1st Prenatal Visit isn't till I'm at 12W?!

AllyseMarie1 · August 2015

I'm a first timer and it's common practice here in ND that you don't see the Dr till 12 weeks. Everywhere I read though says 8 weeks for your 1st and 12 for the 2nd. Should I expect 2 visits in 1? Or will I really have to wait till week 16 to see my little one on u/s?

Also any advice on how to convince my husband it makes no sense to wait to find out the baby's sex till birth? I mean how are we supposed to plan, shop and get used to the idea and name if we wait?! He's completely stuck on wanting a surprise...

julesr1989 · August 2015

I don't have my first appt till 12weeks either, it's a long wait huh?! Can't wait to see the little one! On the upside, At least when we do see them they'll be big and very baby like

chin up!

My husband and I are the opposite, I want a surprise and he wants to know....so we agreed he could find out and keep it a secret. Would that work for you?

LoA · August 2015

I just had mine at the 11 week mark and they did an u/s. I'm not sure if it's different for every insurance, or practice... But I'd imagine they would! You could probably call and ask ahead of time, and hopefully it's something they can tell you

MommyBrault · August 2015

I had one at 8 and my second is gonna be at 12. Hmm I live in NY though .

kynbar5 · August 2015

Every dr is different. Some only do an u/s at 20 weeks. Just depends on dr and insurance. I think the pp that said one of you find out and the other doesn't is a good idea. Honestly though, you can still prepare for a baby without finding out the gender. Congrats on your pregnancy!

DivergingBird · August 2015

My doctor was able to get me in at 7 weeks to do a Pap smear, blood work, and another pregnancy test

My next appointment is at 12 weeks.

It's pretty normal for women with low risk pregnancies to not see the doctor until 12 weeks, at least with my friends and family that I know of.

Good luck with everything!

mommytobe2122 · August 2015

Well I got mine earlier but that's not the point the point is 11-12 is very important to check baby. Double tests will needed at week 12. Check them online. So be sure that it's just not a regular ultrasound appointment you will have at that day, I will have double test with blood and ultrasound and also doc will measure baby's neck it's about the down sendrom. I had my first about week 4 then 6 and 7 because I had brown discharge but then I got my next at 12w. You will be fine hear the baby heartbeat and see her:) but don't forget about the test. And also at week 21 there is a huge test shows every single part of the baby organs blood system and even the outlooking like fingers toes... The rest then these two important week is depend on your health situation and your doc. Some countries give appointment once every two months some of them once a month. At the last trimester it will be like twice a month.

kynbar5 · August 2015

mommytobe2122 said:
Well I got mine earlier but that's not the point the point is 11-12 is very important to check baby. Double tests will needed at week 12. Check them online. So be sure that it's just not a regular ultrasound appointment you will have at that day, I will have double test with blood and ultrasound and also doc will measure baby's neck it's about the down sendrom. I had my first about week 4 then 6 and 7 because I had brown discharge but then I got my next at 12w. You will be fine hear the baby heartbeat and see her:) but don't forget about the test. And also at week 21 there is a huge test shows every single part of the baby organs blood system and even the outlooking like fingers toes... The rest then these two important week is depend on your health situation and your doc. Some countries give appointment once every two months some of them once a month. At the last trimester it will be like twice a month.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to start an argument at all, however, not every dr does an u/s at 12 weeks and not every dr office is exactly the same. Also, I think if you need to tell your dr about what needs to be done on what week you might want to find a new one. Every dr and pregnancy is different and your dr will treat it as such. Good luck! Again, not trying to sound rude or start an argument.

aloucks626 · August 2015

What if you did a special sex reveal for you two shortly after you find out? Do something special where you open the envelope from the doctor. That way it's still a big surprise, just not on the day you give birth!

SavannahMariex · August 2015

I don't have my first visit til 10 weeks, which has been a killer wait. I can't imagine having to wait any longer! But I'm sure it'll be worth it to wait till 12 weeks cos the ultrasound will show so much more at that time

CCLow87 · August 2015

Mine is at 13+1 which is standard at my OB. And I only get an ultrasound at 12 weeks because of genetic testing. Otherwise it would be one ultrasound at 18-20 weeks. Totally normal!

MrsEtheridge324 · August 2015

I just found out through my insurance my 1st appointment was just to confirm and do blood work. I'll be 10 weeks for my 1st ultrasound and then almost 11 for the 1st actual appointment but it's just how it goes. I also won't be getting ultrasounds at every visit our insurance only pays for them when it's necessary.

EricaMT · August 2015

Same as PP. Bloodword to determine due date. 1St Dr visit 12 wks with doppler. 16 wk check up and then 20 wk checkup with anatomy scan U/S and thats how my insurance rolls. We can try to find out sex then. Our last let it be know. The U/S tech put the sensor on me and there was his little bum and boy bits even though we hadnt planned to find out. This time we DO wish to know to help us go through what we can reuse easily and what we may need yet.

Sorry for phone typos.

TwoPairPlusOne · August 2015

Yeah, I tried the being pg thing in ND. I would not wish that on anyone. We were told our last had massive kidney issues at our 20 week scan. 9 scans later and they were talking transplants and such. I finally drove the two hours for a second opinion, and there was NOTHING wrong with my son. Turns out the radiologist has done the kidney card numerous times. We transferred care two hours away and moved to MO shortly after the delivery. After a total of 11 losses in ND because they refused me Progesterone testing or supps. I had to go MT to get my Progesterone for my last son there, since 4 OB'S refused me in ND.

elocin95 · August 2015

That's odd , here in New Zealand, we go to the doctor straight away to find out if we are pregnant , and for me that was at 6 weeks from there they do blood tests and all . They help you with next steps such as finding a midwife what you plan on doing like keeping the baby or not, they really sort out pregnancy counselling and everything you need . I met my midwife in week 7 . Had my first scan at 8 weeks which was a dating scan . Then I have next scan tomorrow at 11 weeks and then my next scan next week when I'm 12 weeks .

BreeShipman · August 2015

Yep I'm right there with you! Just one more week... I was able to schedule my u/s yesterday so it will be at 12.1. We are going out of town for a family wedding so I wanted to have some pictures to show everyone. I will also get a 20 week u/s and anatomy scan. Other than that probably not much. With my son they were worried about how big he was (they were about a pound high) so I had more towards the end. They also do one towards the end if they can't tell positioning for sure. "Normal" visits and scans seem to vary a lot!