November Appointments

ruby696

Tell us about your appointments!

Amyface813

I finally have my first appointment today! I’m super nervous. I’m already getting anxious for that few seconds/minutes it takes to find the heartbeat! Is it 2:45 yet?

mamaj1220

I’m going for another US on 11/7 because they cannot decide what my due date is and according to my LMP I shouldn’t be more than like 8 weeks but they know I’m between 11-12 so we shall see 

heyybritt

Just had my NT scan this morning. All measurements look good and it was so great to see everything is ok, MH and I both teared up when baby popped up on the screen. Measuring on track and heart rate of 153. Also had blood drawn for a carrier screen (MH is potentially a carrier for sickle cell, so we are seeing if I am too) as well as a combined screen. We opted not to do NIPT given my risk factors and what the other test screens for, so we'll have to wait to find out the sex until the 20 week scan. So relieved and happy!

@Amyface813 fingers crossed for a good appointment today!

soprano19

@Amyface813 good luck today!

pirateduck

Next appointment was supposed to be at the end of November, then after I scheduled it I remembered to ask about Centering Pregnancy because my doctor hasn't mentioned it again, and it turns out that appointment is in 2 weeks.  So I'm glad I thought of it.  I guess I'm going to start with the Centering program and if it's not for me I can always switch to traditional appointments.

mamaj1220

@pirateduck what is the centering pregnancy appointments?

pirateduck

@mamaj1220 So it's something I have an option of with my provider.  I don't know a lot about it because I haven't done it yet.  It sounds like it's a way that they combine group classes (pre-determined topics and lead by an OB or CNM) with your regular check-ups.  So everyone has one on one time for doppler, blood pressure, etc. and then meets as a group to learn and talk about something and ask questions etc. I'd still have a private appointment for the biggies like my NT scan and that Anatomy scan.  I can share more after I have my first one because I think they will explain a lot then and give us some sort of outline/schedule for the remaining ones.  Everyone in the group should be close to the same point in their pregnancy and due around the same time.

Amyface813

my appointment went well! I posted an US pic in the US thread. We didn’t get an early one with DD because I wasn’t a loss mom at that point and her HB was picked up right away on the Doppler. I’m so relieved. Also, I love that midwife.

bender29

I’m sitting in the office waiting for my prenatal genetic screening, but I honestly don’t even know what test it is they are doing because they haven’t used any of the terms I’ve seen on this board! 🤦‍♀️

They are doing an ultrasound to check fluid behind neck and nose structure, and also a blood test. Part of me would like to know what the heck I’m doing, and part of me is thrilled to be a bit in the dark.

m6agua

@bender29 That sounds like the NT scan that others have talked about.

pirateduck

@bender29  Look up First Trimester Combined Screening.  The first part is the Nuchal Translucency (or NT for short) scan.  They look at the fluid behind the neck as well as for a nasal bone, and then look at anything and everything else they can see at this point (it's just a detailed ultrasound, not invasive or dangerous).  My tech pointed out the bladder, the stomach, the brain, etc. and looked to see there are two arm, two legs, two hands, two feet, etc.  Basically they are looking for anything abnormal or out of the standard range that would indicate there *may* be a problem.  This is only a screening so it doesn't prove for sure whether or not there is a problem, just if there is a higher level of risk.  The blood work that goes with it somehow adds to this information and they are looking at levels of different things and seeing if you are in "normal" range for this stage of pregnancy.  The "problems" they are looking for risk of are genetic abnormalities, the trisomys, as well as heart defects.  The nice part is that you should know if everything in your scan is normal pretty much right away once the doctor reviews it.  Bloodwork can take a few days depending on your lab.

They may or may not also draw blood for NIPT testing which looks for the same sorts of issues in a different way through genetic analysis at the lab.

If your results indicate a high level of risk your doctor may recommend more tests.  The risk of most of the things they are looking for is a really low percentage, so don't stress too much!

bender29

@pirateduck that’s exactly what it was. I was just waiting to hear something that sounded like NT could be the abbreviation and they definitely called it something completely different.

pirateduck

@bender29 I hope you have good results!

lisush

Had my NT scan today at 12+1 and they said everything looks great! Yay!

But they told me that at my 16 week appointment I'll have to do the glucose test  . Watch me fail and have to do the long one. Ugh. 

MarniVoice

Yep had my nt ultrasound today (12w+3). All is good and measuring wel . Fastest appointment ever lol.

catem07

I had a regular appt yesterday at 11w6. Heartbeat was 162. Got blood drawn for NIPT. 

chewie5990

We had the NT scan today and everything looked great! Also my SCH is completely gone, so I’m officially off pelvic rest! 

heyybritt

@chewie5990 Yay! Great news!

