Hii everyone, so my first appointment isn’t until 9/7 where I’ll be 8 weeks and it’s just with a nurse practitioner. On the phone they told me it’ll more of an informational appointment with no ultrasound or anything where they get all my history… etc. My first appointment with my actual doctor won’t be until end of September when I’m 11 weeks where they’ll do the full physical and US. I’m kind of surprised because I’m from Boston and my pregnant friends all got their appointments at like 6-8 weeks. I’m living in rural Iowa for now and was wondering if anyone else has had this experience? I know all hospitals are different but is this normal? Also for context, I don’t really have options to shop around for other providers, this medical center is the only place.
@atuffaha, location is probably a factor, but if you haven’t had a history of IVF, pregnancy loss or are at high risk pregnancy they usually don’t do the first ultrasound until 9-11 weeks. I have a history of recurrent loss but then 2 healthy children and they are not rushing me in this time. My first u/s is at 10 weeks. I know it is nerve wrecking, believe me I do, but if there is no indication that there is anything wrong I would just try to get distracted and pass the time. Also, from experience getting an u/s early is wonderfully reassuring for about 2 days…
******TW******Siggy warning BFP1 04/24/2015 EDD Dec 2015 MMC 10W5d; BFP 2 09/25/2015 EDD June 2016 MMC 9wks; BFP 3 03/22/2016 EDD Dec 6th 2016
@atuffaha I was pregnant in NYC for DD, and I'm outside of San Francisco now for this one, and ultrasounds are done at 8 weeks. At 8 weeks they're usually done transvaginally (if I remember correctly), and then they're on your belly by 12 weeks. I'd ask your OB why they recommend waiting until 12 weeks - it could be a medical opinion, or it could be that insurance in Iowa isn't mandated to pay for as many ultrasounds, or it could be consolidation of resources, or who knows. It's also probably wise to just ask what the protocol would be if you do end up being high risk - are they able to accommodate you or would you need to travel far and wide to see specialists? Hopefully that doesn't happen, obviously, but you never know.
I'm not sure what your beliefs are on this topic, but one reason to do an ultrasound earlier would be to see if there was an abnormality (for instance, a friend of mine was able to tell very early on that her baby had its heart growing on the outside of its body which would not cause the pregnancy to terminate itself but would have been incompatible with life) that might warrant termination, and wanting to be able to do so within the state's allotted termination allowance since some states have such narrow windows. It looks like in Iowa pregnancy termination is allowed until 20 weeks, though.
@queenklau yes the nurse did ask me questions to figure out if I’m high risk because it’s my first pregnancy so there’s not much to go off of! I guess this is just their protocol but you’re right it’s my nerves making me want to go in earlier to check! It’s good to hear this is standard in other places too. Thank you for responding!
@doxiemoxie212 thank you for responding!! The nurse on the phone did tell me if I’m having any issues like severe cramping or bleeding to call and they’ll see me sooner. So I think if I was high risk their protocol would be for me to come in right away. It’s really just my nerves having to wait that long that’s driving me nuts. I do wonder if it’s an insurance or demand/resource thing though which just makes me even more homesick for Boston haha. I guess I’ll just have to be patient!
Hi, just here to update that I can't keep the secret from my hubby anymore. I was gonna share close to or during our delayed honeymoon later this month, but I just spent two very awkward nights pretending to sip my wine with family around. I swear my MIL knows. And my symptoms are starting to pick up - peeing more, gas, bloat and fatigue. Got a backup cute idea planned, so cue the waterworks in about 3 hours...
Hey Friends! Sorry been MIA a bit. We had a traumatic week due to some family issues and then immediately left for vacation to Hawaii! It was very much needed to get away and decompress after an awful week.
I'm back now and hope to be a bit more active! I've started feeling like total trash the last few days which is both not fun but also exciting that things are continuing to progress. I have my first appt this Thursday with MFM so hoping to get an ultrasound then!
@atuffaha sorry, you probably aren't aware of this since it's your first! For high-risk pregnancies, you generally get referred out to MFM (maternal fetal medicine, also called a perinatologist) who have more advanced ultrasound machines, etc. That was not required for me in my pregnancy with DD (outside of the anatomy scan and routine scans after 40 weeks which they do as standard practice with MFM), but if it had been it would've just meant walking across the hall from my OB's office in NYC. In many rural areas it can mean driving hours to hospital with more advanced equipment. Even here for me it might mean I have to drive into SF - I need to ask.
