Doctors and Appointments Question

tuxielove93

Hello fellow bumpies, 

FTM here. I just got off the phone with my ideal care provider for my pregnancy, but they told me that even if they accept me into their practice, they won't be able to see me until the end of January. The last time I was seen I was 8 weeks, and I will be around 16 by then. My question is this: Do I keep seeing another care provider until I can switch to that practice (I should have at least one more appointment before the end of January), are there tests or screenings I need to get done in the first trimester that I should get ordered to do now, or is it ok to wait for another appointment until 16 weeks? 

satsumasandlemons

You should continue with your current ob/gym until the other practice has room and then switch. The first tri screening (NT scan) is around 12-13 weeks. 

MrsN092714

Definitely keep seeing your current provider.  If you choose to do the NT scan it's done around the 12 weeks mark.  You'll also probably get a chance to hear a heartbeat on the Doppler.  It's worth it to keep that 12 week appointment!

OperaSingerMommy

I agree that it's worth it to hear the Hb at 12 weeks if you haven't heard it earlier than that.  I also had routine blood/urine at my 12 week mark with DD.  I have always skipped the 1st tri scans so missing those wouldn't matter to me but it might be important to you if you want them.

splashmountain

Wow that seems like a long wait! I agree with pp, I would keep seeing your current provider until then. Even though they don't do a whole lot at your appointments early on, it always made me happy to hear the munchkin's heartbeat on the doppler

longhairdntcare

Agree with PP. If you weren't switching, you would have a 12 week (even if you elected not to do the NT scan, you would still have a checkup) and a 16 week. So if you can't get one until 16 weeks with the new doctor, keep the 12 week appointment with the current doctor. 

morgarita

How are appointments going to be after that? Are they going to have trouble fitting you in so it also fits your schedule? 

But to answer your question I would keep any appointments you already have. If you haven't had one I would get in for your first somewhere else to make sure everything looks good. My doctor said we can hold off on blood work for another month so I would be 12/13 weeks then much earlier than your 16 week appointment. Also we're choosing to skip the 12 week scan and choose to skip with last child. 

tuxielove93

@morgarita as far as I know, they can fit me in regularly. It seemed weird to me to since I said I was 10 weeks, but my schedule is super flexible anyways (I'm not even working at the moment)

longhairdntcare

@morgarita @kerils Most OBs block off a lot of appointment times for their existing patients. So when a new patient calls, their availability is extremely limited. But once you are a patient, you have access to those blocked off times. 

morgarita

@Rae1 my last ob I had HUGE problems getting in. And I was free all day they just didn't have appointment times to give out and they were always running an hour late. At half way thru I made all of the rest of my appointments or else I didn't feel like I could get in. And then when I was overdue they made a huge issue that I had to come in and get checked 3 times a week but they couldn't get me an appointment so I had to sit in the waiting room and wait for a free nurse do to the nst then go back to the waiting room til a free doctor could look at the results.

longhairdntcare

@morgarita Ugh what a nightmare!! what I described in my last comment was definitely my experience. When we got our BFP in October I called the doctor's office I wanted to use and they told me they didn't have any availability until March! lol. Luckily DH has some connections at the hospital group and got us in at 8 weeks. At that appointment, we scheduled our next 5 appointments (3 of which were before the original march appointment they told me was the next available). I mean it sucks for new patients but it makes sense. They have to reserve availability for their current patients first.  

morgarita

@Rae1 I have no idea why they took me on as a patient. If I would have known I wouldn't have went to them. We got in at 7 weeks, that's what the first ultrasound said. Maybe they got tons of new patients at once be I think they might have said there were a lot of births when we went to deliver, we were also stuck with a c/s room, no biggie but could explain something. 

mrscate88

I agree with the rest here, there is blood work/NT scan that can be done between 10-13 weeks, so it's a good idea to stay with your current provider. Of course, you can opt out of those tests, but your OB will probably still want to see you around week 12 to check on baby. That being said, if you absolutely cannot be seen by any OB during the transition, it's really not the end of the world, so try not to stress about it too much.