need help figuring out drs. appts

carl0938 · August 2010

Hi all,

So I have a OB appt. scheduled when I will be in my 10th week (in my 5th now)--that's when they could get me in. It seems like alot of people on the boards have had their appts. earlier than that and had blood work done for hormonal levels etc.

I wonder if I can have the bloodwork without seeing the OB? Or do I need to try and get in earlier?

Also at 10 weeks will I have an u/s? Hear the heart beat?

Are appts more regular scheduled after that (like do you they always do one at 12 weeks, 18 etc.)? Or does every OB do it differently?

Thanks--it just seems like a long time to wait, but maybe it's because I just want to know everything is okay!

staycee · August 2010

a lot of docs don't do b/w unless you had trouble getting pregnant (infertility) or have had repeated losses. Usually a pee-stick is proof enough.

8-10 weeks is common for 1st appt.

odear · August 2010

My 1st OB appointment isn't until 10 weeks. That will be bloodwork and paperwork. The 1st U/S will be scheduled 2 weeks later, so at 12 weeks.

alli&pat · August 2010

blood work isn't necessary and you may or may not have an early u/s. many docs only do the "big" u/s around 20wks. once you get in, you will have monthly visits for awhile and then you will go to 2 weeks between visits then the last several weeks you will be seen weekly. its really best to call your doc's office and ask what to expect. every office does it differently.

MissLadyTay · August 2010

I have seen a lot of variation in what ladies are getting at their first few appointments. The receptionist at my office scheduled my first three appointments at once. She told me that the first one is blood work. The second one (the next day!) is an ultrasound - I'll be nine weeks. The third is a consult with the doctor, about a week and a half later, where we'll discuss scheduling an NT scan.

armandos_girl · August 2010

In my area, most don't want to see you until 8-10 weeks unless you had problems getting pregnant. They'll take blood at my first appointment (at 8 weeks), but that's more for STD screens, testing etc than to confirm pregnancy. They'll confirm pregnancy with a peestick.

The positive side to seeing the doc at 8-10 weeks is that there's a good chance you'll get an u/s at the first visit. It can be really hard to see anything at 5-6 weeks and that can cause undue stress in my opinion. Some docs won't even do htem that early.

ermimac · August 2010

There is a lot of variation in doctors. I am about 11 weeks and have already had 2 appointments. They have done ultrasounds at both, but just to date the pregnancy. (The baby was too small at the first one to get an accurate due date.) As of now I am scheduling my appointments every 4 weeks and I don't think I'll have any more ultrasounds until the "big" one. Also at the first appointments they had me fill out lots of paperwork and sent me to get bloodwork. I was honestly surprised when they said they would schedule my first appointment before 8-10 weeks.