Just curious: appointment frequency

Mycrimsonheart

With my MW office the policy is monthly up until 28 weeks, then it's bi-weekly until 34 weeks, then it is weekly up until you deliver.

I'm just curious if anyone has opinions/facts on the importance of frequent visits. I will ask my MW next week but was just thinking today that if I have had a normal healthy pregnancy why do I need to come in so often?

brennarobbie

The practice we go to has had the same kind of policy. Before 28 weeks, we would go in every 5-6 weeks. Now it's every 3 weeks until 36 weeks and then it's weekly. I think the frequency picks up so that they can measure your tummy, check baby's heartbeat, make sure s/he is growing at the proper rate as well as checking on your vitals to be sure everything is progressing smoothly. At the bitter end, they'll check your cervix to see if you're dilating or showing other signs of labor.

That's all I got, but I'm sure there are more reasons. And you can always ask when you see them! ) I've developed a really good ask questions/find out everything kind of relationship with the midwives in our practice, and they seem to act more respectful to me the more I ask and research. )

 

Hope that helps you! 

Lou&Beth

I haven't asked my MW that question, so I don't have an answer for you from an expert....but what I understood is that they check things like the baby's position (if towards the end the baby is still breech, they may give some advice on things to do to get the baby to turn) and if you allow them, they will check your dilation. I don't know how your MW's office is run, but in mine I am seeing all the MWs rotationally, so it gives me more opportunities to meet all of them before going into labor.

WildcatPrincess

When I had DD my office followed the standard procedure as you described. This time around they just started a different schedule for low-risk patients - at 28 weeks not much changed, appoints were every 3-4 weeks, and then after 36 weeks it was every other. I must say less frequent was nice considering I had to bring DD to my appoints.

FyreFlyeRush

My OB's office is every 4 weeks until 28w, then every 2 until 36w, then weekly after that. Mine was a little different. She did 4 weeks until 28, then 1 3 weeks later at 31w, then biweekly until 35w, and after my appt next week, I'm on weekly appointments.

bootcampbride

This is the standard practice at my OB too but since this is my second time around they have been more relaxed and I was at four weeks until 36 wks, then 2 wks (so 38) and now I'm weekly. I think the risk of problems goes up at the end so they keep a closer eye.  I always feel like its a waste of time but I'd rather have baby checked.  Last time I went to 41+3 and at the end I was seeing them every 2-3 days (!) with and NST at 41+2. Turns out I had low fluid at the end and she started to have trouble so that was the end.  Otherwise I might have moved into the office!

 

Sawyerplus1

This is my 3rd LO and I've seen both MWs and OBs and the procedure has been the same each time: monthly until week 30, then bi-weekly until week 36, and then weekly.