Pre-natal care seem like it's lacking?

kp90 · December 2015

I am 18w and 4 days today. I have had 4 OB appointments (1 was with a nurse only) and then I had an early gender scan done at 16 wks. I've had several U/S and one during an ER visit when I had some spotting. All my appointments have been very quick, like in and out. Is anyone else feeling like they haven't had as much care, etc as others on here who have posted about certain testing, etc? Idk. A co worker told me the more boring the appointment, the better. I'm just having a ton of anxiety and my 20 week U/S isn't until Dec 28th

I just want to make sure everything is going great with baby and she is developing like normal but I feel like my appointments are soooo far apart and when I have them I spend more time in the waiting room. Any thoughts or experience on here? Some help to get me to chill would be great!

countrygrl5533 · December 2015

Boring, quick appointments are the norm right now. That was true for my first pregnancy too. Only every 4 weeks until later on when it moves to 2x per month then later once a week. Frankly, I'm enjoying the boring. Unless there is a problem, there really isn't anything to do besides measure, Doppler, etc. and schedule any tests.

amscape · December 2015

I'm 17 weeks & I've had 3 appointments & one u/s.They're all straightforward, in & out. The first was longer because we went over my history but the other 2 were very quick. I'm content with my practice but I know what you mean about how it can feel with long gaps & a longer time in the waiting than in the office! This whole pregnancy feels a lot like "hurry up and wait" to me. I'm sure May will be here sooner than we can imagine though!

kp90 · December 2015

I sure hope so! @amscape it just seems like everyone else has had testing for this, that and the other. Or they've talked about so many different things already... and I'm over here like... Yep, I know I'm pregnant and its a girl. That's about it in a nutshell. I'm enjoying my pregnancy I just wish I knew more. I'm actually looking forward to the frequent appointments. Sometimes I just wish it was May already so I can have my baby in my arms and stop worrying... well, stop worrying about certain things and start worrying about others!

sosweet487 · December 2015

My last appointment was the fastest appointment I've ever had. Doctor came in... didn't even have me undress. Lifted up my shirt, used a fetal doppler to check the heartbeat. Said heartbeat sounded good and asked if I had any questions/concerns. When I said no he just smiled and said, "Okay! See you next month." and then booked it!

Image: https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qtQ680DZ5j0/VX_hIEMh8ZI/AAAAAAAAT18/enYjeDWTRGg/s400/bye-do-not-want-exit-exiting-goodbye-leaving-see-ya-GIF.gif

My DH and I just sat there for a couple seconds just looking at each other. The appointment was probably about 5 minutes max. Thankfully I had to get my second-trimester screen in otherwise I would have been super irritated to have made the drive for such a short visit. We have our next U/S scheduled on January 7th and we're hoping to know the sex then

We were told at our initial prenatal appointment that the first few appointments would be super fast and that my DH wouldn't have to be there (but since it's our first my DH is adamant about being at every appointment). It's not until things get closer where I'll have more appointments and possibly longer ones. But I'm just telling myself that no news is good news. I trust my doctor and he would let me know if he suspected anything was wrong.

LadySamLady · December 2015

My appointments are pretty fast and rote, aside from the NT and Anatony scans. I have to give a urine sample, they check my weight and BP, OB comes in to we check the heartbeat with Doppler, I ask my questions and that's it. The whole thing takes less than 10 mins but I don't mind, I feel well taken care of.

lalala2004 · December 2015

I'm farther along (almost 21 weeks) and I've also only had 4 appointments. I'll be having a few more now that I had to go to the high risk doctor, so be thankful yours are routine.

People have babies every day. It's a huge event in your life, but in the grand scheme of things, it's commonplace. If nothing is wrong, what else do you want the doctor to do?

countrygrl5533 · December 2015

kp90 said:

I sure hope so! @amscape it just seems like everyone else has had testing for this, that and the other. Or they've talked about so many different things already... and I'm over here like... Yep, I know I'm pregnant and its a girl. That's about it in a nutshell. I'm enjoying my pregnancy I just wish I knew more. I'm actually looking forward to the frequent appointments. Sometimes I just wish it was May already so I can have my baby in my arms and stop worrying... well, stop worrying about certain things and start worrying about others!

