First Appointment

caribbeanmama-2

Okay ladies, When is your first appointment?  Do you have a list of questions ready for your doctor?  Are you going with the traditional OB doctor or Midwife?

Bonbonpaw

I had my first appointment yesterday with my OB. I've been through this a few times so no questions just looking to see if this pregnancy will stick. Had ultrasound done but too early for heartbeat but Dr said most likely will be able to see the heartbeat very soon, so he's going to see me this Friday. 

kghusker1003

My first appointment is on 11/21, I will also have an ultrasound.   I'm going to stick with my OB because  A: I love him. B: This will be my 3rd c-section. 

I have no questions for him so far, but this isn't my first rodeo. I think if I do have any it will be about having another surgery. 

caribbeanmama-2

My first appointment is Monday with my midwife.  I'm so freaking nervous!  I have to decide when to do the early ultrasound by then.

I'm starting to work on my list of questions - a lot fewer this time around since I had DS just last July.  Mainly I want her to give me the OK to run a 10k at the end of the month given that it is more miles than I currently run so it would technically count as increasing my activity. DH says I shouldn't run it - we signed up months ago before I knew I was pregnant.  Of course I care about his opinion - he's nervous - but I feel like having the event to look forward to would help calm my mind and keep me focused and help me feel a bit more like myself.  I haven't been able to run much since I had DS1 even though I kept running through the 6 month mark when I was pregnant with him.

kat0607

My first appointment is 11/22! I'm pretty nervous but I'm a FTM so all of this is very new and scary/exciting. I need to start writing down my questions! 
@Cait32 I'm considering a birthing center too, and would like to take a tour of ours. The only thing that concerns me is that it's in a busy part of the city, so if there's an emergency or I'm in labor coming from home, it would be a rough commute. God forbid I'm laboring in rush hour traffic. 

pepper16-2

My first appointment is 12/1 for the US, but today the clinic offered a "Healthy Pregnancy Class" which was a great way to get the basics down - they also gave us a great book for free and some pamphlets with useful cheat sheets about medication, nutrition, exercise etc... So that answered a lot of my questions and got MH and I on the same page and much less stressed about waiting a month for the 8 week US (which previously felt just wayyyyy too far away!!). 

manillabar

Our first appointment is next Thursday the 10th, and then my 8 week US is on the 21st.  I'm secretly hoping they'll do a US on Thursday too but I don't know if they will.  I'm going with an OB, I saw her earlier this year for my pap and I really like her. Unfortunately she won't be the one I'm seeing on the 21st because of my schedule but after that I'm hoping to schedule as many of my other appointments with her as possible 

Tallahassee

First appointment is 11/16.  We are going with midwives again this time. My first pregnancy ended with a planned csection (DD was footling breech and wouldn't turn) so I'm hoping we can discuss the possibility of trying for a vbac this time. 

Cynth0104

My first appointment is 11/30 (my 8 week appointment). No questions at this time. Going with an OB. My insurance changed since hVing my DS so this will be a new OB for me. Hopefully i
like her! 

mslynn2012

Well I had my annual pap last Tuesday (4w2d) and they confirmed my pregnancy. Tried to find something on the US, but it was still too soon. My first official prenatal appointment is 11/15. We will have a dating US and go over my lab work (I have to get blood drawn prior to the appointment so we can discuss it). I will also schedule my genetic tests then (I'll be 35 when baby comes, so no amnio, but that other test instead). 

lilyaster

I'm going for an early u/s at 6 weeks because I've had several losses.  And I'm "old" now.  But normally my office won't see you until 9-10 weeks.

AdaByron

My first appointment is 11/22. I'll ask for a dating scan, but they'll probably have me come back a week or two later for that because it's more accurate in the 9-11 week range. Besides dating, the only question I have is whether I should be doing anything different because of my history of gestational diabetes. 

peachy13

First appointment (with US) is on 11/15 and I will be 7 weeks 2 days by then. Going to my regular OBGYN who I like a lot. My last appt with her was an annual check up over the summer right before we were TTGP and she gave me calm, great advice. 

