Doctor won't see me until 10-12 weeks. Normal?

lmcwooty · August 2013

I'm currently 6w4d preggo, but my doctor won't see me until I'm 10-12 weeks. I have an appointment at 8 weeks, but it's simply to hand in my family history paperwork and do some blood work with a nurse. I won't see my provider, nor will I have any idea what's going on until 10-12 weeks. I realize it's fairly normal...but it seems so irresponsible and worrisome to not even be looked at (or have the baby looked at) by a doctor until the entire first trimester is done. If for nothing else, it would be nice to have some peace of mind. I have a lot of questions and it's hard to "sit on" these questions and concerns for three dang months.

Is anyone else going through this? Any tips on being patient?

Thanks ladies!

TMVG · August 2013

My doctor told me "In my experience, there is some risk associated with early u/s, and for that reason I prefer to avoid it unless there is need (e.g. concern that the baby may not be doing well, no clear idea of the timing of conception, like irregular or no cycles and not charting)."

In my case, I was charting and we know pretty much exactly how old the LO is, so I'm happy to wait for now. Try not to worry and if anything seems "off" do you have a number you can call?

bingbongsmama · August 2013

My doctor says not before 8 weeks. Maybe you should find a new doctor? I would be very anxious waiting that long

lmcwooty · August 2013

Thank you, ladies. It's so tough since we decided to wait until 10-12 weeks to tell anyone, so I'm more or less going through this alone (granted your support makes all the difference

). I've been incredibly conscientious and have been reading all the right books, taking care of myself, and taking prenatal vitamins. I know that typically the people who are THAT concerned are the exact people who don't need to be, meaning we're doing all of the right things.

It's just tough to live in this body, with so many changes, and not be able to contact anyone. I tried calling my OB/GYN office to simply ask a few questions in the meantime and was on hold for 40 minutes before I gave up. I should note that my husband is in the Navy...so this is a common TriCare clusterf***, I'm sure.

Thanks for the help ladies - just feeling impatient and I'm sure the raging hormones don't help!!

Kriztyn · August 2013

My 1st appt is at 10 weeks... I feel you on being impatient!!

sf214902 · August 2013

I am also going at 10 weeks. I actually called another doctor thinking that date was crazy...they told me the same. If you are low risk, that's the norm. It's killing me to wait!

strawberrytree · August 2013

With my first I didn't have an ultrasound until the a/s. I had one quick appointment at 8 weeks, but that was basically for getting blood tests done and a weight check. All of my results came back great so I didn't go in again until 12 weeks I think. Very normal. If there is something in your bloodwork that is concerning, I'm sure your doctor will be diligent with following up.

jsoubel · August 2013

Totally normal. It's hard to wait. I feel you, but that is standard protocol.

lmcwooty · August 2013

Thanks, everyone! This is my first so I'm sure it's all a bit unknown to me. I really appreciate the feedback and support! Glad to be on this journey with all of you!

LEIGHLOVE09 · August 2013

I have an appt with the nurse at 7 weeks and then I won't see doc until 12 weeks. I also won't be getting an u/s until generic testing done around 12 weeks as well. This is my second and with my first I had started at a different practice and had a couple u/s's and blood draws to confirm. This is very different for me and I'm trying to be patient

Megczapla · August 2013

I'm in the same boat. It's a tough wait for certain but in the end I'm sure it'll be well worth the wait!
I miscarried at 11wks in May (the embryo was 5wks gestation, my body just wanted to be pregnant and held on until we found out there was no heartbeat and needed a d&c) and I called this time around wanting to get my levels checked ASAP to make sure they are increasing given our previous loss and the nurse refused to order it for me unless I was spotting/bleeding or in pain. I explained I was none of the above last time and she still said no! I almost called another practice but my soon to be husband and I decided to wait it out.
Bottom line, it's just a test of our patience but will be worth it in the end!

HermioneLuna · August 2013

Mine is about the same. I go in 2 weeks for blood work and that's when my doctor is scheduling my ultrasound.

I hope my ultrasound is before 12 weeks, I'll go crazy if its later!

AE050312 · August 2013

My doctor is doing the same thin and worse they won't do an ultrasound until my 20 week appointment!! I think that is just stupid! But me and my husband are going to fetal fotos at 8 weeks so if you have one near you they give you all the pictures and they spend however long you would like with them! We are in utah so they have a couple here. Good luck! Sometimes I hate the medical system. My mom works in health insurance and she said that now with all the changes doctors are avoiding doing them....ugh!

Kellimaeross · August 2013

Same boat! It is frustrating !! Since I already had a baby with the doctor 3 yrs ago I don't even come in for the history and confirmation. They are doing a phone interview with the nurse. My first actual appointment isn't until September 19!!! I am already 6+weeks seems nuts!

LesleyH11 · August 2013

Same! Ugh...I hate this as well...I have my first appointment with the nurse on 8/30 and then with the doctor on 9/16. I want this to hurry up, I feel so paranoid about EVERYTHING!

Avion22 · August 2013

There are probably 2-3 posts on this every day. If you scroll down the page a bit you'll see them. They all say the same thing -- it's normal.

First of all, there just isn't a whole lot to see before 10-12 weeks. Before that you will require a transvaginal u/s which many women find uncomfortable, and can cause spotting after the procedure (which adds to anxiety). After 10 weeks you can probably get away with an abdominal u/s. Also, unless the patient's dating is right on, there is decent chance they are off by a few weeks and won't see anything (no heartbeat, etc) which also leads to anxiety, and is rarely conclusive that early.

