So. Many. Appointments.

khochanadel

Does anyone else feel like their life since getting pregnant is just a neverending series of appointments you have to set up?

• Doctors (I have my OB and the perinatologist)
  
• Childcare provider tours/interviews (thankfully we are done with these)
• Childbirth classes
• Pediatrician interviews (haven't even started yet but I am dreading it)
• Doula interviews (decided not to explore it any further, because appointments)

My boss is really supportive and flexible but I still feel guilty every time I have to duck out of the office. For DH's part, he gets upset that there are so many things to go to, and so little consideration given for working peoples' time.

And I thought my appointments were too frequent when I was going through IVF!

Thanks for the rant

2.red.heads

Just wait until you have kids and they're in activities! I agree, lots of appointments. My husband definitely doesn't go to a lot of the appointments (mostly just sonograms). We're kind of 'divide and conquer' parents. I think when I found our pediatrician for our oldest I just went off of a recommendation from a friend I trusted (no interview first). The childbirth class we did (back in the day) was 1 Sat. afternoon, not multiple meeting times. I read a lot - felt prepared enough. GL!

proudparent2b

I definitely feel your pain. My boss is totally understanding, but with dr. appointments increasing to bi-weekly for 8 weeks after my last monthly appointment next Friday, and then moving to weekly, I feel like I'm flexing a lot.

Also, my doctor's latest appointments are at 3:30, so I choose as early as possible, but often don't get out and to work until around 10, which feels super late.

sillyfox

Add in a toddler with a cold that won't go away and my kidney stones (not actively passing them but being monitored by a urologist including ultrasounds of my bladder and kidneys) and I'm with you! Plus dentist and toddler well checks, etc. At least I have my daycare and pedi, but I never interviewed my pedi. 

LittleBitt

I was going weekly & bi-weekly through first trimester but just monthly through 2nd. Now that I'm going into 3rd they're hitting me up bi-weekly again which means weekly because there are 2 Dr's (high risk & ob/gyn) so it's never ending! Plus, now to do the hospital tours and birthing classes, and ALL the other stuff.

I need a nap.

swflJD

My doctor's earliest appointment times are at 9:00, and I always try to get those slots since the later appointments often don't start on time. Since I would have a long commute from there to work - which is so much worse this time of year (damn snowbirds!) - I've started working remotely on my appointment days. There's a nice cafe with public wifi around the corner from my doctor's office, so after the appointments DH and I usually grab breakfast before he goes on to work, and I take my laptop and just work from there until around noon and then go home and work from there for the afternoon.

Even though my company is super flexible, I'm too busy for any other appointments really. I'm just going off of recommendations for a pediatrician (if it doesn't work out, we'll find a new one), and we'll be using the daycare at my work (not opening until next month, but I'll be able to do a walk-through anytime after that), so no need for those additional appointments. I'm still undecided on the childbirth classes. Everyone I've spoken with who did them said they were a huge waste of time and money and that all the information they went over was readily available if you do at least a little research on your own. It seems like a big time commitment for something I could just Google or ask my doctor or mom about. DH said he's on board with whatever I decide, so we'll see...  

Lusitano8

Totally feel you - I feel guilty sneaking out of work at 4 to make it to all the appointments! DH only comes to major appointments or to meet with the doula. It's too much of a hassle to try to organize both our schedules. 

I don't see this letting up too much with LO in the mix needing his own set of check-ups.

jenashawn

Yes!! So many!! Between the OB, and my chiro, and the daycare search...
Luckily we've found a daycare. And we interviewed one doula and really liked her. We decided to hire her right away rather than interview a bunch more. (BTW she met us in the evening, so there might be some near you that would as well). 

For the pediatrician I just asked for recommendations on facebook and picked one from some friends I trust. We figure if we don't like her, then we'll worry about it after the first appointment. (We live in a big metro though so it might be easier for us to just hop around than other places)

JennyS86

Ugh and last night I started the nursery school process for our almost-2 yr old twins.  We didn't do day care, but from what you all have said, it seems like we will have to visit the nursery school to get an idea of the cost.  I might just go with the one closest to our home because it will help me meet neighborhood moms!