I am a FTM so definitely nervous, but I'm so excited too. DH is coming to the US and I'm so excited to hear the heartbeat with him. We are waiting for this appointment before telling our families on Thanksgiving, so I really can't wait for it to be here! 

star_beagle

Since I was "moved" to a fertility center and am seeing an RE, I won't see my actual OB until 12/12. My RE is going to start the bloodwork and do my first U/S (somewhere around 6w2d). I do get to go every two weeks until I "graduate" to my OB, which is somewhere around 8 to 10 weeks.

MimoCa

I'm anxiously waiting for an u/s on 11/15. Then if all is well I go upstairs to set up an appointment with the OB department. Oh boy.....

thatcma

I have my visit on 11/28. It is 3 appointments wrapped into one. I am getting my first US, pregnancy education (since I am a FTM), and meeting with a midwife since they will be taking care of my pregnancy.

The appointment feels a million miles away and I am so anxious for it to just be here.

MimoCa

@osucma because it is a million miles away lol. I feel you on that wait! Urggggg.

kat0607

@osucma is the ultrasound standard for your first visit? I was researching the prenatal care plan from my provider, and it seems like they only offer a dating ultrasound if you don't know when your last menstrual period was. But I definitely would like to at least hear the heartbeat, and the next ultrasound seems to be offered between 14 - 20 weeks. 

thatcma

@kat0607 At that first appointment I will be 8W5D. They scheduled the US without me asking, so I assume it is normal practice since they would not let me see them before the 8 week mark.

KM2J

@kat0607 - Yes, you should get an ultrasound relatively soon at the first or second visit.  I am pretty sure it is standard procedure (although I could totally be wrong!) to ensure a healthy pregnancy, date the pregnancy, and look for a heartbeat.   You will get another ultrasound usually at 18 - 22 weeks to ensure proper development of major organs, etc.

AFM - I am scheduled for an ultrasound 11/15.  We underwent IVF and transferred 2 embryos, so I am anxious to see if we have one or two littles.  I don't really have a preference and will be happy with whatever.  Appointment feels like forever away, but it should go fast.  I don't have a lot of questions since this is not my first baby.  Just anxious to see a heartbeat or two. 

AdaByron

IME, the only ultrasound that is standard is at 20 weeks. Any others vary greatly by doctor. It might also depend on your insurance. My doctor would normally only do one at 20 weeks. Last time I had a dating scan because I was sure I ovulated over 10 days later than normal. Then I had an extra one after the 20 week u/s because I had gestational diabetes. I kind of expect this one to do the same. But for a normal healthy pregnancy with no questions about EDD, you may only get one ultrasound. I actually have a friend who didn't find out she was having twins until 20 weeks because there was never a reason to do an u/s.

@kat0607 you will be able to hear the HB with a doppler (maybe not at the first visit, but it happens pretty early) and they can do that right in the exam room. On early u/s, there's really nothing to see, and the HB is just a sound wave. 

realgoodthing

I'm going in 12/6 for my first U/S and OB appointment! I'm very nervous, as that's the appointment where they found the MMC last time, but trying to stay positive even though it's scary!

BabyBuckWay

I had my first apt/ultrasound on Monday.  Saw the Gestational Sack, but nothing inside yet.  Still too early they said.  I go back Monday the 14th.  The wait is killing me!!

mamadcb

I go in 11/21 for my "pregnancy confirmation appointment" but will only be 6.5 weeks at that time. My last pregnancy I started with a different insurance/OB and didn't go in until 8 weeks, so I'm not sure exactly what to expect this time. 

babydance-2

@leilac I completely empathize with you.  With my first pregnancy the first ultrasound was when we found out that the pregnancy was not viable.  I did go on to have a perfectly healthy DS and conceived him just two months after my MC.  It's still hard while you know that with each passing day/week MC because more and more unlikely, we do know that this does happen.  I have my first US on 12/1 and I noticed on the paperwork it says viability US which made my heart sink a little. 

