Post # 1
Member
4581 posts
Honey bee
I just got my BFP and my last period was Aug 5, so I’m about 4 weeks along. I didn’t have an OB/GYN already so I called this morning to get established with one. They wanted to make my first appointment (with just a nurse) for Oct 9 but I’ll be in Maine for our anniversary, so I had them make it for Oct 15. I’ll be about 10 weeks along at that point – does that seem late for a first appointment? I’m in the middle of switching PCP’s and my new doc won’t see me for a new patient appointment until March. When I asked them about doing a test to confirm pregnancy, they said just talk to my gyn. It seems weird to me to not even get a blood test to confirm.
Am I freaking out over nothing? I’m already on prenatals and I know pretty much what I should/shouldn’t be doing for a healthy pregnancy. So do I just wait? I feel like my first appointment really should be earlier but I didn’t want to tell the receptionist how to do her job, you know?
Post # 3
Member
3770 posts
Honey bee
It seems pretty standard to have the first visit until 8-10 weeks. That way you are nearly out of the time when most miscarriages happen. I know my doctor doesn’t do a pregnancy test either, the at home ones are just as accurate.
It is tough, but I would wait it out. Congratulations!
Post # 4
Member
5669 posts
Bee Keeper
I’ve heard that a lot of women go for their first appointment around 8/10 weeks. If the tests say you are pregnant, then you are pregnant. The first appointment usually consists of getting all your vitals for a baseline and doign a Pap if you haven’t had one in a while. I do remember reading all the what to expect books and everything said that most doctors won’t see you until 8 weeks, so I was actually surprised when my doctor took me earlier.
You also said you are going to a PCP and as a new patient, which may make a difference. I was already an established patient with my Obgyn and am considered high risk so my first appointment was at 4 weeks and my 1st ultrasound was at 6 weeks.
Post # 5
Member
1137 posts
Bumble bee
Pretty standard – I know the practices here won’t see you until 8-10 weeks. Now, if you start having issues or need something, you can still call them and see about getting in earlier. I had to do this due to extreme morning sickness.
I was seen at 7 weeks as I had to get a dating ultrasound done due to my LMP being in February and not ovulating until May (I was charting, but they wanted to make sure). It was basically just an ultrasound, some dos/donts, then I was on my way. My next visit around week 11/12 was a pap and all the standard first visit things.
Post # 6
Member
68 posts
Worker bee
Congratulations! Do not worry, many places will not even see you until you are 7 or 8 weeks along, and I have been to an OB who does not even do follow up pregnancy tests (I was working there while in school and was surprised at that) They will do an exam and ultrasound and make sure everything is healthy with baby, and do cultures to make sure everything is healthy with you. Just take your prenatal vitamins and don’t stress!
Post # 7
Member
5976 posts
Bee Keeper
I agree that 8-10 weeks is pretty standard. The only reason I went earlier is b/c I had prior losses, so they wanted to monitor me more closely! I think you’re fine at 10 weeks!
Congratulations!
Post # 8
Member
4581 posts
Honey bee
Thanks, Bees! You’ve put my mind at ease.
I don’t know if I would be considered high risk, though? I have pre-existing hypertension controlled by Methyldopa (the safest Bridal Party medication one can be on during pregnancy). My new PCP will continue to refill my prescriptions, even without seeing me, as long as I get my records transferred from my previous doc. I didn’t mention the hypertension to the OB receptionist. I imagine I’ll be ok until my appointment and I can discuss it then?
Post # 9
Member
275 posts
Helper bee
i went in at 9 weeks and 4 days. i found out super early, 3 weeks 5 days, so it was a long wait! so yes, fairly standard. i ended up with major complications toward the end of my pregnancy, so for my next one, i will be seen as soon as the line turns pink. happy and healthy 9 months to ya!
Post # 10
Member
494 posts
Helper bee
I went in at 8 weeks for the first appointment.
Post # 11
Member
5473 posts
Bee Keeper
I’ll be 11 weeks for my first appointment. It seems like we were always waiting for something… waiting to ovulate, waiting for AF, waiting during TWW, waiting for a BFP, waiting for an appointment, waiting to meet our new babies UGH!
Post # 12
Member
2775 posts
Sugar bee
Yeah, this is pretty standard. It surprised me, too, and my ob/gyn explained it more delicately than this, but the purpose of not seeing people sooner is to weed out the early miscarriages.
I was seen at 6.5 weeks, but only because I got pregnant on the pill and had no idea how far along I was since I was only having periods every 3 months. I had an ultrasound to date the pregnancy. My next appointment will be at 12 weeks.
Post # 13
Member
561 posts
Busy bee
My experience is shaping up to be the same as everyone else’s – intake appt at 7 weeks, an ultrasound and meeting with the doc at a later appt. I’ll have the 7-week appt on Monday, and from there we’ll schedule the next appointment.
I desparately want to get it scheduled before I travel to California. I’m mad to see a heartbeat.
Post # 14
Member
4581 posts
Honey bee
I really want to hear the heartbeat so that maybe it will actually feel real! I assume that won’t happen at my very first appointment with the nurse.
Post # 15
Member
678 posts
Busy bee
Popping in to add that our first U/S and appt is next Tuesday, I’ll be 7w6d…can’t wait, this board has definitely helped to calm some fears!! Your appt will come soon and Happy Early Anniversary!
Post # 16
Member
275 posts
Helper bee
@iheartnerds: without a transvaginal ultrasound, probably not. doppler usually can’t pick it up until later.