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@auddurz91: Date twin! :) We went for our first prenatal and I had had spotting so she had me schedule an ultrasound at a separate location. If we hadn't gotten that one, I'd imagine the first one we'd get would be the 12 week genetic test one. Hang in there! I was disappointed because we weren't really able to see anything on the u/s. So I think it's better to wait :)
I am not pregnant, however, it is my understanding that you can typically hear the fetal heartbeat with a Doppler device between 10 and 12 weeks. In some women it's a bit earlier, and in some a bit later. I'm sure you're doctor will talk to you about what is normal :)
We had our first appointment @ about 5-6 weeks (according to my period I was further along, but I knew I wasn't!). My doc office has an ultrasound machine so they did one to confirm how far I was. Couldn't really see much! At 7 weeks (will you be 8 at your appointment?) You should actually be able to see a little bean in there. It all depends on your doc...if they have machine...if they feel need for ultrasound. Good luck!
Honestly, I probably wouldn't count on an ultrasound. There is a chance they will listen for the hb on a doppler but until they do a first trimester screening ultrasound you won't get one unless needed.
They usually do an ultrasound to figure out a more precise due date. You won't hear a heartbeat till 10-12 weeks but what you would see would be something that looks like a Lima bean with a flicker.
At our first appointment it was just an exchange of information. They got my health info and gave me some basics about pregnancy. The ultrasound got scheduled for 2 weeks later, and for us it was good because I ovulated late so our little girl wasn't quite as far along as we thought and would have been freaked out if we had looked earlier.
@auddurz91: the first one, you won't usually hear the heartbeat. They talk to you about your health history, his health history, advise you to take a prenatal, give you a goody bag (at least mine does/did), and usually send you on your way.
Sometimes, they'll schedule you for an ultrasound if there's a question of the due date or if something else is going on.
Also, they use a Dopplar device, NOT an ultrasound to hear the heartbeat. It's possible they MIGHT try, if you ask. Maybe. It depends on the office, I think.
At every dr. appointment I've been to, they did the dopplar and it's pretty fun hearing the heartbeat. Especially when the baby gets to the point where it tries to hide or run from the device! Both mine did this... I think they were either playing with the dr or just didn't like the dr! LOL!
Also, the dopplar is covered, it's pretty standard and a good way for the to determine how the baby is doing.
Congrats! Hope you have a problem-free pregnancy!!!
Our first appoinment was at 8 weeks and we had an ultrasound, but I also had a friend who didn't have her 1st ultrasound until 12 weeks
When I had my first appointment at 10 weeks my doctor did a vaginal ultrasound and we got to hear the heartbeat :)
My doctor does an information only appt at 8 weeks, and wouldn't do an ultrasound until later, like 12 weeks. But, I got to schedule one right away after my first appointment since I do not have regular cycles and estimating due date based on last period was unreliable. Also, if you're spotting, or anything weird is going on, they might want to take a look right away.
I think it really depends on both the doctor and the needs of the patient. I had a vaginal ultrasound for that first appointment around 6-7 weeks.
@Janna19: very true. Not to mention insurance.
What one insurance company will allow, another might not. And, of course, the doctors have to go by the insurance companies' rules.
OP, You can always call the office and ask them what to expect. It's not unusual or unreasonable and you'll know what to take and who to bring. :)
good luck and let us know how it goes!!!!
Our first one was at 6 weeks at our first prenatal appt. We could see the teeny tiny heart flickering, but didnt hear it until 10 weeks. Thye did a vaginal u/s for us at that point BTW
one good thing about knowing is that if your husband is there you can prep him. I had no idea what to expect and found out later that my husband was a bit taken aback when the Dr use the vaginal ultrasound!!
you can hear the tiny little heart beat through vaginal ultrasound as early as 6 weeks, its amazing, get ready for the tears and emotions when you hear that little ticker and the baby looks like a little blob haha adorable!
its like this woosh-woosh-woossh very fast
@Janna19 haha yes! I told my DH in advance that it was going to be transvaginal and he was still surprised when we went. He asked me afterwards if I had an orgasm... WTF?
@firsttimemom: Haha, your husbands comment made me laugh. My husband said he was a bit turned off by the though of an older obese lady sticking something up there.
@firsttimemom: My doc actually did a regular ultrasound at 7 weeks. I was totally prepared for a vaginal one because of what I'd read (mostly because a lot of people were surprised by it).
He had a handheld one that he used that was smaller than the one they used for the anatomy scan. I guess it depends on their equipment.
@camrie: I had both done at our first u/s (9 weeks) she did the surface one first to take all the appropriate measurements I guess and then did the transvaginal one to take the measurements of the baby, record the heart beat, etc. I guess it's different for everyone.
@firsttimemom: That's cool! I didn't realize they'd do both. He did all my measurements from the surface one (but I was only 7 weeks so maybe there wasn't much to see).
Luckily all the appointments my husband has been at my doc has just been checking the heartbeat with the doppler and my fundal height...I'm sure once we get closer and it's more invasive he'll get a little freaked out.
Congratulations! I wouldn't count on an u/s for this first appt - it depends on your OB and how his/her office operates - but it is possible :) I had my first appt at 8 weeks and had an u/s, but it was kind of spur of the moment. The bulk of the appt was a urine test to confirm the pregnancy, some time with the OB to ask questions, and a quick pelvic exam just to feel my uterus and stuff (not a pap and pelvic). and sent me home with two photos.
I have to disagree with a few PPs...i got to hear the heartbeat at 8 weeks! it might depend on how advanced your provider's equipment is, but it's definitely possible. the baby just looked like a little jelly bean :)
good luck!
I feel like all doctors are different. If you're very curious, I'm sure you could call and ask what happens at your first OB apt.
My doctor only does an ultrasound if there's something wrong (bleeding, cramping, etc) before the 12 week apt. They only do it at the 12 week apt. if you request to do testing, otherwise they'd just listen for the heartbeat. Then they have the 20 week ultrasound and that's it, again unless something is wrong.
WE had our ultrasound the first visit.. They told us it was one baby.. but we did not yet get to hear the heartveat... That will be the next one.
Well my first appointment went great, they didn't do an ultrasound but they did schedule me one for tomorrow afternoon just to get a better idea as to how far along I am.
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Ok I'm 7 weeks (according to last period) and my first prenatal apointment is this coming Friday. I'm just wondering if they'll do an ultrasound. I REALLY want to hear my baby's heartbeat!!! I'm also on medicaid and I don't know i that will eect when they do ultrasounds and how many they'll do. When did you other mommies/soon-to-be-mommies have your first ultrasound?