@doxiemoxie212 almost a week... This is completely unplanned, so I think it needed to sink in and I needed to start planning first. I'm the type of person that before I knew I was pregnant had already picked out which extra bedroom in our new house would be the nursery, what color the walls would be, and started my aunt and uncle on a project that used to not have a deadline. 😂
@atuffaha I'm in rural VT and also sat by sadly watching everyone get their ultrasounds before me, lol. My first two pregnancies I was at a low intervention hospital and it was 13 weeks before I saw the baby-but heard the heartbeat earlier with the Doppler. With my third I think I got it at 10 but don't remember-i was at a bigger more high tech hospital. Anyway, for me I always assumed it was location/insurance in VT that kept me from an early one.
@SmashJam ugh I’m sorry to hear that, 13 weeks is so long!! It’s nice to know I have another “middle of nowhere” friend on here. I haven’t told my family/friends yet but I know their experiences will be super different than mine and it’s harder to relate.
I definitely slept at least 8 hours last night, and I'm so incredibly tired today. I'm going to die tomorrow at DD's baked egg challenge - I have to get up 3 hours earlier than normal and sit in an uncomfortable chair for 6 hours straight.
@monstera13 that's really impressive. I didn't workout as much as I wanted to in my first pregnancy either. I'm determined to keep up a good fitness routine this time around. It's been helpful to have a friend that I talk to so we push eachother.
@SmashJam@atuffaha This will be my first pregnancy not in a major city, and I won’t be getting an ultrasound until 12ish weeks this time around. We can wait together
@doxiemoxie212 Sorry, that sounds like a really long day! I need to take my little guy for a baked dairy challenge, but I'm terrified, even in the allergists office. I hope it goes well and you can nap when you get home!
@maggiemadeit it's worth doing as early as you can. She passed at 12mo for baked dairy, and we gave her the muffins etc, but then the pandemic happened, and we couldn't get milk powder for a month, and I was afraid to reintroduce during the pandemic. And now she's failed baked milk. So hopefully baked egg goes easier - but even failing baked milk wasn't really that scary. She passed at the office and failed at home.
@doxiemoxie212 We were supposed to do it at 1 year, but that was the start of COVID, and since then the allergists office burned down and then he retired! Little guy is 2 now, and I really have to get it done. Hope everything goes well tomorrow!
@maggiemadeit but really, just for perspective, DD didn't really care at all about her allergies until this past month, and she turned 3 beginning of June. I'd do what you can to help him outgrow his allergy before then. (An ice cream truck came to the playground, and she saw all the other kids getting ice cream, and we have vegan ice cream at home, and she just lost it sobbing about how sad she was that foods aren't safe for her. It was really heartbreaking, whereas prior to that her allergies were more of a nuisance for me since she had no idea what she was missing out on.)
@SmashJam@atuffaha My Midwife only does one ultrasound at 20 weeks which seems to be the standard here when working with midwives, even those employed by hospitals, so I’ll have to settle for the Doppler for a WHILE because I’m only 6 weeks. Thankfully, I’m a first timer, so I don’t know any different. My midwife said I could have an early ultrasound if I’d like, but it just isn’t necessary, so I’m just going to wait it out. It’ll be a verrryyy long wait!! Haha
@legallullabies how did it go? Did you tell him? I cannot believe you kept quiet for so long. There is no way I’d be able.
@atuffaha I am sure the time will pass quickly. I hope that you don’t have any anxiety and that you find reassurance with symptoms. I am sure it will be here in no time.
My husband and oldest daughter are finally home from out of town! I put our 1 year old in a shirt where the front said “I have a secret” and the back said “I’m going to be a big sister” it took h over 3 hours to notice 😂🤦♀️
TTC1: May 2015
Primary IF May 2016; Failed HSG; Scheduled Lap Sept. 2016
@FishyMom Yes, I told him that night - Monday. Our cat, Roxie is a polydactyl munchkin and I tied a note to her collar saying "Mom's having a munchkin! Baby L Due April 2022." Roxie usually runs to greet you at the door, so my husband came home and immediately said "what's on her collar?" So I said I didn't know. He took his sweet time dropping off his stuff and putting things away and finally read the note. He was confused, and asked if she was pregnant - referring to Roxie, even though she's fixed. I told him No. He's like wait, you're pregnant. I said yes and he gave me a big hug. He had lots of questions since we weren't trying.
