Just Back From 1st Doc Visit

dkaplan76

Just had our initial visit with the nurse midwife. It's funny, going into the meeting I was calm, and leaving I was freaked out again. So I guess it's not just my wife who is going to have mood swings. I think it was the full realization when we suddenly had a 12 week ultrasound and 3 more appointments lined up.

The funny part was my wife was really looking forward to this visit to get the "official doctor approved" pregnancy test done. While our double line and digital tests were pretty conclusive, she has been luckily free of most symptoms so far - the downside being she keeps second guessing the tests and taking new ones just to "make sure."

So of course, the doc didn't do a pregnancy test. My wife asked why not, and she explained that they had decided as a medical center it just didn't make sense since the home tests are so accurate.

So now no "official" anything until the 12 week ultrasound - in 6 weeks.

Should make for an interesting 6 weeks. 

Prime

It really surprises me that they didn't do anything to confirm the pregnancy.  First thing for ours have been blood draws to check hormone levels among other things.  Not having confirmation would drive my wife nuts.  Good luck.

ladyjenna13

I think the decision to do/not do a test at the office depends on the network the dr. office is a part of.  There really is no difference between the home test and the one done at the doctors office, so it does cut costs in terms of lab work, where such a test would be sent by default, for a LOT of money.

After our first time around was a MC, we waited until week ten for our first visit to the doc.

The time will fly, trust me.....

DavidStamps

It does depend on the office, my wife had to fill up a cup on our first appointment, but I'm sure it's just as accurate as anything you would purchase at a store.

Wulfgar

We don't even get to see our doctor until the end of November when we will be about 8 weeks.  The ones that I see that go in early and get confirmation by the doctor are those that have had trouble pregnancies in the past.  I would not worry about it if I was you, my wife's tests got stronger so that with our first one it turned positive within seconds of taking the test.  He is now 17 months and going strong.

heroldkelly

My wife and I have the same thing. We see the NP on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and the Midwife Dec. 10. We were told, also, that the chance of a false positive in the home tests is so remote that they feel it's a waste of time and money to do the blood testing at the hospital today. They will do it if requested, but they felt no reason was there to do it. The thing I never understand is why, with so many things that could go wrong in the first trimester, most doctors don't see a mom until 8 weeks out.

As far as my wife wondering, she's got all the symptoms, and maybe even a few extras, so she is definitely not questioning the test! I just have to try hard to not say anything stupid around her, and I think I've done well so far! 

dkaplan, I think it's funny that we are only a week apart and both having our first if I read you right. Keep in touch! 

dkaplan76

This is indeed our first. My wife just figured they would want to test hormone level and such - but so far no. The issue for her is she is having a relatively (knock on wood) symptom free first 6 weeks. I know its nothing to complain about - but it keeps leaving her worried, which I imagine won't go away until the ultrasound in 5 weeks.

ladyjenna13

dkaplan76:

This is indeed our first. My wife just figured they would want to test hormone level and such - but so far no. The issue for her is she is having a relatively (knock on wood) symptom free first 6 weeks. I know its nothing to complain about - but it keeps leaving her worried, which I imagine won't go away until the ultrasound in 5 weeks.

Worry is the enemy right now, this early in the pregnancy.  My wife was pretty low on the symptom scale the first trimester as well.  Trust me, your wife will be forced to make up for it on the back end, so remind her of that fact.

When your wife worries, it puts stress on the baby.  The relationship between mother and embryo is pretty parallel to the relationship between mother and fetus. Keep that in mind the next five weeks. With the baby we lost we went in early, like at five weeks, and at that point we also heard the HB, which was low on the scale for the age of the embryo.  Well, we were at a high level of worry and stress until ten weeks, when the MC happened.

With our son, we had the positive test at home, and we did not even think about the doctor until ten weeks in. It was much easier to remain stress free that way.  Once you get the doctor involved, that opens up a whole can of worms in the area of worry, because now you actually know things that indicate health and well-being.

Just be aware of the stress that worrying about things can put on both of you as you wait for the next appointment.  Try to enjoy the time you have now, together, in these first months, because any father here will tell you that once the third trimester rolls around your life will change drastically.  Now is the time for the two of you to enjoy being a couple, and to enjoy where you are in your pregnancy. Take advantage of the time you have together, because once baby comes around.....

beafather

We had the same thing on both our babies. They asked a few questions and told us we were. The ultrasound confirmed it. I would say you are probably safely pregnant.

Coltsdad

Doctors and OB groups all have different policies.  Some do blood work for Beta counts, some don't.  Some do ultrasounds at 8 weeks, some at 12.  Our OB doesn't do Betas and doesn't see you at all until 8 weeks, when you get your 1st ultrasound (unless something is wrong).  It just varies on the doctor.  It sucks though, the waiting to find out things are good is the hardest part.