Had our check in with the OB yesterday. Fastest appt ever but we got to hear the heartbeat for the first time! And they just called me with my first trimester screening results from last week and everything came back negative. So happy everything is cruising along ok!!

m6agua

Glad everyone appointments have been going well!

queenklau

Congrats to all on the good appt news this week!

mamaj1220

I know it is ridiculous but I am nervous for the US on Tuesday, I think I have psyched myself out because I haven't been sick like with DS and don't really feel pregnant. 

pirateduck

@mamaj1220 I get way nervous before EVERY appointment.  I think worrying about the little one is just part of becoming a mom.  

queenklau

My NT scan is tomorrow! Also on the nervous train. It’s a morning appt, so won’t have to wait too long.

shamrocandroll

@queenklau Good luck!!!  I hope it goes great and you get lots of cute baby squish photos!  

mamaj1220

Baby looks great! I feel better now and the tech remembered me she asked how my son is and remembered his birthday is coming up, it was incredibly sweet.

jrouge12

My appointment yesterday was super short but went well. Got my flu shot too (I'm a teacher and 130 kids sneeze on my all day). The midwife was literally telling me that there might be a chance that the doppler wouldn't get the heartbeat because of the baby's position when she found it. It took like 3 seconds and sounded beautiful! ❤❤❤

DH and I decided to tell DD yesterday too. It may have gone over her head what it really means. ☺️

queenklau

@mamaj1220, so happy your NT scan went well, I saw your pic in the u/s thread! We are only 1 day apart in EDD.

@jrouge12, so cool to pick up the Doppler so fast! I hate those first few seconds!

@shamrocandroll, I did!! Thank you. It all went well, good NT measurements and baby was bouncing and grabbing her feet. I put a pic in the u/s thread.

thepretzelchick

I had my 12w appt this morning. It was nice to see baby finally and hear a good, strong heartbeat. S/he wasn't in a good position to do the NT scan, so I'll have bloodwork next time for genetic stuff. I also have to do an early GD test, which pisses me off. I didn't have GD with either of my last pregnancies and I didn't have huge babies (DS was big but 1. My husband's family rarely has babies under 9lbs, and 2. He was a week overdue), so it's solely due to my weight. This wasn't an issue for my regular OB, but I had someone different today and he had no bedside manner and basically insinuated I was going to have GD and was pretty condescending while congratulating me on only gaining one pound so far. Eff you, dude.

pirateduck

@thepretzelchick I’m sorry for the unprofessional bedside manner, however an early test for GD is not a bad thing, doctors want to catch anything they can early on so that you get the best and most appropriate treatment for the remainder of your pregnancy.  They are only trying to cover their bases to do what’s best for you and baby going forward.

catem07

Eh I'm not a doctor but I'm not sure that an early GD test is indicated for patients based solely on weight. And even if it is, obviously I don't know @thepretzelchick's exact situation, but doctors are pretty biased against overweight patients and don't see past their weight. 

pirateduck

And other women get tests based solely on age.  Doctors have different markers, thresholds that based on studies and statistics if you meet the criteria they are giving you the test, even if nothing in your medical history indicates that you would be higher risk for something.  I'd rather my doctor do extra tests than potentially miss something important, but that's just me.  I know others prefer a more laid back approach.

thepretzelchick

Oh of course if there's something wrong, I'd like to know asap. I think it was just the way it was presented and his manner toward me that made me more mad than anything. Like, I'm a 16/18. I know I could be smaller. I've worked my ass off, literally, to get there and lose 80lbs the last 2 years. I'm smaller than I was for both pregnancies and in a lot better health, so it just felt like a slap in the face.

ruby696

@thepretzelchick Just popping in to say sorry that doctor treated you that way. There's no excuse for insensitivity/poor bedside manner. ❤

mamaj1220

@thepretzelchick that’s uncalled for what a jerk! I am by no means thin and my OB isn’t concerned about GD he said it looks good

lfritos

@thepretzelchick Thats horrible! I don't know why doctors can't be more compassionate when they talk to patients about this type of thing. 

I had my 12 week appointment this mornings, and it went pretty good! Although it lasted FOREVER... I had to give 15 vials of blood for all the tests they are doing, plus the early glucos test... so spent a lot of time in the lab. I was able to see babes wiggling around, which was great. They haven't listened for a heartbeat yet, they said its because it generates heat... has anyone else heard that? 

babyfoxden10

I have my 16 week appointment next week.  I’m not sure if I’ll get an US guess I’ll find out then. I would like to hear the heartbeat 💓 

pirateduck

@babyfoxden10 my OB said no ultrasound at my 16 week appointment and next US would be at 20 weeks.  At 16 he would use the Doppler to listen for a heartbeat however

catem07

@babyfoxden10 does your ob do ultrasounds in office? Usually you have to go to MFM/radiology for that. 

Doctor will probably use a Doppler though. 

mamaj1220

@catem07 my OB does all US in house. 

catem07

@mamaj1220 oh. Both my OBs’ offices have been connected to the hospital so maybe that’s why they don’t do them themselves; since it’s so close.