how many weeks pg when you first saw your o.b.?

[spu]

Just wondering what everyone else does... I saw my o.b. at 8 weeks, and he didn't do very much... is that too early? (he already has my history on file from being my o.b. with the twins 3.5 years ago...). I thought he would have done more of a check-up, pap and some routine bloodwork... does that come at the next visit? Is the first one, if it's early, more for a meet + greet and to confirm the pregnancy?

oddly enough, he did a u/s and recorded the baby's heartbeat, but couldn't find my cervix... that was about it.

thanks!


susan

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[divabell]

First of all, congratulations, Susan! :)

My 8-week visit was just w/ the nurse and she mostly took history and went over all the shoulds and shouldn'ts. Then at 12 weeks was when I first saw the doctor and heard the heartbeat. At least at my OB they don't do a pap unless you're due for one as a yearly checkup. I am drawing a blank about bloodwork... I think that might have been at 12 weeks also. Then I didn't have any more blood drawn until the glucose test at 28 weeks.

[mudder17]

Friends of mine have twins and when they found out they were pregnant again, they went to their OB fairly soon (but I don't remember the date exactly) and had blood tests done. They were able to figure out from the progesterone levels (I think that's correct) that they were probably having twins again--and they were!

I *think* my OB/Gyn saw me at 7 or 8 weeks for the first time and they took blood work, checked vital stats, and just talked about nutrition, etc. But my brain is a bit fuzzy on all of this. I am due for an appointment with him soon, so I can check with him, but I'm sure you'll get more answers before then. ;)

Congratulations again! I am so excited for you! You, as the mother of nursing twins, have always been one of my personal heroes. :)

ETA: I think that was 9 or 10 weeks after the first day of the last period, so 7 or 8 weeks after conception. I have this vague memory of hearing the heartbeat for the first time, too. :)

Eileen

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[hautemama15]

I was only 5 weeks because of my history of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. I have to have early monitoring until we see baby on ultrasound around 6 weeks and see a HB around 7 weeks. But, my OB did do the normal Pap and exam at my first appointment even though I wa sonly 5 weeks.

[psophia17]

My first visit with DS was at 7 weeks, I hadn't been in 6 months, and wasn't scheduled to go back until 12 weeks, so they ordered my bloodwork and did an internal exam, but no Pap since my last one had been within the year.

I'm wondering, though, how could your OB not locate your cervix? I hope it means he didn't look...I wouldn't have much faith in an OB/GYN who couldn't locate a cervix...

[rfeibelm]

Lori,

I just had to reply and tell you that I also have a Benjamin David - he's a March '04 baby. Great taste you have!

[spu]

My o.b. did an internal u/s at 8w - and my cervix is apparently high; he didn't want to force it for some reason and said he'd find it at my 12w appt... In my last pg. I had an incompetent cervix (which he thought was twin-related), so I was kind of surprised that he didn't want to see what's going on even at this early stage...

Even when I've had my recent paps since the twins were born, they've had to stop and go get longer speculums, and get into funky positions... apparently my uterus is also tipped which they said was a normal variation.


susan

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[tina-t]

Congratulations! I was seen at 7 weeks and had a vaginal u/s to confirm the pg and check the baby. I've had 2 m/c's in the past and that was why the OB did that.

[Melanie]

When I called my GYN and they said "We don't confirm pregnancy, we will see you at 8 weeks," I found a midwife. I found it hard to swallow that all over TV (at the time) were ads about how important it was to see a doctor when you are pregnant, yet mine would not see me.

I believe I saw a midwife around 6-7 weeks each time. And they did so gladly! They did usual blood work up, checked my blood pressure, listend for the heart beat (did not find it yet 2nd time, but did on the first.

I would strongly urge you to do some research before requesting a PAP in your first trimester.

[dawell0]

I'm early in my pregnancy #1 (around 6 weeks). They won't see me until almost 11 weeks. Actually they wanted to see me at the beginning of week 10 but I will be out of town, but then they just scheduled me for after I get back. They want to do a Pap, but I'm not going to let them since I just had one about 3 months ago. I think that it will probably be a waste of time at this doctor's office even at 11 weeks (they don't take blood there).

On the other hand I must say that it's a good thing that I read up a lot on the should's and should not's. My friend who is TTC #1 was amazed that you shouldn't have most drugs including scopolamine (the patch for seasickness) during pregnancy. She didn't know about avoiding lunchmeat, too much artificial sweeteners, etc.

[Jo..]

Susan,

I'm keeping a calender so I know *exactly* when my doctor's appointments were/are.

From reading other boards, it seems to vary widely depending on the doctor and the woman's situation.

I first saw the ob when DH and I started TTC.
I'm in a high-risk category and wanted any pre-conception info and advice he could give me.
I didn't get much though!

"Stop drinking the daily glass of wine because alcohol can be stored in body fat for up to 3 months, and start taking pre-natal vitamins".

At 6 weeks, I saw a nurse and gave her a complete history. Got some blood work done.

At 8 weeks, I saw the OB. Answered all the same questions again, had a physical exam, peed in a jar :), had a pap.
No attempt to find baby's heartbeat (they said it was too early, not sure if I believe them).

Now, at 13 weeks (today), I am going in for my first u/s and early risk assessment, etc.
They have me running all over the hospital at different times and told me to plan to be there 4-5 hours. I am terrified!
Wish me luck, and good luck to you too!

[Jo..]

I just re-read this post and it scared me a little. Is there a risk associated with having a first trimester pap? I googled it and can't find anything.

On a side note, good for you for being pro-active with your care and moving on when you felt uncomfortable with your ob! I too just cannot believe how much I hear that early medical care is so crucial, and yet I got *almost nothing* from my ob first trimester. Looking back, I should have switched. I still might.

[smilequeen]

I did bloodwork at about 4 weeks both times. The first time, they had me watch a video and gave me a bunch of what to do/not do paperwork. They also did all the insurance stuff and went over the typical pregnancy visit schedule.

I saw my OB at 6 weeks both times. The first appt. with the doctor she has done a pap and internal exam. The second pregnancy she scheduled an early u/s because of my history, which I had at 7 weeks.

[spu]

I just spoke with one of the nurses at Blue Cross Blue Shield's Living Healthy Babies program, and she said it's very common for o.b's to schedule the first visit at 12w, since alot can happen until then... That's a good point about having a pap in the first trimester. I wonder if there are any risks with that?

My DH will be with us at our 12w appt, along with my 3.5 yo DD twins, so it will be a full house... Even when I go with my list of q's, I always forget what we talked about, and end up having more q's on the way home, so it will be nice to have another brain with me to ask q's and keep me focused! :) It seems like an eternity waiting for the next appointment, doesn't it?!


susan

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