Okay, just started browsing over here after 5ish months in TTGP, so, first of all, Hi!
Second of all, quick question:
It seems like almost all of you are getting blood tests, beta tests, appointments at 4 weeks, 6 weeks, etc.
My OB said she'd see me in November, when I'm at about 10 weeks. It seemed that was pretty standard from what I'd heard before, but it definitely does not appear to be the case on here, so I'm just curious: When did your OB suggest your first appointment? If it was before 8-10 weeks, was that because you requested an early appointment for a particular reason?
Re: First Doctors' Appointment
Umm... No? And I'm not sure where any of this is coming from.
I noticed a whole lot of early appointments mentioned in the posts on this board. I was curious as to who initiated those appointments, and if 8-10 weeks was still the norm for most.
Also, some OBs will have you come in for betas if you have things like spotting or extreme cramping so some women are seen then. Some offices do a visit before 8 weeks that's just a pee test and filling out family history as well. A lot is dependent on your OB and their procedures. But, no, mostly the best case scenario is that you only get seen at 8-10 weeks because nothing has gone wrong before then.
Me-31, H-27
**Loss 1-Cycle 7(June 2013) at 5w6d-CP**Loss 2-Cycle 11(October 2013) at 5w4d-CP**
**Loss 3-Cycle 14 (January-February 2014)-M/C dx 2/10, EP dx 2/24, MTX 2/25**
Beta Hell--hCG finally down to 0 - 6/20/14
SA normal. Genetic testing normal. Hormonal testing normal.
HSG 6/30/14 - found blocked left tube and 2 'bubbles' on uterine wall.
Hysteroscopy/Lap--8/4/14 - Tubes unblocked. Polyps removed from uterine wall. Septum removed.
9/30/14--Off the bench! Unmedicated TI through December 2014
BFP 12/14/14!!! Beta #1, 12/16: 990 Beta #2, 12/18: Over 2000! Beta #3, 12/22: over 8000!
U/S #1, 12/23: gestational sac, possible heartbeat
U/S #2, 12/30: HEARTBEAT! 128bpm, measuring right on at 7w EDD: 8/19/2015
U/S #3, 1/9: BPM in the 180s, IT'S HAPPENING!!!
While I wholeheartedly agree with this, unfortunately I have seen whiny brats get earlier appointments (or head to the ER for "confirmation"). And then flip out because there was nothing to see, or they couldn't hear the heartbeat. (This flipping out tends not to occur with people who actually need the monitoring because they tend to be a little more informed about the process).
There's a reason why doctors schedule appointments when they do. For most people, that tends to be around 10 weeks. (My doctor does between 8-10, some are 10-12). That's because there's something to see/hear at that point, meaning you don't need to schedule multiple follow up appointments to make sure that there's a (gestational sac/fetal pole/embryo/heart beat, etc.) which is good for all of us insurance-wise. People who have earlier appointments have reasons for those appointments that you don't want - recurrent loss, threatened loss, infertility treatments. Sadly (not sadly? amazingly awesome that science can help save babies/help women have them?) there is a fair number of these women on these boards which may be why you see things about beta draws and blood tests more than you might encounter among your peers.
My OB's office sends you in for blood tests pretty soon after you call to say you had a positive test but they don't actually see you until 12 weeks. My previous pregnancy actually ended in miscarriage so I expected an earlier appointment this time around. They said they would stick with 12 weeks unless something went wrong.
Of course I did get some ultrasounds earlier because we did have some concerns with this go round but still didn't see my OB til 12 weeks! Makes for an impatient mama but no need to worry about this!
"It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness." - Eleanor Roosevelt
It's so hard to wait, especially when you have been through multiple MC's with no successful birth yet. I just found out Friday and I called my Dr. today. Even with my history of MC's (the most recent being in April) she said there was no reason to come in earlier than next week. That's probably even a bit early but they want to at least see me for an initial visit.
Even though I want to know what's going on right this second (as most do), I know it makes no sense to push for an earlier appointment.
I actually have an appointment with my doctor for an ultrasound and follow up for Wednesday, because i had my annual last week and told her i was TTC, and she said she wanted to do a scan just to make sure i didn't have cysts or fibroids that were stopping me from getting pregnant (i had to have surgery two years ago to remove a large dermoid cyst and several fibroids). However, at my annual i was 7dpo. This morning, at 11dpo, i got a +HPT (yay!). I'm going to call the office tomorrow and see if they still want to see me this week, or if i should wait...my apointment that is currently out there would be at 13dpo, so just shy of 4 weeks pregnant.
i'm honestly not sure if she'll still want to scan for cysts/fibroids just to be safe, or if she'll just tell me to come back in another 4 weeks. i don't think there's much to look at on an ultrasound at the 4 week mark, so if she wants me to wait, that's totally fine with me.
@ everyone else - thank you also. Obviously my post was misinterpreted by some as fishing for excuses for an earlier doctors appointment, but that was absolutely not the case (quite happy with my PCP/OB and trust her recommendations fully). I was genuinely curious - and as the rest of the comments have shown, it does seem to vary a LOT by region and for a whole lot of different reasons. Very interesting to read, actually.
It really blows my mind how rude some people can be on these boards. We are all going to be/are parents so some people should grow up and have a little more compassion for others or just keep your mouth shut. If you cant just simply answer the question then don't comment, it's that simple.
So, to answer your question, I had my first appt this time around at 8 weeks. No special reason, I did have some complications with my first pregnancy but now have a healthy almost 2 year old, So it wasn't because of any medical reasons, just when they scheduled it.
Good luck at your first appt and I wouldn't worry about having to wait until 10 weeks, it's pretty normal.
If this post was somehow shocking to your delicate sensibilities, this may not be a good home for you.
You brought it on yourself by being rude to my first initial comment. I have NOT ONCE gone out of my way on any board to put someone elses opinions or whatever down, like you did to me. You were extremely rude in your comment back to me and it was totally uncalled for. I don't feel bad one bit.
Married 6/21/14 Baby:6/24/15
Me: 30, DH: 30
Married since December 17, 2011