Waiting for doctor appointments!

jlo629 · January 2015

So I am 10w tomorrow. My first appointment is Tuesday and is only with a nurse. Apparently it is informational and has all my lab work done. No listening for a heartbeat or U/S. Then at 13 weeks I have a half hour appointment to meet my OB and then I get to hear the heartbeat. This is apparently how my hospital does it for all patients. I am so stressed because I had 3 days of spotting at week 7 and called in and talked to a nurse and she thought it was fine and just restricted sex and heavy lifting but it is still tough to believe all is good in there. Anyone else have a similar time line for appointments? I know that I just need to calm down but the waiting is killing me!

malonc2 · January 2015

I don't have a similar timeline and luckily my doctor is great about letting us do ultrasounds, but I agree that the waiting is torture! It's been 4 weeks since I've been and I'm dying! Luckily once you go for your first you will probably go every few weeks. Hang in there!

allybadry · January 2015

I had my first appointment at 9w5d. I met with the doc but we just did paperwork and talked. They told me it was probably too early to try to find the heartbeat so we'll do it at my next appointment (13w5d). I do have a NT scan during week 12 so in theory I'll see my jellybean for the first time then. If we skipped the NT scan we wouldn't have an u/s until closer to 20 weeks.

I would say not to stress too much. If you talked with them about your spotting and they weren't too concerned then you should trust them. They see lots of pregnancies and know what to worry about and what is part for the course.

BeautifulBedlam · January 2015

I've seen many threads with ladies saying their first "real" appointment isn't until 12+ weeks. Do you trust that your medical providers are experienced and giving sound advice? If not, find a team you trust.
If you feel you or your baby's health is in danger, you can contact an OB, your GP or ICoE, an Urgent Care or ER.
Consider searching the forums for the spotting thread, where many people have posted about the same symptoms you're describing.
The wait may be torture, but you'll be far enough along to get good images.
GL.

miracleNmichael · January 2015

I have not had this experience but, that may be due to my high risk history and persistence. I left my previous ob/gyn because she did not make me priority even with my history of miscarriage. She attempted to dismiss me, so I found someone else. He is fantastic. At 6 weeks we had an ultrasound this time around and then I will have another tomorrow (10 weeks) before my cerclage surgery Tuesday. I also will have the genetic screening us in several weeks.

With my daughter I was at a high risk specialist right away and had bi-weekly ultrasounds to watch the growth and make sure everything was okay.

Hope that's helpful.

emmacake08 · January 2015

Agree with PP, the timeline sounds normal. However if you do need reassurance then bring all of the concerns up when you meet the nurse. Most OB offices I know of will use the fetal Doppler or maybe even an ultrasound if the patient expresses concern. If you don't like how they 'handle' you then maybe, if you have the option, look into a new practice. GL!

KLB2T · January 2015

I'll be 12 weeks when I have my first appointment. It does seem to be "normal" but I know how frustrating it can be anyway...you just want to know if everything is okay at least. I'm sorry.

brittdye1983 · January 2015

That's fairly normal for my obs office as well, but since I am high risk have had bleeding, a prior miscarriage in July, and passing out they have seen me every 2 weeks since week 6 and I have had 3 ultrasounds. I would not be to concerned about the timeline but if you worry about the care you and your lo will receive maybe look into other doctors

catters11 · January 2015

I switched as well because of the same reason. My original OB didn't want to see me until 10 weeks. My new OB saw me at 6 Wks, US at 8 weeks, Us this week (12wks). I am glad I went at 6 & 8 because I found out I had a Subchorionic hemorrhage in which I was advised not to lift more than 10# and no happy time for 3 Wks

spdladu · January 2015

I'm 10w4d and went in for my first ultra sound at 8w4d, but that was only after being somewhat persistent and calling around to 3 different practices in my area. I do think your timeline sounds normal, but I agree with what everyone else has said-if you feel dismissed then call around and see if you can find a doctor you really get on well with. Also, my insurance only guarantees 2 ultrasounds will be covered but I know I will be getting at least 3 due to some high risk genetic factors, and bc I pushed for the early ultrasound so it's likely I will be paying for one out of pocket.

