Weddingbee boards

I would say head to your regular doc.  A lot of insurance companies make you get a referral from your PMD for a specialist anyway, and sometimes primary docs do OB too!

I called my regular doctor's office (family practice) but was told that she (my doctor) was not an OBGYN and they had none on staff, so while I could come in for a blood test if I wanted I was kind of on my own for that. I asked for suggestions for a referral but I didn't really anything good- I did NOT like the place she suggested.

I ended up just asking around people in the area where they went and found a great doctor and clinic that I really like.

I don't know if it makes sense to go in to your regular dr. for a blood test since whatever OBGYN clinic you end up picking will probably also have you do a blood test- kind of a waste of money. And if they are willing to use the results from your doctor, you still have to take extra steps and sign extra forms and in some cases, pay money to have your files sent over. I think it is just easier to pick an OBGYN and start from there.

And Congratulations!

Congratulations!

If you don't already have an OBGYN, just call your regular doctor and ask him what you should do.  If he says go see an OBGYN instead of him, you can ask for a recommendation.  If you already have an OBGYN or know of one you'd like to try, call them directly and see if they are taking new patients.

@bells

I didn't bother with my regular doctor; I just called the OBGYN. I was about 7 weeks when I called, and they had me make an 8 week appt and a 12 week appt at once. The 8 week appt was pretty boring- I had a urine test and we went over medical history. Because I was not sure when I had ovulated, they said I would need an U/S. However, they had to make sure I was far enough along, so I had a blood test to determine how much of the hormone was in my blood (since I had such long cycles, it was possible I was only 4 weeks along instead of 7). So, I had the blood test, and they said any level over 10,000 was enough for an U/S. I didn't get my results right away, but I think they called after a couple hours.

Looking back now, I am not sure they would have had me take a blood test if they weren't looking for HCG levels anyway. But it really wasn't that bad.

@bells: Some of that depends on your doctor.  When I went in to my OBGYN with a postive HPT, I never had to take another one or have blood drawn to confirm.  They did a transvaginal ultrasound to confirm at 5 weeks and we went from there.  If you end up going to your family practice doctor first, they will likely either do another pee on a stick or do a blood test, whatever they feel comfortable with. 

Every doctor is completely different. I went straight to my OB and I did a pee test to confirm the pregnancy, then at my first "real appointment" they ordered a bunch of blood tests (8 tubes of blood!) And I don't get an US until my 10 week appointment.

Good luck finding an OB and congrats!