It was good timing though because my symptoms really kicked in this week and my prenatal vitamins were delivered.
I had my last day of work today, and they took us to a winery to celebrate. I of course wasn’t drinking, but got to announce it to people for the first time since they asked why I wasn’t drinking. It felt good despite being so early!
Wasn’t sure where to ask this…question for all mammas: what is your go to drink while pregnant?
Pre-pregnancy I enjoyed a cocktail or a glass of wine with a nice dinner. During my first pregnancy I drank way too much soda-coke was my go to “special drink” and weirdly milk too. During my second I found Italian sparking orange soda, which was delicious. Now, I am having a hard time with carbonation and want to avoid the sugar-what do you drink?
******TW******Siggy warning BFP1 04/24/2015 EDD Dec 2015 MMC 10W5d; BFP 2 09/25/2015 EDD June 2016 MMC 9wks; BFP 3 03/22/2016 EDD Dec 6th 2016
@queenklau Right now I'm drinking lemon or lime juice mixed with either hot or ice water and a little wildflower honey. Sometimes a little cinnamon or similar. Got started on it recently when I had a little cold and it also seems to settle my stomach as well as anything. May sound kinda boring but reminds me of drinking a Toddy.
@queenklau I'm trying to find my "special drink" too. During my first pregnancy, it was San Pellegrino but I'm finding it too sweet now. I went camping this weekend and got some zevia coke which is better than I remember it being.
@queenklau part of what makes a drink special to me is presentation and not having to make it myself. I ask husband to prepare the drink for me, and he puts it in a wine glass with a garnish.
I went camping this weekend with the women and kids in my family. I was so excited for a weekend with the girls, playing games and hanging out at the beach. I didn't realize that the games they all wanted to play were get drunk as fast as humanly possible games. Which aren't fun when your not drinking. I also announced my pregnancy to them during the trip. We weren't planning on TTC for a few more months but things changed. So when I mentioned playing a non drinking game they made comments about how I knew this weekend was happening and how I made the choice to get pregnant. 😒 They are all very excited for us but still didn't appreciate it.
I brought my 14 month old DD and 15 minutes after we got there she fell and bit her lip. She likes to suck on her lower lip so when she fell she bit it and eff it was BAD. I picked her up and noticed I had blood all over me so I put her down and put my hand under her chin, the blood was pooling in my hand and dripping through my fingers. There was so much blood coming from two gashes in her lip that my sister was ready to start the car and take us to the hospital. We got the bleeding under control and gave her some Tylenol so we were able to get a good look and luckily she didn't need stitches. Poor thing woke up at 12am screaming and shaking in pain. She was doing well in the morning, I was surprised at how quickly the wounds closed. Definitely broke .y heart to see her in that much pain.
@miss_lynn9, ooooh I hope the little one feels better soon. Lip and tongue cuts almost always seem so much worse than they are, because they bleed a lot! They should heel soon though.
sucks how they reacted to your announcement..,I hope you get to enjoy the rest of the trip.
******TW******Siggy warning BFP1 04/24/2015 EDD Dec 2015 MMC 10W5d; BFP 2 09/25/2015 EDD June 2016 MMC 9wks; BFP 3 03/22/2016 EDD Dec 6th 2016
@miss_lynn9 bummer about the announcement not going over as well! I hope the rest of your trip was good!
@queenklau my special drink not pregnant is usually kombucha, which I guess I'm not supposed to drink bc it's unpasteurized. So I'm trying all these fizzy prebiotic sodas, which don't mention being unpasteurized. Seltzer was my go to last time around so I drink spindrift seltzer when I'm not feeling water but don't want to spend $4 on a weird soda.
Wasn’t sure where to ask this…question for all mammas: what is your go to drink while pregnant?
Pre-pregnancy I enjoyed a cocktail or a glass of wine with a nice dinner. During my first pregnancy I drank way too much soda-coke was my go to “special drink” and weirdly milk too. During my second I found Italian sparking orange soda, which was delicious. Now, I am having a hard time with carbonation and want to avoid the sugar-what do you drink?
