I just had my first prenatal appointment today and it was a little more intense than I was expecting. I sort of had two appointments, because they still had me meet with a prenatal nurse (which is all you do in the first appt normally, but I was still at the RE's), and I had a PAP due anyway so I saw the doc after that.
I was just really surprised by all of the questions I had to go through, all of the do's and don'ts they went over (none of them surprised me though -- basic stuff), and then the fact that I had to start making decisions about what optional prenatal testing I would want (or decline)... testing for Down's, spina bifida, cystic fibrosis, and others I don't remember. OH -- and I had to decide how we would pay for our maternity care package too -- all at once, separate payments, etc. etc.
I declined all optional prenatal testing and have already decided I'm going to skip the 3D ultrasound too (unless there will be any reason why that might feel reassuring later on). I'm not over 35 or otherwise high-risk at this point, and it really wouldn't matter anyway -- I'm keeping this baby as long as it'll stay with me, no matter what.
It almost was overwhelming and took nearly 2 hours (I did have to wait a bunch for the doc, too). At one point I started feeling guilty, because instead of studying all the pregnancy materials they gave me (while waiting for my labs), I went back to reading the book I had already brought. I know most new first-time moms are probably reading that stuff non-stop, but I feel surprisingly laid back about it so far... not non-chalant, just not interested in being obsessive over everything. Is that terrible? Shouldn't I be off the deep end because I've waited so long for this?
Re: 1st "official" prenatal appointment -- holy decisions, batman!
"When the world says, 'Give up,' Hope whispers, 'Try one more time.'" -Anonymous