OB appointments

Little+Tiny · April 2016

I haven't actually been to one yet, but I'm wondering what actually happens at the appointment and if it's even necessary to go so often. I really don't like doctors offices and only really go when I'm very sick.

ShallowSeas · April 2016

I just had my first OB appointment yesterday. It was almost 2 hours long. They took a urine sample, blood work, vaginal cultures, did an u/s, and then I talked with the OB nurse for a little bit. My doctor wants to see me monthly until the third trimester,, which I understand is pretty common practice. The monthly appts consist of listening to the heartbeat, weight/BP checks, and some times urine samples and vaginal cultures. Once i'm in the third trimester I'm seen every 2 weeks then every week.

rspalding001 · April 2016

Are you talking about the monthly visits? If so I always found it comforting to hear the heartbeat every month and make sure everything was still OK. I admit sometimes I was in and out in less than 10 mins and it seems silly but knowing your baby was still doing good made it all worth it. Also the appointments where they do the scans are important because they can help identify if there are any problems early on. They will usually ask you to pee in a cup and that's necessary because they can identify certain issues based on what comes back. More than anything its peace of mind type of stuff. Most people will have uneventful pregnancies but for those that do have issues its at these appointments that they are discovered and therefore they are invaluable in my opinion.

KilgraveMadeMeDoIt · April 2016

Usually early on, you'll do an intake appointment (history, health status, some family history questions, Pap if you're due for one, etc. Often get a lot of pamphlets.) Will do some blood work (either there or get a req to go to a lab) which usually looks for any obvious signs of disease or concerning findings, anaemia, STIs, etc. At a typical appointment through to about 20w, you'll have your BP checked, a weight check, do a urine dip to check for a UTI and proteins, discuss any concerns you have, talk about screening options and schedule screening scan appointments. Around 16-20 weeks or so, your urine will be cultured to check for any bacteria since a 'silent' infection can be dangerous. May listen to the heartbeat on doppler. Starting around 20 weeks, they'll measure your fundal height (top of the uterus.)

The actual content of the appointments may vary a bit place to place, but that's the general gist of it. It's important to get routine prenatal care because there are things that they look for that may not be immediately symptomatic (like pre-eclampsia or a silent UTI) which are really important to catch.

(Also, a side point, until 20w, I don't see my OB. I see my family doctor. Haven't actually seen him for pregnancy stuff yet. I'm planning to this week, and again around 16 weeks, then I transfer to my OB.)

AmandaR417 · April 2016

All my appointments have been with my OB. the first was just blood draws, pee in a cup, and meet with people regarding insurance and basic pregnancy guidelines/questions. The second was my u/s and a quick internal exam.

My third appointment was quick. Peed in a cup, by the time I was back in the waiting room, they were calling me back. Got my weight, took my vitals, then listened to the heartbeat. OB came in asked if I had any questions. We chatted for maybe 5 minutes and I was on my way. He said this will pretty much be the norm for a while.

Seems pretty uneventful, but I would say they're definitely important.

Chcaggie1 · April 2016

The first appointments vary a bit based on the doctor but generally at the first appointment you meet with you doctor and review lmp, prenatal vitamins, the schedule for your appts moving forward, pap smear, and general discussion to answer any questions you have. You may also discuss genetic screening at this appt. You will also give blood and leave a urine sample (you will leave this at every apt!). I had an ultrasound at my first apt with both pregnancies I believe. If you don't have one now you will have it soon (so that's very exciting!)

Visiting with your doctor during pregnancy is very important. We really have almost no way of knowing how our babies are doing in there. The doctor has many ways to monitor and check in your baby and catch potential problems before they become critical.

Don't think of your OB as a regular doctor, she will grow to be your friend and be present for one of the most special moments of your entire life!

m6agua · April 2016

Pretty much the same as PP. My first prenatal appointment consists of peeing in a cup and drawing blood. Weight, Blood pressure, pulse, update my medical history, update my family medical history and some from DHs family. She checks my breathing, mouth, ears, nose. Then she does a pap (but I had recently had one so I didn't get it this time), she took some swabs, does a breast exam. Then the last thing she tried to hear the hb with the Doppler. it was about 1.5 hours.

