How often did/do you have appointments?

jenniferurs · January 2014

I see a lot of variances on these boards, from the date of the first appointment to the frequency in which they occur. I just read one post where the lady had just had her first appointment and wouldn't be having another for over a month. I, personally, have an appointment coming up in about a week, which would be 2 weeks after my first appointment.

So what's standard? When and how often did you go in during the first trimester?

Thanks in advance, congrats to everyone, and best wishes for a happy and healthy pregnancy!

beccam1230 · January 2014

During my first and second trimester, once every 4 weeks. As far as I know, this is standard. I'm almost 34 weeks now and just starting to get into the 2 week appointments and shortly I'll go down to every week!

MamaBovs · January 2014

First appt at 10 weeks with appts every 4 weeks after that. When you get closer to the end they start having you come in more frequently - every two weeks for a while and then every week in your last month. I think that's pretty standard.

jenniferurs · January 2014

Hmm, I came in at 8 weeks and was scheduled for another appointment at 10.

Cat&S · January 2014

I went in at 4.5 weeks to have the pregnancy confirmed (they also did standard screens and bloodwork during this appointment, and it was with a nurse practitioner). My second appointment was at 8.5 weeks for the u/s, heartbeat check, and I saw the doctor for the first time. Next appointment is scheduled for 12.5 weeks, and I assume I will have about one per month from there until towards the end of the pregnancy.

dogperson11 · January 2014

I went at 8w 6d and have more appts every 4 weeks until 28 weeks, then it'll be every 2 weeks until 34 weeks, then every week until birth.

beccam1230 · January 2014

jenniferurs said:
Hmm, I came in at 8 weeks and was scheduled for another appointment at 10.

Was this just to confirm your pregnancy or an appointment?

RachelCA29 · January 2014

When I first got pregnant my husband and I had been going to a fertility clinic for testing (hadn't gotten all our results back yet so we had not even decided about fertility treatments). Because we were linked with the fertility clinic when I first found out I was pregnant (which was a surprise) the clinic OB saw us every 2 weeks for an ultrasound to see how everything was going. (Dating ultrasound at 5+ weeks, was too early, so I went back around 7 weeks). I had appointments with ultrasounds at 5, 7 and 9 weeks and then my family doctor was supposed to take over until I started with my new OB for the rest of my pregnancy.

We had a little scare at 11 weeks so I went back to the fertility clinic at 11 weeks for another ultrasound. Then I met with my family doctor for what is typically the "first appointment" at 12 weeks. Sometimes they will see you as early as 8 weeks to confirm a pregnancy, but since that had all been done through the clinic it wasn't necessary for me.

I go for regular appointments every 4 weeks from 12-30 weeks, switching between my family doctor and OB. After 30 weeks it will be every 2 weeks. Then I think weekly from 36 to 40 weeks (with just my OB then).

I'm in Ontario, Canada so it's all covered by OHIP here (including the fertility clinic prenatal care). I don't know if US health insurance differences might make a difference in appointment frequency (like really fancy plans might allow for additional appointments in the first and second trimester).

KingLED · January 2014

For a low risk pregnancy my OB schedules the first appt for 8-12 wks and then every 4 thereafter unless something comes up. Then late in pregnancy it changes to 2 then 1, of course.

ETA: And ultrasounds are only if they can't find the hb on the doppler at/after 12 wks and at the 20 wk scan.

jenniferurs · January 2014

beccam1230 said:

jenniferurs said:
Hmm, I came in at 8 weeks and was scheduled for another appointment at 10.
Was this just to confirm your pregnancy or an appointment?

First prenatal appointment.

chardonnay24 · January 2014

With my first, I had an appointment at 6w to date the pregnancy. The date was way off according to my LMP, so I had a follow up at 8w to make sure everything was growing. Then, every 4 weeks until 30 weeks, every 2 weeks until 36 weeks, and weekly until I delivered.

This one looks to be the same. I went in yesterday at 6w4d to date the pregnancy. It was 2 weeks off according to my LMP, so they are having me go back in 2 weeks to make sure everything is growing. Then the same schedule as my last pregnancy.

vixey · January 2014

So far, I've had appointments at 10 weeks and 16 weeks. I have only had a doppler to hear the heartbeat, no ultrasound yet. I'll have an anatomy scan at 20 weeks and an appointment immediately following that. The plan is for monthly appointments until later in the 3rd trimester.

ThereBeDragons · January 2014

Standard I'd say is every 4 weeks, then 2 in third trimester, then weekly near the end.

Just about anything can adjust that schedule though. Personally I was seen weekly by an RE from 5-12 weeks, at 16w by my OB, at 17w by my MFM, at 18 by OB, at 20 by MFM, at 21 by OB and have a 23w OB visit and a 24w MFM visit scheduled. So anywhere from 2-3 weeks between visits to OB and 3-4 weeks between MFM visits- usually alternated. But I'm very high risk and can expect to see someone at least every two weeks until I deliver. (And every week I get a visit from a home health nurse who checks my vitals and gives me my P17 shot)

Every OB does things a little differently, and adjusts dates based on their own criteria.

cMichelle0423 · January 2014

During my first PG i only saw my OB 1 time a month until about 28 weeks. Then I started seeing her twice a month until 36 weeks which then my appts were once a week until I delivered. Im seeing a different OB now which is in a different state than before and so far that seems to be the same appt set up.

sparklingdiamond · January 2014

I went for my first appt around 7 weeks and then have gone in for monthly appointments since then. I had a separate appointment for my NT scan and for my anatomy scan.

mileswithmyles · January 2014

After my first appointment, I have gone every 4 weeks. I think at week 26, it switches to every 2.

beccam1230 · January 2014

jenniferurs said:

beccam1230 said:

jenniferurs said:
Hmm, I came in at 8 weeks and was scheduled for another appointment at 10.
Was this just to confirm your pregnancy or an appointment?
First prenatal appointment.

Weird.. Maybe after your next appointment, it'll go to every 4 weeks. You could ask your doctor too!

saraapuzzo24 · January 2014

My first was at 9 1/2 weeks to confirm the pregnancy. Then since then once a month. I'm 27 weeks now, my office said it will be once a week starting 4 weeks before I'm due.

alyssarenee90 · January 2014

My first was at 5weeks due to some spotting and to date it. Then again at 6.5 weeks to make sure it was still going okay and I didn't miscarry. They fount a heartbeat. But I have to wait about 6 weeks now til my 12 weeks apt

long wait..

lmdonnel · January 2014

My first appt is next Monday the 27th with a nurse at 5w5d for blood work to confirm, family medical history, etc... I didn't get much from the scheduling nurse on the phone, but I assume as long as everything looks ok that I won't go back until at least 8w.

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