Unless you have any issues or family history (which I bet a lot of the moms here who are having more testings have one of those two things), there is zero need for any extra testing. It is a really, really good thing that your visits are quick and boring. There really isn't anything else to know. I've had 4 visits (include the initial "yup, you're pregnant" one), a dating ultrasound, and will have my anatomy scan in 2 weeks.

That is a lot more "normal" than having a lot of testing, visits, etc. It means you and baby are healthy!!! Be happy that it's boring, not worried or annoyed.

sosweet487 This is baby #2 for me. I've never undressed for any prenatal visit.

gamommyx3 · December 2015

I always leave feeling like a bad patient because I never have any questions for them LOL. My doctor always looks so expectant after she asks for questions and I'm like nope, I'm good. I've been fortunate to have an uneventful pregnancy thus far except for the morning/noon/night sickness of the 1st trimester.

Merciel · December 2015

Yep, I'm in the same "quick and uneventful" boat. I keep telling my husband he doesn't need to go to these things because they're all in and out in five minutes: step on the scale, put on the blood pressure cuff, pee in a cup (MAYBE), listen to the fetal heartbeat/get a quick US (I have a retroverted uterus, so early on it was hard to find the fetal heartbeat and we had to go with the portable US instead), and bam, done.

I never have any questions either. I feel like if you've done the reading and it's an uneventful pregnancy then there's not really a whole lot to ask.

Most of our appointments have been under 10 minutes (after 30-45 minutes spent in the waiting room) except for the one where Kermit was being uncooperative and refused to show up on the ultrasound.

kami09 · December 2015

16 w 5 d...I've had 2 short appts. That's it.

Random question: does anyone else have to bring their urine sample with them?? I switched ob's from my last pregnancy and I used to do the urine sample at the office. Not with this practice. It's so weird carrying my pee in my purse lol

gamommyx3 · December 2015

kami09 said:

16 w 5 d...I've had 2 short appts. That's it. Random question: does anyone else have to bring their urine sample with them?? I switched ob's from my last pregnancy and I used to do the urine sample at the office. Not with this practice. It's so weird carrying my pee in my purse lol

I do mine there. That's a little odd..how do they know it's sterile?

KyllieThomson · December 2015

My appointments aren't with an OB. Just my GP, but same thing. In and out! The only reason the last one was a little longer was because I want to be referred to a different OB. I've been to mine twice and never met the man... Only his nurses. That doesn't really bring a lot of comfort, so getting referred to a new one in the new year

JessicaB0627 · December 2015

I have appointments every 2 weeks because my doctor is really anal and overly-cautious. Which is fine because I trust him, but I do miss only have to go once a month last pregnancy. It's good to have uneventful appointments!

kbrands7 · December 2015

I've had 3 appointments with the OB so far at 20 weeks. Like @countrygrl5533 I haven't needed to undress. My practice only does cervical checks if there are preterm labor symptoms. Otherwise with the doctor, it's doppler, fundal height, questions/going over my iron labs, positioning checks once baby is larger, and that's it. Quick and boring is good if there are no complications or red flags.

Kurrant · December 2015

My appointments are about 5-10 minutes and usually closer to the 5 min time. They don't ever collect urine, they just ask me to pee on a tiny stick before i see the doc. Go in (no changing, just stay in my regular clothes) Check weight, Bp and Doppler and done. I don't even get my Ultrasounds done there, I have to go to a different place that's down the street from me. Seems like fast is standard but I do wish I got a better chance to talk to / get to know my doctor. I need to come up with some questions for next time so I can spend more time with her maybe. I just feel like I'm being handled by a stranger. I guess that's normal though . . .

lionstigersbears · December 2015

I'm 17 weeks and have had 2 appointments and 1 ultrasound due to history of ectopic. It may not feel like much, but they are testing you for multiple things each time...watching for protein in your urine, high blood pressure, etc. I've been fortunate to have two uneventful pregnancies so far and the first time around I was a little surprised by how low key it is but honestly now it's funny cause I'm like sweet I gotta go chase an insane toddler see ya!

kami09 · December 2015

Aquinna82 said:

kami09 said:

16 w 5 d...I've had 2 short appts. That's it.

