Why dr appt every 4 weeks?

DaniGirl0517 · July 2010

I know this will sound so stupid but what's the reason for having a dr appointment every 4 weeks? For me the 1st was the medical history, the 2nd was the physical, and the 3rd (Friday) I have no idea what will occur. I've had an ultrasound and blood work and everything is good so far. DH asked me this last night since each regular office visit is $95 and we haven't received a bill for the last one yet but are sure it will be the same. What do they do every 4 weeks?

midnight*sun · July 2010

I have to go in every 2 weeks, but only because I'm high risk. I'd assume it is to just check and make sure everything is going smoothly.

MichelleL1118 · July 2010

They'll check your urine for sugars & proteins, both signs that something could be wrong. They'll also check for LOs h/b, and at some point they start measuring the fundal height of the uterus. Oh, and they'll weigh you and check your blood pressure.

locash · July 2010

There are a few things that they check regularly. If a level is off, they can catch a potentially dangerous complication early and take care of it. They also check the hb at each appointment. They're quick and easy. I would ask your doctor at your appointment this week for more detail as to what they look at each time and the cost you will incur, so you can be prepared.

izzourclue · July 2010

There are a few things like blood pressure and urine that have to be monitored on a regular basis. You can develop preeclampsia, GD, a UTI or yeast infection all without any real symptoms. Many women don't know they have something that needs treatment until the OB finds it. Its also good to keep track of you weight.

And I'm sure you've read the horrible posts of missed m/c where the fetus stops developing and the heart stops beating, but your body doesn't m/c. I have read of a few women that had no idea, hadn't started spotting or anything until the OB couldn't find the HB. In that case, they may need to induce a m/c so you don't develop an infection.

WestCoastMommy · July 2010

At mine I have to bring in a pee sample and they check the babies heartbeat & mine to make sure everything is coming along as it should. To be honest I really have no clue either. lol

JustDoIt62009 · July 2010

Basically to make sure everything is growing like it should. Also to make sure everything is OK with mom, if something is wrong with mom (BP, protein and sugar in the urine, excessive weight gain), it can lead to something wrong with baby. The docs just want to make sure they can handle something before it gets too out of control. At my 13 week appt, I peed in a cup, had my BP and weight checked, the doc came in did an u/s and listened to the heartbeat and I left. This will be basically it for awhile, until they start measuring my ute and eventually doing internal exams to check for labor progression.

DaniGirl0517 · July 2010

vivasuzi:
I think it's worth the 100$ I spend per appt to know that my baby is still alive!

I agree with you there, I was just wondering what they end up doing to earn their $100 Smile

Sounds like there is a good possibility that I'll get to hear the little thump-thump Friday, eeee! Thanks for all the input ladies.

Keddy15 · July 2010

They listen to the HB, order any labs that need to be done, check your urine for proteins (sign of pre-eclampsia) or infections, monitor your weight, make sure you haven't had any weird symptoms that could signify a problem, and as you get further along they will start measuring the height of your uterus (With a tape measure on your stomach) to make sure the baby is growing at the correct pace. It becomes very routine but the point of all the visits is to make sure that if there is a problem or a risk they catch it as soon as possible.

JPed* · July 2010

Not trying to thread jack here, but... everyone keeps saying "they listen to the h/b".

At my 12 week appointment, they did not. I peed, they weighed me and took my blood pressure, and then sent me on my way. How do they even know baby's still alive since my 7 week u/s? I don't have another appointment until I'm 16 weeks and I'm terrified to tell anyone I'm pregnant and then find out I'm not.

JDoe11111 · July 2010

My office is apparently totally different - I only peed & gave blood at the 1st appt (6 weeks), then the next 3 appts were basically just weight, dopplar, and any concerns I have. I find it reassuring to hear the heartbeat each time, but I'm way jealous of the frequent ultra-sounders.

gwenypher7 · July 2010

They are making sure the pregnancy is progressing normally by checking your size and weight gain. DD was iugr (stopped growing in utero), and this sometimes happens. They are also checking your blood pressure and looking for protein in your urine as these can be signs of pre-e. If you do not have insurance to cover the pregnancy, you might want to talk to your office about a payment plan/different options next time.

skoogirl · July 2010

Wow, I'm surprised it only cost $100. My first appointment hasn't been billed yet, but the lab tests that they ran cost about $2000, $650 patient responsibility that came out of my deductible/HSA account. Hopefully I don't have to go through all that bloodwork and urine analysis again, it was a lot of blood and urine!

DaniGirl0517 · July 2010

skoogirl:
Wow, I'm surprised it only cost $100. My first appointment hasn't been billed yet, but the lab tests that they ran cost about $2000, $650 patient responsibility that came out of my deductible/HSA account. Hopefully I don't have to go through all that bloodwork and urine analysis again, it was a lot of blood and urine!

Well all blood work and the u/s were done at separate places. I haven't been billed for the labs yet but I'm sure that is in the mail too. The u/s was around $230 our responsibility I think.

goodlife2009 · July 2010

I know I am late but I thought I'd chime in. My visit to the Doctor is also $100 each time but it is because we are paying our total bill in monthly payment. Our insurance pays 80% and we pay 20%. Our 20% equals out to $495. These are charges for when the Doctor actually delivers our LO and all of the medical care up to that point. We could also pay it all in one lump sum but it makes a lot more sense for us to make monthly payments. Our balance must be paid by the 7th month. I wonder if that is what your charges are.

DaniGirl0517 · July 2010

I will have to ask because from the Dr I haven't received a bill since the 1st visit and that was with the nurse to get a history. My regular office visits are $95 or so and that's what that last one was too. How I've been getting charged is the initial fee for their services is "x" and I get a portion of that removed because I'm going to a "plan approved provider" and then I pay the rest and it is applied to my deductible. I don't get to think about co-payment percentages until I've racked up $5000 against my deductible. Does that make sense?

DaniGirl0517 · July 2010

Maybe they are splitting it between you and your DH? Ours is 5000 per person. So if I exceed 5000 I will be on copays but then DH will still be paying against the deductible and when we have LO it's the same thing.

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