From here on out I see her every 4 weeks until 28 weeks. These appointments will only be about 20 minutes, pee in a cup, weight, bp, doppler, measuring my belly, and questions.Then I switch to the OB at 28 weeks for the glucose test. From 28-36 I go every 2-3 weeks. Then weekly from there.

muybueno · April 2016

Like you, I don't go to the doc unless it's totally unavoidable. That said, prenatal appointments are really important for ensuring you and the baby are healthy. When they are boring and uneventful, that's a GOOD thing. You wouldn't want it any other way.

whaat · April 2016

But wait, weren't you going to multiple private ultrasound places? What changed?

FYI- the regular OB appointment I recently went to was vitals, Doppler, "any questions?" and I was out the door. Less than 5 min total doctor time.

Little+Tiny · April 2016

I guess I'll have to make my appointment then.

whaat said:

But wait, weren't you going to multiple private ultrasound places? What changed?

There aren't any private ultrasound places around me. I had my first ultrasound, but I looked at the baby, heard the heartbeat, got pictures and left. It wasn't even an actual appointment.

BmcD2016 · April 2016

You really need to be comfortable seeing a doctor when you're pregnant.

ShallowSeas · April 2016

I agree with PPs, monthly visits are just something you should do for your baby. You may not like going to the doctors, and I'm sure many of us don't like going, but its for your baby.

Chcaggie1 · April 2016

KilgraveMadeMeDoIt said:

...

(Also, a side point, until 20w, I don't see my OB. I see my family doctor. Haven't actually seen him for pregnancy stuff yet. I'm planning to this week, and again around 16 weeks, then I transfer to my OB.)

I'm curious why you see your general instead of your ob. Is it faster? better relationship? just wondering.

Katemr1146 · April 2016

Prenatal care is very important. There are lots of things I would prefer not to do that I have to suck up and do now that I'm a parent. Please don't skip out on prenatal care for you and your child because the doctors office makes you uncomfortable.

talkthewholetime · April 2016

Chcaggie1 said:

KilgraveMadeMeDoIt said:

...

(Also, a side point, until 20w, I don't see my OB. I see my family doctor. Haven't actually seen him for pregnancy stuff yet. I'm planning to this week, and again around 16 weeks, then I transfer to my OB.)

I'm curious why you see your general instead of your ob. Is it faster? better relationship? just wondering.

She's in Canada, where you don't transfer to the care of an OB until later in your pregnancy.

@Little+Tiny , you need to (wo)man up and get prenatal care for your child. If you're uncomfortable going to a doctors office, you're in a for a while ride when they swab your ass for GBS, strip your membranes, check your cervix etc. First off, prenatal care is ridiculously important, but especially if you're uncomfortable with your doctor you need to build a relationship so you're more comfortable later when you really need to be. Plus you need a PAP and other stuff like that for you know, general health.

comealongponds · April 2016

Chcaggie1 said:

KilgraveMadeMeDoIt said:

...

(Also, a side point, until 20w, I don't see my OB. I see my family doctor. Haven't actually seen him for pregnancy stuff yet. I'm planning to this week, and again around 16 weeks, then I transfer to my OB.)

I'm curious why you see your general instead of your ob. Is it faster? better relationship? just wondering.

I think it's kind of a thing in Ontario. I wouldn't have been transferred to an OB from my FMD until around the 20 week mark if it weren't for the SCH. In Ontario, you have the option to FMD, midwife, or OB for prenatal care, though not all FMDs will follow/deliver.

Little+Tiny · April 2016

Not only because it makes me uncomfortable. I don't have any friends who have children and my parents don't really talk to me so I have no idea what to expect. I kinda thought an OB would take blood pressure, check your weight, listen to the heartbeat and that's pretty much it. I didn't think it would be very beneficial until later on. If people are saying that there is so much more to it then it definitely makes sense to go. But I wasn't aware there were other things which is why I asked.

talkthewholetime · April 2016

It's definitely beneficial- there's a reason they want to see you! Plus some of the testing is time sensitive, and you won't be able to get it done if you're not in certain time windows.

talkthewholetime · April 2016

I would go and hold your hand if you weren't in Montana or wherever you are.