Random question: does anyone else have to bring their urine sample with them?? I switched ob's from my last pregnancy and I used to do the urine sample at the office. Not with this practice. It's so weird carrying my pee in my purse lol

I do mine there. That's a little odd..how do they know it's sterile?
-----QBF--------
?!?!? I thought it was weird.

babykasper · December 2015

Several thoughts here...
1.) short and sweet appointments if everything is on track for baby and mommy. And mommy has no questions, in my opinion is just fine. Our doctors spend as much time with us as we need if we have questions. And when we don't have questions, they educate us on what's going on... And we schedule our next appointment.
2.) leaving an office visit with questions, anxieties, or nervousness... Not okay! Not okay for doctors to rush you out if you aren't done taking up their time. Even if your questions are the same every time you see them! That's what they are there for... To make you feel comfortable with what's happening in YOUR body.
3.) if this is what's happening (number 2) than I would speak up, or switch practices to get a more personalized approach.
4.) not sure who said they bring their urine sample with them to their visit.... Strange! And how do they know you aren't bringing someone else's sample in? I would change practices. Just me.

Merciel · December 2015

re: bringing in urine samples taken at home -- I agree it's a little weird, but on the other hand, this is prenatal screening for your own health and your baby's. Why would anyone bring in a dummy sample? This isn't like trying to cheat an employer drug-screening prospective job applicants. There's no incentive for anyone to bring in fakes, and every incentive to try and get it right.

buffythevampireslayer · December 2015

My understanding is that if you have a regular OB this is normal. They are super busy. I have some coworkers who go to OBs that don't accept insurance (aka they are for rich people) and they have long leisurely appointments with them. I have also heard midwives tend to spend more time with you, develop more of a relationship, etc. I am in the fast and easy camp with the OB I trust but I suppose if we had money to burn I'd explore more of a Cadillac-type doc where you pay for more time with them.

I agree with past posters that if you are being rushed and not having your questions answered that's okay, but otherwise you likely have to advocate for your time with them when you need it.

countrygrl5533 · December 2015

Kurrant said:
Seems like fast is standard but I do wish I got a better chance to talk to / get to know my doctor. I need to come up with some questions for next time so I can spend more time with her maybe. I just feel like I'm being handled by a stranger. I guess that's normal though . . .

You'll get this as you see them more often soon. My doc was my doc last time too. By the time I went into labor my doc was also a friend. It just took all those appointments to get there.

JennyS86 · December 2015

I'm considered high risk, and my appointments are still in-and-out! I come with written questions because I don't want to get flustered and forget. Also, in the first tri, there isn't really anything much to do from an OB perspective....the little fetus just needs more time to grow!

folamij · December 2015

At first I loved my OB. MH and I tried for awhile before any successful pregnancies.I had a miscarriage before this pregnancy so she was cautious with me and saw me every 2 weeks. I had placenta previa and was put on bed rest. Now, I only see her once a month. My last appointment I got back to the room and the nurse used the fetal Doppler. Then, I waited for what felt like an hour only for my Dr. to come in, read off my chart and basically say " ultrasound on Friday, we'll check your placenta, and I'll see you in 4 weeks". She was out the door before I could even ask a single question. Seriously wondering if switching providers is worth it halfway through the game. It's not reassuring though when I look at my chart online through my portal and see "high risk 2nd trimester" when my Dr. hasn't even indicated why I would be labeled as that when she said everything was fine and I'm no longer a previa case when I called to find out ultrasound results.
Seriously frustrating. Growing a tiny human is full of unknowns, the least my Dr. could do is keep me on the loop, or maybe I'm just freaking myself out, who knows.
--sorry for long post; rant over.

Soontobejones33 · December 2015

The appointments are about the same length as any doctor visit I'd say. All the hard stuff done before the doc even says boo. Nurses are busy. I've been lucky to find docs who don't mind questions so I get spend more time with them. I've only had to undress once and that's because I hadn't had a recent pap smear. I like my OB. she is very talkative and informative. So even though I've read everything I can get my hands on I can still know her opinion, her actual medical opinion. So much stuff is put out there by people with no real science behind it. It's confusing. Anyway I digress. I feel like I'm cared for.

nerdymama15 · December 2015

I know the feeling of being rushed. My OB's office is the same way. They do let you ask questions if you have them though after the doc is through examining you. I'm going to have to start writing my questions down b/c I get caught off guard by how quickly it all happens. The only thing I don't like about my doctor's office is that there are several OBs in the same office and they schedule you with a different one each time so you can get to know each one of them b/c you don't know which one will be delivering your baby. It totally depends on which one is on call at the time you go into labor. I had my initial appt which was just a bunch of questions and peeing in a cup, etc with the nurse. Then I had a dating ultrasound, a pap smear, and then the NT scan. I've had my blood drawn multiple times. Anatomy scan is coming up last day of this year.

