Warning: Possible over-thinking. Should I reschedule my 1st appointment because it's "too early"?

DorkyMama · January 2015

I have my first appointment scheduled in exactly a week from today (1/12) and I'll be 5w5d along (according to FF using my O date). I didn't know 8-10 weeks is the "normal" time to have your first appointment, but the woman scheduled me without any concern, so it seems.

I feel like it's way too early and I don't want it to be a waste of time. I want my first appointment to be able to show me a heartbeat or something, and I feel like by going to an appointment so early will just result in nothing to write home about. Should I reschedule, or am I being mildly psychotic?

delujm0 · January 2015

This exact thing happened to me. I was charting and knew I Oed cd31. So my "8 week" appointment would have been at 5w5d.

I called and insisted on rescheduling for when I'd actually be 8 weeks. You won't see a heartbeat before 6 weeks so if you go in at 5w5d they're just going to make you come back two weeks later. I didn't want to take time off of work twice so I waited.

I had to request to speak to a nurse rather than the front desk lady at my OB office to get someone who would understand why I wouldn't actually be 8 weeks at my 8 week lmp date. The nurse happily rescheduled me immediately.

Unknown · January 2015

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DorkyMama · January 2015

delujm0 said:

This exact thing happened to me. I was charting and knew I Oed cd31. So my "8 week" appointment would have been at 5w5d. I called and insisted on rescheduling for when I'd actually be 8 weeks. You won't see a heartbeat before 6 weeks so if you go in at 5w5d they're just going to make you come back two weeks later. I didn't want to take time off of work twice so I waited. I had to request to speak to a nurse rather than the front desk lady at my OB office to get someone who would understand why I wouldn't actually be 8 weeks at my 8 week lmp date. The nurse happily rescheduled me immediately.

I think this is what I need to do. The lady at the desk who scheduled my appointment originally wanted me to go in last Friday! I was barely 4 weeks along at that time! I figured that was pointless so I asked for a later appointment. I think I may call back and ask for a later one.

The only issue is I have some business travel scheduled from 1/25-1/31 so I kind of want it to happen before then.

Euphony · January 2015

Meh... I am at four weeks on the dot and going in today, and I feel fine about it. My doctor told me to come in right away. I don't expect much other than confirmation, planning the next visit and maybe a preemptive prescription for nausea medication for when the morning sickness hits.

DorkyMama · January 2015

Thanks, @Euphony - your comment definitely resonates with me. I suppose, though, that I'm also nervous about hiding this pregnancy for at least another 2 months at work if I keep having to leave early or come in late because of "doctor appointments".

@ladycersei - Good point, but the receptionist made the appointment and originally wanted me to come in on 1/2 - I was barely 4 weeks along at that point! I don't think she knows enough to actually recommend the appropriate date. She did ask how far along I was, so I'm sure that's mentioned in the appointment.

I may keep the appointment after all, as I think because it's my first time and my husband won't be with me at this appointment, I can have a ton of time to ask lots of questions one-on-one and get a pap done (since I haven't had one in a while).

Thanks, everyone!

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baloneydisc · January 2015

You could always call back and ask what to expect at the appointment. Not all offices do early u/s, which would be the only reason to reschedule.

DorkyMama · January 2015

@slh33 - No, it's only 1 day off: 9/9 vs 9/10.

3houlagirl · January 2015

I will be five weeks for my first appointment, but my OBs office manager was very clear: the first appointment is for confirmation, bloodwork, paperwork, and medical history with a nurse. My dating ultrasound is not scheduled until I'm 8 weeks.

Maybe this is the case for you as well? You can always call and ask exactly what they're going to do at that appointment.

ipumpkin · January 2015

I would just go in.

taahira · January 2015

I would go in, my first app was only a test to check I was pregnant and we went through family history, and what tests will be up and coming. I was re scheduled at 10 weeks for my dating scan. I wouldn't expect anything to much at your first app.

thechickencoop · January 2015

Yea, I mean, if that's when they scheduled it, then meh. I actually had never heard of people 'requesting' earlier appointments until TB, so if I just called to schedule, and that's what they gave me, then I would assume that's how your OBs office works. I'm sure they'll just have you fill out all their crap, exam + pap, yadda yadda. Baseline weight/BP, all that boring stuff.

ashiscute · January 2015

Just call and ask what the appt will entail. Every office has different protocol. I would not assume scheduling an appt at 8 weeks means an ultrasound if they don't tell you specifically. Not all practices routinely do 1st Tri ultrasounds.