Little+Tiny · April 2016

talkthewholetime said:

I would go and hold your hand if you weren't in Montana or wherever you are.

Virginia. I think my fiance has that position covered.

m6agua · April 2016

Chcaggie1 said:

KilgraveMadeMeDoIt said:

...

(Also, a side point, until 20w, I don't see my OB. I see my family doctor. Haven't actually seen him for pregnancy stuff yet. I'm planning to this week, and again around 16 weeks, then I transfer to my OB.)

I'm curious why you see your general instead of your ob. Is it faster? better relationship? just wondering.

I also see my PCP. After college when I picked her, the fact that she does prenatal care up to 28 weeks was a plus. We have built a relationship so I am comfortable seeing her and then transfer to the OB. So far I have seen the OB for 2 early u/s though.

i know the question wasn't directed to me but I figured it applies to me as well. I'm in the states.

doraleigh35 · April 2016

comealongponds said:

Chcaggie1 said:

KilgraveMadeMeDoIt said:

...

(Also, a side point, until 20w, I don't see my OB. I see my family doctor. Haven't actually seen him for pregnancy stuff yet. I'm planning to this week, and again around 16 weeks, then I transfer to my OB.)

I'm curious why you see your general instead of your ob. Is it faster? better relationship? just wondering.

I think it's kind of a thing in Ontario. I wouldn't have been transferred to an OB from my FMD until around the 20 week mark if it weren't for the SCH. In Ontario, you have the option to FMD, midwife, or OB for prenatal care, though not all FMDs will follow/deliver.

It's the same in Alberta. I chose to go with my OB at 10 weeks when they accept patients, but I could have stayed with my family doctor up until 20 weeks.

KilgraveMadeMeDoIt · April 2016

Chcaggie1 said:

KilgraveMadeMeDoIt said:

...

(Also, a side point, until 20w, I don't see my OB. I see my family doctor. Haven't actually seen him for pregnancy stuff yet. I'm planning to this week, and again around 16 weeks, then I transfer to my OB.)

I'm curious why you see your general instead of your ob. Is it faster? better relationship? just wondering.

As others have mentioned, it's regional. With my pregnancy with my daughter, I was followed by an OB right from the start, but that was back in PEI (and family doctors doing 1st/2nd trimester care is becoming the norm there again now since they are short OBs.) With my son, I had midwives and they saw me from 12w.

I was with my RE (fertility specialist) until I got the all-clear at 9 weeks and he put in the OB referral and I was told to go through my family doctor until then.

I've been in three different places for pregnancies and had it handled three completely different ways, so I'd say there's definitely a geographic variation.

MollySm · April 2016

Chcaggie1 said:

KilgraveMadeMeDoIt said:

...

(Also, a side point, until 20w, I don't see my OB. I see my family doctor. Haven't actually seen him for pregnancy stuff yet. I'm planning to this week, and again around 16 weeks, then I transfer to my OB.)

I'm curious why you see your general instead of your ob. Is it faster? better relationship? just wondering.

I am in the US and saw my family doctor for my last pregnancy. I really loved it. She had been taking care of my first since she was 3 months old, she knew the whole family, and all about me. She went through my miscarriage with me, and then cared for me through my next pregnancy, delivered my 2nd daughter, and then was her doctor too right away. When I went into labor she came right to the hospital, spent the night, and was there in the morning for my delivery. It was a very comfortable experience. Though all doctors are different, in general family doctors are seen to be less quick to interfere than OBs, and they know more about you and your family situation which seems beneficial to me. Unfortunately my H's work changed insurance carriers last summer, or I would have stuck with her for this pregnancy. And under our new insurance I cannot find any family physicians that deliver, so I am giving an OB a try.

talkthewholetime · April 2016

What happens at OB appointments: you bribe the shit out of your toddler to stop yelling "no mommy doctor MY doctor" not pictured: munchkins

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/sl/n1ykyzjd0vyl.jpeg

Roxell · April 2016

@talkthewholetime First of all your kid is totally adorable! Second of all I love her beatles shirt! Did she pick that or you?

talkthewholetime · April 2016

Roxell said:

@talkthewholetime First of all your kid is totally adorable! Second of all I love her beatles shirt! Did she pick that or you?

@Roxell thank you! And me, haha.

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