Kurrant · December 2015

@nerdymama15 I found the same thing at almost every OB here in NZ. I was so confused and frustrated! I really wanted 1 doctor and I had a preference for a lady doc. I found only one OB here who would guarantee I would see the same person through the entire process. All the other offices kept telling me " no one does that anymore"

kbrands7 · December 2015

@nerdymama15 I also rotate through OBs. At first, it's a little disheartening, but once you get to the every 2 weeks appointments you see them all so often that you get to know each one. I'm closest with the OB who was on call to perform my csection with DS, but I like all of the doctors.

dshannah · December 2015

kp90 said:

I sure hope so! @amscape it just seems like everyone else has had testing for this, that and the other. Or they've talked about so many different things already... and I'm over here like... Yep, I know I'm pregnant and its a girl. That's about it in a nutshell. I'm enjoying my pregnancy I just wish I knew more. I'm actually looking forward to the frequent appointments. Sometimes I just wish it was May already so I can have my baby in my arms and stop worrying... well, stop worrying about certain things and start worrying about others!

It's selection bias:) For many of us, our doctors follow the "no news is good news" model, and really there isn't much OBs can do during this time except make themselves available for questions and help us hear baby's heartbeat.

My guess is that the majority of women on here are in our boat (few appointments, few exams, quick doctor visits) but we just don't have as much to chat about as the folks who are having more involved care for whatever reason.

hellogoodbye2 · December 2015

Sometimes you'll find an incredible OBGYN, but most of them in the US are extremely busy and want to get their appointment in and out quickly. In my experience, the first appointment was long and exciting, everything in the middle was in and out under 10 minutes, and then the last few they get exciting again.

avidkeo · December 2015

kami09 said:

Aquinna82 said:

kami09 said:

16 w 5 d...I've had 2 short appts. That's it.

Random question: does anyone else have to bring their urine sample with them?? I switched ob's from my last pregnancy and I used to do the urine sample at the office. Not with this practice. It's so weird carrying my pee in my purse lol

I do mine there. That's a little odd..how do they know it's sterile?

-----QBF--------
?!?!? I thought it was weird.

Urine isnt sterile anyway so it doesn't matter. All they do is a dipstick to make sure no blood - indicating a UTI, or protiens indicating pre-eclampsia. Sterility does not matter in these cases

saraleigh2 · December 2015

Agree bringing urine from home is NBD since it's just a dip stick...

kp90 · December 2015

nerdymama15 said:
I know the feeling of being rushed. My OB's office is the same way. They do let you ask questions if you have them though after the doc is through examining you. I'm going to have to start writing my questions down b/c I get caught off guard by how quickly it all happens. The only thing I don't like about my doctor's office is that there are several OBs in the same office and they schedule you with a different one each time so you can get to know each one of them b/c you don't know which one will be delivering your baby. It totally depends on which one is on call at the time you go into labor. I had my initial appt which was just a bunch of questions and peeing in a cup, etc with the nurse. Then I had a dating ultrasound, a pap smear, and then the NT scan. I've had my blood drawn multiple times. Anatomy scan is coming up last day of this year.

Same here. My OB office has several providers and it's a new one each time so I constantly feel like a new patient. Not fun. But they said it's good to know all of them bc you don't know who will end up on call when I deliver so get to know all of them...

helleebellee · December 2015

I'd rather have boring, quick appointments that long detailed "something could go wrong and we have to watch you appointments." I've had both, and it's not fun knowing something could go wrong at any moment.

acorcoran89 · December 2015

I was feeling that way too and ended up switching doctors. The new doctor had to back track and really explain things to me to get me caught up and get some testing done. I am glad I switched to a doctor that wants to take the time to make sure that things are progressing normally and that I am informed.

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