Second, the women you see on here who are getting earlier u/s either need them for dating (medical necessity), or have had a history of miscarriages, or have been through IVF or other IF treatments. Trust me, you should be thankful you aren't in this group.

Finally, you may be a little younger than I am, but when my mother was pregnant with me in 1980, her doctor's office had only just got an u/s machine. Before that the technology didn't even exist. She got an u/s not because the doctor thought she needed one, but because they asked her if she would do it so they could train the techs for when a patient DID need it for medical necessity. So, for literally hundreds of thousands of years of human history, there were (gasp) NO ULTRASOUNDS. It's only in the last 33 years or so that this has even been an option.

sje24 · August 2013

I saw my doctor after knowing 1 day (at about 3w4d) he didn't do much just have me advice on what to avoid etc. he booked me in with the midwife for a booking in appt at 8w5d who will then book my scan. I'm in England though so may be different over here?

SAMMIANNE90 · August 2013

Im seven weeks tomorrow and I have the same thing intake at 8wks and real appt at 10... but I had some light bleeding today went to the ER and they dod blood work HCG.. levels are high and they did an ultrasound and found the little flickering heartbeat. .. what a relief

alaw28 · August 2013

Im in the same boat and we're on tricare as well and I can only go on base. I am a bit of a nerveous wreck about it but I'm trying to keep myself calm I hope. I've had an early miscarriage before too but it's the same protocol 8 weeks is my family history and 12 weeks I see a doctor. Hang in there!

Charlyse · August 2013

Actually...my Midwife attempted to make an earlier appointment but I picked September 9th (I'll be 10 weeks). Personally...I don't think there isn't anything to really discuss, see or hear before that time. I understand having questions and I'm not sure if you have Nurseline ( through your insurance provider) but the nurse is available 24-7 and is a RN. I think it's a helpful tool and its doesn't cost me a dime to talk to her.

bingbongsmama · August 2013

Megczapla said:
I'm in the same boat. It's a tough wait for certain but in the end I'm sure it'll be well worth the wait!
I miscarried at 11wks in May (the embryo was 5wks gestation, my body just wanted to be pregnant and held on until we found out there was no heartbeat and needed a d&c) and I called this time around wanting to get my levels checked ASAP to make sure they are increasing given our previous loss and the nurse refused to order it for me unless I was spotting/bleeding or in pain. I explained I was none of the above last time and she still said no! I almost called another practice but my soon to be husband and I decided to wait it out.
Bottom line, it's just a test of our patience but will be worth it in the end!

I had a similar experience with miscarriage and that's why I would rather catch it sooner than later if it were to happen again.

Also a close friend of mine had a tubal pregnancy that had to be removed ASAP. There's no way to discover that without an ultrasound.

Megczapla · August 2013

bingbongsmama said:

Megczapla said:
I'm in the same boat. It's a tough wait for certain but in the end I'm sure it'll be well worth the wait!
I miscarried at 11wks in May (the embryo was 5wks gestation, my body just wanted to be pregnant and held on until we found out there was no heartbeat and needed a d&c) and I called this time around wanting to get my levels checked ASAP to make sure they are increasing given our previous loss and the nurse refused to order it for me unless I was spotting/bleeding or in pain. I explained I was none of the above last time and she still said no! I almost called another practice but my soon to be husband and I decided to wait it out.
Bottom line, it's just a test of our patience but will be worth it in the end!
I had a similar experience with miscarriage and that's why I would rather catch it sooner than later if it were to happen again.

Also a close friend of mine had a tubal pregnancy that had to be removed ASAP. There's no way to discover that without an ultrasound.

Yea that's how I felt because we didn't know and could have done something about the m/c 6wks sooner! Still the nurse was very short with me. I understand that the medical professionals can't do anything to prevent a m/c that early but to at least know that's what's happened is my concern. So far I have had no spotting or pain (knock on wood) but at the first
Sign I'm going to the ER because it seems they have to give you an answer rather than tell you over the phone we'll see you in a few wks at your appt-which is what happened last time.

dmresnick · August 2013

I had a 6 wk appt yesterday but it was only a pregnancy confirmation. I peed in a cup and they took blood samples. I have one at 8wks but it's more of a gyno appt and to go over blood work. I won't have an ultrasound until 12 wks. So I mean I have appts before 12 wks but I don't consider them significant. I'm actually surprised at all the people who are posting about getting ultrasounds before 12wks.

sexyntexy · August 2013

Thankfully my dr sees you around 7-8 weeks for a dating u/s. she won't attempt a Doppler check until 10 weeks. Then I get the NT around 13 weeks and the a/s around 20.

maelic · August 2013

My first doctor's appointment is on 9/16, I'll be 11w3d. She won't do an u/s then, just the NT scan the following week.

I'm practicing my zen and the art of waiting, here.

radiohd18 · August 2013

My first appointment is at 7 weeks, mostly because of the upcoming US Labor Day holiday (no one seems to be working that week). I'm pretty sure I'm only going to see the Nurse for my first visit but I don't know what to expect from the visit.

I was talking to my mom about what things were like when she was pregnant (1970's) and she was telling me how few technological advances they had back then-- they definitely didn't know my sex before I was born and I don't think u/s were common. So, with that in mind, I'm trying to be relaxed about it unless I start to feel something going wrong.

Check out this link to learn more about u/s:

https://www.livescience.com/32071-history-of-fetal-ultrasound.html