I struggle with anything carbonated while pregnant, unfortunately, because it just contributes to this horrible bloated trapped gas feeling, so I mostly just drink water or ice cold coconut water or hibiscus tea... very lame
But also, if you just google like "non alcoholic beverages" I'll bet you get like 50000 alcohol-free drink advertisements to choose from on social media lol
@SmashJam ugh I’m sorry to hear that, 13 weeks is so long!! It’s nice to know I have another “middle of nowhere” friend on here. I haven’t told my family/friends yet but I know their experiences will be super different than mine and it’s harder to relate.
I’m in Iowa also! This is my 4th pregnancy and I did get early u/s with my previous ones it was because of fertility issues or dating issues because of my PCOS cycles. The nurse mentioned a dating u/s after my hcg levels are taken this week.
for my friends I believe it is less typical to get early ones around here.
Re: August Randoms
BFP1 04/24/2015 EDD Dec 2015 MMC 10W5d;
BFP 2 09/25/2015 EDD June 2016 MMC 9wks;
BFP 3 03/22/2016 EDD Dec 6th 2016
I'm not sure what your beliefs are on this topic, but one reason to do an ultrasound earlier would be to see if there was an abnormality (for instance, a friend of mine was able to tell very early on that her baby had its heart growing on the outside of its body which would not cause the pregnancy to terminate itself but would have been incompatible with life) that might warrant termination, and wanting to be able to do so within the state's allotted termination allowance since some states have such narrow windows. It looks like in Iowa pregnancy termination is allowed until 20 weeks, though.
I'm back now and hope to be a bit more active! I've started feeling like total trash the last few days which is both not fun but also exciting that things are continuing to progress. I have my first appt this Thursday with MFM so hoping to get an ultrasound then!
@doxiemoxie212 Sorry, that sounds like a really long day! I need to take my little guy for a baked dairy challenge, but I'm terrified, even in the allergists office. I hope it goes well and you can nap when you get home!
ET 9/10 - transferred 1 perfect 5AA blast
7dp5dt BFP ~~ Beta on 9/19 - 77.4 Beta #2 on 9/21 - 357
Low heartbeat on 10/7 86, lower heartbeat on 10/11 76, no heartbeat 10/14/13. D&C 10/15/13
Tests revealed MTHFR c677t mutation, put on Folgard.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FET #1 1/6/14 - 4BB blast - BFN
it took h over 3 hours to notice 😂🤦♀️
It was good timing though because my symptoms really kicked in this week and my prenatal vitamins were delivered.
Pre-pregnancy I enjoyed a cocktail or a glass of wine with a nice dinner. During my first pregnancy I drank way too much soda-coke was my go to “special drink” and weirdly milk too.
During my second I found Italian sparking orange soda, which was delicious. Now, I am having a hard time with carbonation and want to avoid the sugar-what do you drink?
BFP1 04/24/2015 EDD Dec 2015 MMC 10W5d;
BFP 2 09/25/2015 EDD June 2016 MMC 9wks;
BFP 3 03/22/2016 EDD Dec 6th 2016
I brought my 14 month old DD and 15 minutes after we got there she fell and bit her lip. She likes to suck on her lower lip so when she fell she bit it and eff it was BAD. I picked her up and noticed I had blood all over me so I put her down and put my hand under her chin, the blood was pooling in my hand and dripping through my fingers. There was so much blood coming from two gashes in her lip that my sister was ready to start the car and take us to the hospital. We got the bleeding under control and gave her some Tylenol so we were able to get a good look and luckily she didn't need stitches. Poor thing woke up at 12am screaming and shaking in pain. She was doing well in the morning, I was surprised at how quickly the wounds closed. Definitely broke .y heart to see her in that much pain.
your poor daughter! Those hurt so bad! Hopefully she bounced back pretty quick!
sucks how they reacted to your announcement..,I hope you get to enjoy the rest of the trip.
BFP1 04/24/2015 EDD Dec 2015 MMC 10W5d;
BFP 2 09/25/2015 EDD June 2016 MMC 9wks;
BFP 3 03/22/2016 EDD Dec 6th 2016
@queenklau my special drink not pregnant is usually kombucha, which I guess I'm not supposed to drink bc it's unpasteurized. So I'm trying all these fizzy prebiotic sodas, which don't mention being unpasteurized. Seltzer was my go to last time around so I drink spindrift seltzer when I'm not feeling water but don't want to spend $4 on a weird soda.
for my friends I believe it is less typical to get early ones around here.