not sure how common this is but I know it's not out of the ordinary.

l4rk

Yeah, I understand why people don't love the 12 week wait, but I think it actually kind of makes sense. Most things that go wrong before 12 weeks are unpreventable, so whatever will happen is going to happen--medical resources in a lot of communities are sparse and need to be rationed wisely. It's a very pragmatic approach and not particularly reassuring, but it is logical.

Chelsey092

My first appt is at 10 weeks. This is my 2nd pregnancy and last time my first appt was at 8 weeks too. I am seeing the same OB and when I called to tell them I am pregnant they wanted to schedule me for 12 weeks. I told them I was almost 7 weeks (I didn't find out until I was 6w2d) and she scheduled it. She didn't ask me when my period was. I thought that was odd. I am supposed to be getting a call sometime before my appt on the 18th to talk about diet and stuff. I also had an U/S at 7 weeks last time and now im wondering if I will even get one.

Mamabeagle

l4rk said:

Yeah, I understand why people don't love the 12 week wait, but I think it actually kind of makes sense. Most things that go wrong before 12 weeks are unpreventable, so whatever will happen is going to happen--medical resources in a lot of communities are sparse and need to be rationed wisely. It's a very pragmatic approach and not particularly reassuring, but it is logical.

They probably don't love the 12 week wait because they just finished up the 2 week wait!

ryeamans

My doctors prefer to see someone for the first time between 8-10 weeks. However, the best we could do with their schedule for me is 11 weeks. I think there aren't enough obs in my town compared with the population size, so they are always very busy!

marely1976

My doctors always schedule the first appointment between 10 and 12 weeks unless you are high risk or having complications although around 6 weeks they do schedule an intake appointment with a nurse practitioner where routine bloodwork and other paperwork is completed.

megtripp

My doctor won't see me until 10 weeks, so I think between 10-12 is normal if you aren't a high risk.

MamaHolland

At my preconception appointment my doctor said relax have fun and make your first prenatal appointment when you are 6 weeks. I'm 6 weeks and 1 day and my appointment is tomorrow. They will be doing an ultrasound. My nerves couldn't wait 12 weeks. 6 weeks has seemed like forever.

shaybe90

I had the same problem. My first appt isn't until 10 weeks. I had two practices lined up but the first one only delivers at the one hospital in the area and this one delivers at both. But, still. 10 weeks! I'm biased tho because I'm super impatient. Just want to get in there!

claireloSC

I don't think there's much point in going before 8 weeks or so, because they can't see anything on the ultrasound or hear anything. I think the range is typically 8 -12 weeks for an appointment, but of course it's hard to wait! 

laschub

12 week kind of shortens that small window you have to screen for Downs and spina bifada, if you want to get that done

jamie61082

I found out Mother's Day I was preggers and I won't be seen till August 5th when I'm 16 weeks I think it's absurd to have to wait that long

Mamabeagle

jamie61082 said:

I found out Mother's Day I was preggers and I won't be seen till August 5th when I'm 16 weeks I think it's absurd to have to wait that long

This is a zombie thread. I would suggest calling another doctor, many have different timelines.

jennaonthego

My appointment is not until 7/16 and I'll be nearly 13 weeks by then. This is baby #4 so my doctor felt I did not need to be seen sooner.

enkb

My first appt will be Monday, at 11w3d, which has seemed an eternity to wait. I have had labs done fairly recently and saw the midwife a month before I concieved for a preconception visit, so I know there aren't any big concerns with me. More concerning than the amount of time to wait would be the reaction the office had to your request, I'm sorry you haven't had a good experience so far. If that kind of response from them continues, you may want to look into other options, even if they are farther away. We'll be travelling 1/2 hour + for each appt because we found someone we really clicked with.