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Natural Birth
First appointment
I don't know what to expect. I'm having a hard time researching how I should handle my very first appointment as someone wanting a natural birth without interventions. I know they're going to take my vitals, do a pelvic exam, talk to me about my health etc and probably ask how I want things to go. But I don't know what to ask for or refuse. I'm hearing ultrasounds could be harmful this early on. What about dopplers? I was told they'll be checking for the heartbeat at this visit. I'll be 12 weeks.
What are they looking for with the pelvic exam? It seems a little invasive and unnecessary honestly.
TIA.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: First appointment
From what I understand, the doppler is a form of low grade ultrasound. However, this early on the heartbeat cannot yet be heard with a fetoscope (stethoscope for listening to baby's heartbeat). Having or not having US are up to you, but I would recommend making a decision before the appointment so that you are prepared to say yes or no. You can also refuse the pelvic exam. It is typically used to do a bi-manual exam (one hand inside one hand outside) to feel the size of the uterus. Some docs want you to do a pap too. It depends.
My doctor only did a quick ultrasound to verify that there was a heartbeat and that the embryo was developing inside the uterus. It was done with an internal US wand. She didn't do a pelvic. The appointment wasn't very long. And I only saw the Dr one more time before switching to a midwife.
Hope that helps. Good luck!
I am also preparing for a natural birth but agreed to the pelvic exam as well as the blood work by my midwife. I will be going back next week for the doppler.
The pelvic exam told my midwife that there is a large cyst on my right ovary, which is great to know because if I have a lot of pain, I will go to urgent care, but need not assume that it is a miscarriage. In terms of the blood work, it took me a god-awful number of needles to get pregnant so the blood work no longer bothers me and since it doesn't affect the baby, I think it is an easy decision. In terms of the doppler, I considered skipping it, but knowing that the heart is beating at a healthy rate is such a major milestone in terms of development, and because it is quite brief with negligible risks or harm, I have opted to have it done.
http://oi62.tinypic.com/2w73hq9.jpg
first appt...exciting! i would bring pen and paper and if you can bring someone with you that is good too. if you are seeing a dr you probably aren't going to have much time with them so 4 ears are best!
at the first appt i always give women a sheet listing all of the tests that are recommended and at what point during the pg they are recommended. then i tell them to take it home, look it over, research and we can discuss it at the next appt. maybe you could ask if your provider has something like this?
most dr's like to do a pap smear at the first appt, i personally don't. i prefer to do them at the last postpartum appt. decide what you want and be ready.
i would def do the bloodwork, it will tell you your blood type (important if you are negative), if you are anemic, rubella immune, if you have antibodies or not and a lot of other important info.
I only had one internal exam and that was when I was in labour and 5 cm dilated.
My midwife never suggested one so it wasn't an issue of me having to refuse. I've never heard a friend mention them, so maybe they're not part of routine practice here in NZ.
Definitely be prepared with what you want so you can say yes or no as you see fit.
Elizabeth 5yrs old Jane 3yrs old
I'm 16 weeks now and going to a birth center. The only tests we have done/will do was a blood test, and a urine test every visit to check leukocytes, ph etc. My mw does use the doppler to hear the heartbeat but never for longer than 30 secs unless she needs to do special monitoring. She says there is no evidence solidly against them, but they do know that the make it warm inside where they touch, and babies move away from them. I had one u/s at 13 weeks to be sure my dates, and I will only have one more at 20 weeks to be sure baby is growing fine. I don't think I'll have a pelvic exam, but I had a pap right before i got preggo. My mw said almost everything is optional unless she notices a problem.
I'd just do some research on what REALLY needs to be done, and decide what you feel is right for you. Amnios and other genetic testing never even came up because I'm young and low risk, with no fam. history of anything bad. No use in over-testing.
Thanks for all the advice, everyone. I'm feeling a lot better about it. I'm due for a pap anyway, so I guess I won't refuse a pelvic. But after this visit I'll be refusing them. They've already done an array of blood work and a glucose test. That all happened at my first sit down with the nurse when I was just 6 or 7 weeks.
My husband will be at this coming appointment so he can hear the heartbeat for the first time with me. I'm so excited.
I went to a baby shower today and got TONS of advice about pregnancy. Most of which confirmed my desire for a midwife. I need an advocate, I'm so worried about doctor's and hospital staff pushing things on me that I don't want. I really hope I'll have the birthing center as an option.
This might sound silly, and I haven't researched it, but what happens if you're negative? I'm O-Neg. I also heard about some kind of complication that could come up since I'm O-Neg and my husband is O-Pos?
Basically, if you come into contact with this babies blood, your body might form antibodies towards it if it's a different type than your own. This doesn't really affect this pg, but if you have the antibodies and you get pg again, and the fetus is different as well, your body might treat it as a foreign body, which could lead to mc. They have a shot that can be given to prevent that though.