Also, I'm not sure why you think the receptionist wouldn't know when to schedule you. That's her job. I think she would know exactly when the doctors like to have patients come in.

delujm0 · January 2015

I think it depends on what's going to happen. I am going to the obgyn who I've used for many years so I had no intake paperwork, and they trust your hpt result unless you have had previous losses and require beta level blood draws. So the appointment at 8 weeks was going to be a dating ultrasound followed by an office visit. That's why I rescheduled...because being 5w5d at a dating ultrasound is a lot different than being 8w.

If you're just having a routine office visit and urine test you can go in whenever.

The front desk lady would NOT listen to me about my dates so I had to get an actual nurse to reschedule me. Having dh and I take time off of work for a pointless dating ultrasound at 5w5d that would have to be repeated 2 weeks later would have been crazy.

ipumpkin · January 2015

ashiscute said:

Just call and ask what the appt will entail. Every office has different protocol. I would not assume scheduling an appt at 8 weeks means an ultrasound if they don't tell you specifically. Not all practices routinely do 1st Tri ultrasounds. Also, I'm not sure why you think the receptionist wouldn't know when to schedule you. That's her job. I think she would know exactly when the doctors like to have patients come in.

I agree with this. They were not going to send me for an ultra sound because I thought I knew my dates, but because I did have irregular periods - to be safe they did. I just went to my second appointment and I was only like, 1 day off or so....but initially, it wasn't in the plans for me. Plans were to wait until much later.

PrimRoseMama · January 2015

DaisyBlinks said:
They'll probably just confirm your pregnancy and have you fill out paperwork. And go over the different testing available. You may not even see the doctor...There's gonna be a lot of appointments that are 'nothing to write home about'. It's a lot of "weight good? blood pressure good? See you in a month".

^^^ This. @DorkyMama‌ , often folks want their first appointment to be "eventful" (see a heartbeat etc), but it's not a big deal IMHO-- to get a confirmation "info" appointment. They can most likely schedule a TV ultrasound for between 8-12 weeks.

Euphony · January 2015

Just got back from mine. As expected, I got to pee in a cup and have some blood drawn + a prescription for anti-nausea medication so I won't have to go back when the morning sickness kicks in.

Carebear12303 · January 2015

If you didn't have trouble conceiving and you are a fertile person then yes I can see why you would want to wait and I would too. But if you are someone who had infertility issues like myself, that would be why they are bringing you in early. I have had two ultrasounds already, one at 5w2d and todays at 6w2d. I was relieved to see the flickering of the heartbeat. Really cool. Hope everything goes well for you!!!

XCrissCrossX · January 2015

My practice generally only does the 20 week anatomy scan unless there's an issue that would require early ultrasounds. Last time they had me come in at 8 weeks for the general first appointment stuff. They tried with the doppler at 10 weeks for the heartbeat.

halaniz · January 2015

I just got my BFP and was wondering the same thing! I have my annual exam in two weeks and thought I would just tell them when I get there. I've got the exact same timing as you. I WOULD like to eliminate the question of if there are multiples. I wonder how early they can get in there and count lol.

sschwege · January 2015

I requested a later appointment with this baby. With my second they wanted me to come in at 10w, so when the receptionist tried to schedule me for 8w I asked for later (10w) so they could try to listen for the heartbeat with the doppler. The reception agreed and made the appointment. The only problem was when I arrived for the appointment they treated it more like a confirmation appointment (a change since my last two) and said they wouldn't be doing an exam. I requested that they at least try with the doppler and my MW agreed and she was able to find it. But my point being find out the purpose of the appointment is, if it's just confirmation I would stick with it, if there's more to it, perhaps ask for later if that flies with them!

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