Now What?

wkfouts

So I've just started seeing the doctor every 2 weeks now. My next appointment is on Wednesday. Do the appointments change or are they the same process as when I would go in every 4 weeks. Do they check for anything different or add anything to the appointments? Before it would just be check weight, pee in a cup, check blood pressure, measure uterus, check heart rate, and done. Do they stay the same once you hit the 3rd trimester? Sorry if this is a stupid question, but this is my first LO. Just curious.

Telly21182

I don't know exactly when, but maybe at 34 weeks or something they start checking the cervix for dilation.

kathetakite

My OB does the same thing as before at least for now

juldar09

My dr will do the same things until week 36. That's when I will start going every week and they will do exams each week to check things out.  Week 36 they also do a strep test.

egpitt22

Yep, same procedures, just more often   it depends on your practice, but eventually they will do internal exams to check your cervix...I think mine does this around 36 weeks.  And you'll get the group b strep test, but I can't remember when that is.

bt3701

The only time I know something will change is at 37 weeks my doctor starts the internal exams. Well, maybe not internal, but actually looking around down there, to do whatever they need to do. 

I'm also supposed to bring DH to my 34 week appointment because we're going to work on the birth plan.

At one of those appointments, I think you get the strep test.  

This is my first, too.... but this is what I've been told by my doctor  

LexGator

I don't start my two-week visits until 32 weeks, but my paperwork says that the 32- and 34-week visits are similar to the other appointments (weight, BP, fundal height check). At 36 weeks, I get the Group B Strep Test and internals start from that point forward.

kimbo1216

I just had my first 2 weeker Tuesday.  It was the same as the 4 weekers.  I know they will eventually start doing internals, but that's in the late 3rd tri--unless you're showing signs of PTL or something.  I think I'll also get one more u/s to check the babies growth and size and everything.  I'm measuring big, so I certainly hope they do this.  I'm getting nervous I'll have a 9+ pounder on my hands.

cvl105

I think they're just the same - pee in a cup, blood pressure, measure stomach, and listen to heartbeat. I know at 36 weeks I have an u/s to check the baby's size, etc.

emorymule

I pulled this from my OB's website - maybe it'll help :-)

29-34 weeks

What to expect at your visit: 
During this stage your visits will occur every two weeks unless there is acomplication with your pregnancy and we need to see you more often. At everyvisit, we will check the growth of your uterus and indirectly, your baby, andlisten to the baby's heartbeat. There are no routine labs or tests done duringthis period. This is also the time when you should be signing up for birthingclasses and a scheduling tour of the hospital.

35-40 weeks

What to expect at your visit: 

You're getting very close now! During the final stages of your pregnancy yourvisits will be every week. Around 36 weeks we perform a test for the Group BStrep (GBS) bacteria on all women. This bacteria usually doesn't causeinfections in adults, but can cause serious infections in newborns. The testinvolves a quick vaginal swab and takes about a week to get the results. If youhave this bacteria, about 1 in 4 women do, you'll receive antibiotics in laborto protect the baby. The antibiotics are administered in your IV. They crossthe placenta and end up in the baby's circulation so that they are protectedduring birth. During the final weeks, we start performing checks to see if yourcervix, the opening of the uterus/womb where the baby comes out, is dilating. 

gymnst1013

Mine are the same until 35 weeks. Then they start once a week appts. At week 35 I will have the group B strep test (vag swab) and they would do an internal exam every week but I'm opting out of those. I don't plan on having an internal exam until I go to the hospital to deliver.

khusker

My appointments were just weight, heartbeat, and blood preasure until my most recent appointment this past monday when they are every two weeks and I start peeing in a cup and they started measuring my belly.