First Appointment

PhillyFishie

I have my first appointment at PennCare at the Curtis Center when I will be just under 8 weeks.

What do they do for the first appointment?  Will we get to hear the heartbeat?

Thanks!

Autumn_bride2b

It is probably too early to hear the heartbeat. Usually you can hear it at 10-11 weeks, and some docs won't even try until 13 weeks because patients get freaked out if they can't find it.

My first exam was a pelvic, external, and breast exam. You will probably get a PAP too if you have not had one in the last year. They'll take a urine sample and maybe some blood too.

kross605

I dont go to the Dr you are talking about, but based on the pp, first appointments vary widely. My first appointment included a urine sample, weight, blood pressure, lots of questions about my menstrual cycle (poor dh), and a folder of paperwork. I was sent for A LOT (like 8-10 vials) of bloodwork right afterwards which is what was used to determine my due date. It was very anticlimactic and I was a little sad that it wasnt more exciting. I heard the hb at my second appointment (9wks) but they did warn me not to get too upset if they couldnt find it b/c 9 wks is pretty early for external hb detection. I highly doubt they'd even try at 5 wks, unless your dr does transvaginal u/s and you could SEE it rather than HEAR it. 

kross605

Sorry, I realized you said that you'll be 7 wks, not 5 wks at your appointment...still, not sure that the dr would try for the hb. You could always ask and let them know that you understand they may not find it and you wont freak out!

Autumn_bride2b

Kross is correct. I neglected to mention that I also had urine taken, blood pressure, and weight, as well as a history. They sent me home with paperwork to look over, info about the practice and the hospital, dos and don'ts, etc. And I was sent to have blood drawn, I can't remember how many vials but at least 5. I had already had a rubella screen and several other tests done pre-ttc so maybe that is why they did not need as much blood for me. They didn't really ask me much about my cycle, but we had seen the doctor for a pre-ttc appointment only a few months earlier.

And yes, the first appointment is terribly anticlimactic. Although all of my other appts have been as well, including the one where we first heard the HB (at 13 weeks). The hb part was awesome, but it took 30 seconds and the rest of the appt was really brief.