We just have to keep the positive vibes and thoughts coming!!  There is plenty of time to worry about something when it actually happens, until then I just can't let myself be riddled with worry.

ladipale

My first scheduled appt with my amazing OB is 11/28 but as soon as my HCG levels are high enough she is going to bring me in for an ultrasound. Had a loss in March that was just a terrible experience all around and I'm so grateful for an OB that is understanding of my emotional needs this time around. 

thatcma

Cait32 said:

Thanks for saying that @BabyDancer! I'm a FTM and this is my first pregnancy, and instead of enjoying the fact that as of right now, I'm pregnant and I have no reason to believe I won't be at my first U/S, I'm instead spending most of my time anxiety ridden that something will be wrong. 

Im trying to tell myself that even this moment is a gift, and if something were to go wrong, it doesn't make this moment any less of a gift. Of course I hope this will all go perfectly, but if it isn't going to, there's literally not a single thing I can do about it. I'm really trying to calm myself down and appreciate that we got this far.

All of this.

2beautifulboys

My first appointment is on the 28th of this month, a dating ultrasound.  I was with my ob/gyn during my last pregnancy which ended in a miscarriage at 10 weeks.  I'm anxious to have the ultrasound done to know everything looks good because the ultrasound alerted us to possible problems last time around.  I have an appointment with the nurse on December 13th.  I'll get genetic testing done, i'm 36 now.   

Poppyseed72017

We got our BFP last Friday. It has taken some time to let it really sink in. Today I finally mustered up enough courage to call the OB's office and set up our first appointment for the 28th. We are looking forward to it. It's taken us 3 years after our last loss to even consider trying. We finally made the decision in June to try. We still can't believe we are pregnant again. 

ThePecks

I'll be having an appointment with my fertility OB next week just to make sure things are progressing well. I need to call my regular OB whom I'll be delivering with soon and get that set up!

thatcma

So many of us on the 28th!

ETA: Also when should we start the US thread/attempt to have it pinned, LOL

jsweet-2

I have a BETA on Monday I feel like that is a life time away.

WorkinWeezel

Had an appt on Monday because of previous history and surprise pregnancy. Betas and Progesterone levels taken Monday- B900 P16. 9. Repeated yesterday- B almost 2700, P16. 2. Starting supplements because of low P with last pregnancy.
Dating u/ s next Friday at 3 ( 11/ 11). OB Appt on 11/ 22.
Still no clue on EDD- early- ish July.

theglitteredpterodactyl

Set up my appointment for the eleventh, and then I need to also need to message my psych. He's waiting for confirmation since I told him it might be an option. I'm on certain meds that aren't the best for pregnancy so there's a bit of micromanaging my team care to make sure all goes smoothly.

mjacks16

I have an early ultrasound with my RE on Monday, around 5w2d. Last time around this is when things were looking behind and had slow growth, which did end up in a loss. So I'm getting more and more anxious as it gets closer! Praying we see a yolk sac and fetal pole.

caribbeanmama-2

@Poppyseed72017 Welcome!  We are glad you are here with us!  Lots of positive vibes your way for a healthy pregnancy.

caribbeanmama-2

@mjacks16 It is hard when the loss 'date' is near.  Hoping things go smoothly through for you this time around!  

My appointment is Monday too - but will just be to talk to my midwife.  I'm kind of nervous because I'm sure she will do some counseling about managing feelings of anxiety but I'm also sure I will feel 'lighter' after talking to her.

Thinking I should start a PGAL weekly thread check in unless I missed it.  I know it is kind of late for this week but may be helpful...

rklinge0

Appointment is not untill 7th of Dec. Excited and nervous. Guess this means I am not as high risk as I thought because clearly it's kind of late.
My main question will be about if I will be pushed to do the nipt testing and nt tests and what is the plan of action if I don't want to. 

tsarina-2

@rklinge0 I don't think doctors push anyone to do the NIPT. For a high risk/AMA pregnancy it is often one of the available screening options, but it's just that: optional. Nuchal translucency is a standard screening in all pregnancies. Doctors expect that you'll get the NT because most women do, but if you don't want it just say so. Shouldn't be an issue.

tsarina-2

I still need to schedule my first appointment. Have been avoiding because I dread a long call with the advice nurse (I have Kaiser) going over stuff (no drinking goldschlager while skydiving, e.g.) that I already know about. Not my first rodeo

pepper16-2

@tsarina HA! "no drinking goldschlager while skydiving" is the quote of the day