1stbambino · January 2015

My first appointment is next Tuesday when i will be 11 weeks. my first u/s is the following week. The waiting has been hard but I'm getting very excited.

jessers74 · January 2015

I haven't had this experience. I went to first appointment at 8 weeks and had first U/S at 8w 6d and I go back tomorrow at 11w 6d for my next appointment. I will be seen every 4 weeks until the last trimester and I have no complications. I am confused why some doctors wait so long when there is good information moms should know during the first trimester. 12 weeks is too close to the end of trimester in my opinion.

ChristyM87 · January 2015

For those of you who are not high risk, there really is not much most clinics will do before 8-12 weeks, which is why they make you wait so long. I am low risk and my midwife saw me first at 9 weeks and I had a basic physical exam and bloodwork done, then I went back at 12 weeks and was able to hear the heartbeat.

Many low risk mamas have to wait until 20 weeks for their first ultrasound. I don't get my first, and only, ultrasound until then. I just keep reminding myself that I have no negative symptoms like bleeding and that everything is moving along.

hcook321 · January 2015

@ChristyM87‌ I'm in the same boat. My midwives don't do u/s prior to 18-20w unless needed for high risk. I totally understand people needing u/s in early pregnancy due to risks but it is SO very hard to wait until 18-20w! We know absolutely nothing, can't announce (unless you want to without u/s) until then! I love the midwife model of care and doing things naturally but the waiting is so much of a burden when choosing to go down that path!

ChristyM87 · January 2015

hcook321 said:
@ChristyM87‌ I'm in the same boat. My midwives don't do u/s prior to 18-20w unless needed for high risk. I totally understand people needing u/s in early pregnancy due to risks but it is SO very hard to wait until 18-20w! We know absolutely nothing, can't announce (unless you want to without u/s) until then! I love the midwife model of care and doing things naturally but the waiting is so much of a burden when choosing to go down that path!

Why are you waiting until 20 weeks to announce? You will probably be showing by then. I announced after we had doppler confirmation of the heartbeat.

Yellow1998 · January 2015

My OB office does the exact same thing. I won't meet with my OB until 13 weeks. However, they will do an ultrasound upon request. I would ask and see if they could do one if you really cannot wait. I bet things are just fine though!

ChristyM87 · January 2015

Yellow1998 said:
My OB office does the exact same thing. I won't meet with my OB until 13 weeks. However, they will do an ultrasound upon request. I would ask and see if they could do one if you really cannot wait. I bet things are just fine though!

What is the medical reason for a "upon request " ultrasound? I would be worried about insurance not paying

Yellow1998 · January 2015

ChristyM87 said:

My OB office does the exact same thing. I won't meet with my OB until 13 weeks. However, they will do an ultrasound upon request. I would ask and see if they could do one if you really cannot wait. I bet things are just fine though!
What is the medical reason for a "upon request " ultrasound? I would be worried about insurance not paying

Yes, I neglected to mention that the u/s cost would be out of pocket since there wouldn't be a medical reason. My office would still agree to do it, but it's a bit costly! I will be patiently (or probably impatiently) waiting 9 more weeks!

hcook321 · January 2015

@ChristyM87‌, sorry that did come off confusing. We aren't waiting until then to announce but many people that go to my midwife center do wait for that very reason. I'll hopefully hear the heartbeat, if it's not too early, when I'll be 10w on Monday. If we hear it then we'll be announcing soon in the upcoming weeks.

cg0112358 · January 2015

Like others have said, it is fairly common for you not to be seen until 12 weeks. With my first I went in at 8 weeks just to fill out paperwork and pee in a cup. I wasn't seen again until 12 weeks when we first heard the heartbeat and didn't have an u/s until 20 weeks. If you are considered high risk or are unsure of your due date due to irregular cycles then you may have an early ultrasound but in low risk pregnancies it's not common.

jlo629 · January 2015

Thanks ladies. I went today and it was just all informative and then blood draws and a flu shot. No exam today

At the 13 week appointment they will listen for the heart rate and do a vaginal exam. From then on out I will have an appointment every 4 weeks and an U/S at 20-21 weeks.

Kinda stinks but just have to wait 3 more weeks to know things are ok in there!

jessers74 · January 2015

@ngoodermuth‌ I ended up back today at 11w6d, have blood work tomorrow, next appointment is in 4 weeks and then next ultrasound is at 17 weeks for checkup and gender. If I didn't have my appointments every 4 weeks I would be concerned. I won't have another ultrasound after that until the 3rd trimester to check size of baby.

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