1st OB Appt

jillychris

I saw the NP on Friday for my appt, and then spoke with the dr briefly as well. NP did the u/s. Both she and the OB said everything looks great. Should make me feel great, right...

I actually left very disappointed. I was hoping this appt would make me feel better, and it didn't. The u/s was very grainy, so you couldn't see much, plus LO was totally bouncing around. You could just see this dark shadow moving around in there.The "pic" she printed out is totally dark, with a shadow in it. If I didn't know, I would have NO idea there was a baby in there. So glad I have pics from my u/s at the RE, otherwise I would have been REALLY sad if that was my only pic.

We were able to hear the h/b, but it faded out. NP said it was because LO was moving around too much. So she tried to capture it again, and it was coming in and out. Her exact words were "Don't worry. The baby doesn't have an irregular heartbeat; it's just moving too much." What??? Don't worry, you just said don't worry and irregular h/b in the same breath to a PAIF/PAL gal. What on earth do you think I am going to do now?

Regardless that she said everything was fine. OB looked it over and said everything was fine, I left there not feeling very confident. I've been referred to a MFM/perinatologist who will do my level 2 u/s between 16-18 weeks. We haven't decided yet on the NT scan, but I'm kind of tempted to do it, if nothing else, so maybe we have an u/s that makes me feel better. I just don't want there to be any results that give me something else to worry about. We would not do a CVS or amnio, even if the results were not good, so kind of makes me lean toward not having the NT scan. My next OB appt isn't until May 4.

Ugh. I guess this is just a vent. I was hoping to feel better after my appt and I don't!

limpetfan

I'm sorry you didn't feel good after your appointment! :-( 

If it makes you feel better, MH and I thought our baby's heart beat was irregular at our 8w5d ultrasound, but then it was pointed out that the baby was moving, which can affect Doppler, and we stopped freaking out.  It happens!  

 

jillychris

limpetfan:

I'm sorry you didn't feel good after your appointment! :-( 

If it makes you feel better, MH and I thought our baby's heart beat was irregular at our 8w5d ultrasound, but then it was pointed out that the baby was moving, which can affect Doppler, and we stopped freaking out.  It happens!  

 

I think the rational side of my brain knows this. I just really didn't need something else to worry about! I wish it had all been seamless!!

ELF4321

The transition to being treated like a "typical" pregnant person at the OB can be really hard. 

I am a big fan of the NT scan because it's a more detailed u/s than you normally get from the OB, and because it can show a lot of things that can actually be treated/fixed early on and prevent issues from becoming catastrophic.  It's a lot more than just giving you risk of down's/trisomy.  For example, it can show early evidence of spinal cord and heart issues that may be treatable in utero, as well as if there are amniotic bands that could harm the baby, which can also be treated before they do any damage, but only if you know about them early enough.  I really think they should make the NT a standard practice for all pregnant women, and suspect with the passage of time as they develop more and more ability to treat conditions early on, it will become standard care to do the screening. 

vanessagorc

My guess is that the u/s machine is not really great either, that's they send us elsewhere for the nt etc.

I'm a huge fan of the nt, bc i like to be fully informed.  Also my measurements "improved" my odds A LOT".  Given my age, they were not nearly as good prior to the scan.  It doesn't actually change anything w the baby, but peace of mind is priceless.

TJ1979

Like PPs said, it is kind of a difficult transition from the special treatment at your RE to being 'normal.'  It is quite the letdown.  And I would suspect the u/s machines are not as fancy as the ones at the RE.  I am sure you have absolutely nothing to worry about.  I know that's much easier said than done.  Maybe the NT would help you feel better, since it will be a long in depth look at your sweet LO.  That's how I considered mine.  The results wouldn't have changed anything for me, but I just wanted to see her and be able to prepare if there were any extra risks.  GL with the decision, and I'm sorry you were frustrated with your appointment.

pb_bride

I'm sorry it was a let-down.  My first OB appt was when I was only 8w1d (I was released by RE at 7w2d).  I knew I would be too early for doppler to pick up HB, and I secretly wished my OB would do an u/s but she didn't.  So, I left the appt without any confirmation that my pg is still going fine.

In retropspect, I guess I should have scheduled my first ob appt later (say, 10-11 wks) so at least I could get a doppler confirmation.  In any case, I just want to say I totally understand how you felt after your appt.

As for NT scan, I am scheduled for it next wk; but then, we will go ahead with CVS/amnio if needed.  I'm AMA so my risk is pretty high...