Canada vs US appointments

kaylaakosua · January 2017

So I've seen some things happening at Drs appointments that I havent heard of here, maybe because I'm low risk or found out I was pregnant really late last time (16w) .

Canadian moms have you gotten the vaginal ultrasound ? What is the purpose for it? Is it routine? Is it used to date pregnancy?
And all the Hcg tests are the routine?

I have my first appointment early next week (I'll be 9w). But usually they make me pee in a cup, ask about family background and support, check heartbeat and that's it. I only had 1 physical exam and blood drawn once, I also only had one ultra sound (20w gender) but I know I will have a dating one.
My appointments have all been super casual, I wemt through a maternity clinic and kinda loved the hands off experience. They delivered baby and everything was great.

MyNamesTaken · January 2017

I'm in Ontario. This is my third pregnancy. Each time has been pretty much the same for me in terms of appointments.

I called when I got my BFP and went to the Dr to confirm the pregnancy with a urine test and get all the requisitions. Some time after 6w I go for a dating US. First two times I scheduled it asap and they couldn't see what they needed with the over the belly, so I got a transvaginal US (at the same time, not a separate appointment). This time I was past 7w so they could see with the regular US. I also got blood taken to check my immunity for a few things and to check for certain conditions (HIV and other diseases).

At 13 weeks I go for an IPS ultrasound where they check for neural tube deficiencies and other problems. There are two blood tests with this one (one immediately following the US and another 2 or 3 weeks later I think).

At 20 weeks is the anatomy scan.

ChefRamsay · January 2017

kaylaakosua said:

So I've seen some things happening at Drs appointments that I havent heard of here, maybe because I'm low risk or found out I was pregnant really late last time (16w) .

Canadian moms have you gotten the vaginal ultrasound ? What is the purpose for it? Is it routine? Is it used to date pregnancy?
And all the Hcg tests are the routine?

I have my first appointment early next week (I'll be 9w). But usually they make me pee in a cup, ask about family background and support, check heartbeat and that's it. I only had 1 physical exam and blood drawn once, I also only had one ultra sound (20w gender) but I know I will have a dating one.
My appointments have all been super casual, I wemt through a maternity clinic and kinda loved the hands off experience. They delivered baby and everything was great.

I'm in the US. This is about normal for a low risk pregnancy though. If you've never had a loss of IF issues, at my doctors office they won't see you until you're at least 8 weeks. The first appt is just to meet with a nurse to have them take down your background. They only do 1 U/S (the as) and no beta levels. They will do a vaginal U/S to date your pregnancy if you are unsure of your dates.

Most of the ladies on here that talk about early U/S and extra blood work have either had previous losses or IF issues or worked with an RE to get pregnant.

MyNamesTaken · February 2017

Whoops I forgot about the HCG part of your question. I've never had my HCG or progesterone measured but I'm not high risk. Everything I mentioned seems to be routine for everyone I know. I've never heard of anyone in Ontario only having one US. Everyone seems to get the 13 and 20 week scans and most get the dating scan at 6-7 weeks.

TW - my second pg was a MMC which was discovered at the 13 week scan. Even still, I don't have anything extra for this pg. I think if you have 2 or 3 consecutive losses or are seeing a fertility specialist you get the extra blood tests.

kailapop · February 2017

I'm considered a high risk pregnancy - Canadian style.

I had a dating ultrasound at 7 weeks, which was internal. I'm not meeting with my obstetrician until I'm 12 weeks.

No additional bloodwork though.

kaylaakosua · February 2017

I just called the maternity centre that I had my son with and the booked me for Feb 27th ( I'll be 11+6, I was hoping for next week (9w), but whatevs) and they aren't concerned again. It's far out because I will be travelling the 14th-21st. I'm so curious to know my exact due date though that I'm going to an ultrasound clinic just so I can have a picture next week to surprise FI (he doesn't think I'm getting a US until March).

I guess I'm considered extremely low risk as I didn't even do a glucose test last time (I was 21, now I'm 26).

I don't know why the internal ultrasound freaked me out so much, more than the giving birth part!
Thanks ladies for putting my mind at ease.
I do notice the increased amount of Drs appointments in the US vs here, even on the last board I was on (Mar12).

torileea · February 2017

Southern Alberta. They get you to come confirm with pee asap. First appt at 12 then monthly until 36
only do blood if your pee stick is inconclusive..
im getting a 12w scan for dating because my schedule is off.. and regular scan between 18-21

SuperKristy85 · February 2017

I not in Canada but what you're asking about isn't the norm in the US either. Most of our Drs dont do any blood tests or betas unless there is a concern with the pregnancy or a history of problems. And the vaginal ultrasound is just done early because it is hard to see anything through a traditional ultrasound before 10 weeks. I have noticed we have more appointments than mommas in other countries though.

mrs_tacos · February 2017

SuperKristy85 said:

I not in Canada but what you're asking about isn't the norm in the US either. Most of our Drs dont do any blood tests or betas unless there is a concern with the pregnancy or a history of problems. And the vaginal ultrasound is just done early because it is hard to see anything through a traditional ultrasound before 10 weeks. I have noticed we have more appointments than mommas in other countries though.

This. I only had betas because my weird uterus made it hard to see anything at my dating ultrasound, which I was only scheduled for because of previous losses. I don't think it's the usual MO.

awildrose · February 2017

I'm in the US.

With my first we had insurance issues and I didn't see my OB until I was 22weeks pregnant. We did the big scan then and I had another at 28 weeks. I had the GD testing around 28 weeks and had blood drawn then, but that was it. (I had the typical bloodwork done OOP from a basic doctor around 12 weeks and a pregnancy help center did a sonogram at 11 weeks.)

I lost my next baby early.

With my third pregnancy, my OB wanted me in early and weekly until we found a heartbeat, but I didn't have a sonogram, just checked for heartbeat. I don't remember the exact dates. I had a sonogram at 12ish weeks, the big one at 21 weeks, and another at 28 weeks. Bloodwork in first tri and again when I had the GD testing. I wasn't considered high-risk.

Now with pregnancy, I had a sonogram at 7 weeks and blood work. I have another sonogram at 12 weeks that I know of so far.

I've never had my HcG or beta levels checked. I've also never had a trans-vaginal sonogram.

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