how long was it from when you found out you were epecting till first prenatal visit?

[MacMacMoo]

We are on vacation but somethings been bugging me: if my primary care is being an ass about releasing me to the OB clinic on base.

So the time line went like this: We found out that we were expecting on a Saturday morning. Monday morning I call the doctor and they said the earliest they could see me was in two weeks. Fine whatever... I schedule the appointment. But as the days pass I started to wonder what if something happens between now and then?

Well in turned out the OB clinic midwives were having an ice cream social one Thursday following, and I got an invite. I talked the midwife I dealt with for Matthew and I was looking forward to seeing again. Told her that I expecting and she asked when I'd be in their care. I said my doctor wouldn't be able to see me to release me for two weeks. She had the "that doesn't sound right" look and dragged me into the clinic hunting for one of the other OB and asked if I had to pee for my doctor or if she could just release me. He said that I didn't need an appointment that I just needed to call and asked to be released. (Make matters worse the OB is getting full and the chances of getting midwife again were very slim)

So I call the doctor again, but they said I have to come in to pee, but there was a cancellation so they had an opening the coming Monday. Fine whatever. put me down.

Well that evening we miscarried. the on call doctor at first didn't think it was anything. But after further discussion finally consent to recommend going to the ER.

I know it's my fault for taking a whatever attitude, but I didn't have to deal with this insurance with my last two. I'm not a pushy person so I whining for an earlier appointment didn't occur to me.

So what was the time line from the time you found out till you had your first prenatal visit... and if you had to see your primary first what that time line looks ed.

[swrc00]

I had to wait until 8 weeks. I did have some spotting though and was seen at 6 weeks. I think most practices make you wait until you are 8 weeks. I was able to go straight to my OB.

[shawnandangel]

I was 7 weeks pregnant when I was seen by my OB. I had known I was pregnant for about 2 weeks.

[okinawama]

I am so sorry for your loss!

We too are military and I know how slow things can be.

I found out I was pregnant, called OB and they said that the earliest I could request a referal was 6 weeks. I did so at 6 weeks, didn't receive the referal until 10 days later, made an appointment where they told me the earliest they see peopleis at the 10 week mark. So, I was seen at 10 weeks 2 days.

[elephantmeg]

12 weeks. The midwife/OB group I see brings you in at 8 wks to see the nurse educator to get your history etc and blood work and you have your first OB or midwife apt at 12 weeks. If you're having the nuchal screen done you come in for that at 10-12 weeks I think it was...

[MissyAg94]

10 weeks. We are military as well. We were PCSing within days of my positive test so I waited until I got to the new base to contact a PCM. I did have to go in for blood work (@ about 8 weeks) before they wrote the referral but I didn't need an appointment. The OB/GYN couldn't see me for a couple of weeks after that.

[DebbieJ]

I got to go in and pee in a cup pretty early as that did not require a doctor appt, just a nurse.

The first prenatal visit was 12ish weeks.

So sorry for your loss!

[kijip]

Many places won't see you till after 8-11 weeks, I think at least in part to the high number of early losses.

I am sorry for your loss. There is very little to nothing that can be done to prevent an early loss after you are pregnant. Don't let yourself feel guilty for not getting in sooner, you would have still miscarried with the doc visit. A miscarriage is always hard but it must be even harder after a birth loss. I am so very sorry that this happened to you.

[mytwosons]

I'm so sorry for your loss!

My OB/midwife practice doesn't schedule the initial appt until 8-10 weeks. They don't even have you come in to test - said the home tests are accurate. I asked why the wait and was told it was because there isn't anything for them to do that early in the pregnancy (they make sure you are on a prenatal prior), but mainly because so many pregnancies don't make it that far.

Again, I'm so sorry for your loss.

[Green_Tea]

12 weeks. My OB practice doesn't see anyone before that.

I am so sorry for your loss :(. There is rarely anything that can be done to prevent a loss in the first trimester, though it's hard not to overthink in that situation.

Sending lots of positive vibes your way!

[pinkmomagain]

My dr never wanted to see me earlier than 8 weeks.

[SnuggleBuggles]

8-10 weeks, iirc.

Beth

[JBaxter]

My last 2 I was in by 7ish weeks. NT scans are done before 14 weeks so the practice I go to wants to see you in advance of that to get one scheduled.

Yes squeeky wheel gets the grease.

[swissair81]

My OB never wanted to see me before 8 weeks from my LMP either. Inevitably, that ends up being about 6 weeks because I'm never due when my LMP says I am. I did have 2 pregnancies that I called the OB and begged to come in because of issues- once was a mc & the other was spotting early during the next pregnancy.

I have never needed a referral or release from my PCP. I'm not even sure he knows I was pregnant.

[misshollygolightly]

I agree with other posters--I think 8-12 weeks is pretty standard (both because there's not much for them to do and because of the likelihood of first trimester losses). I'm so sorry for your loss--hopefully knowing this will reassure you that there's nothing that you did "wrong" or should have done differently or anything. :hug:

[luckytwenty]

I've been pregnant 3 times and in 3 different cities/states. The first two times, they didn't want to see me until I was 8-12 weeks (or once in the first trimester.) This time, this OB wanted me to come in right away, as soon as I called. I was only 5 weeks and it actually was silly, because there was no HB yet on the ultrasound and she made me come back 2 weeks later to confirm it, and then again in 4 weeks. So I had 3 prenatal appointments by the time I was 11 weeks. If it had been my first pregnancy, I'm sure I would have just been stressed out by the 5 week visit.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I don't think you could have done anything to prevent it, and I don't think early first tri visits are good for much aside from patient education (don't drink or smoke, etc.) ultimately.

[egoldber]

I think it just depends. Honestly, with your history, I would expect an OB to want to see you earlier. With my first and second pregnancies, I was not seen until later in the pregnancy (0-12 weeks). But then I had three first trimester losses, and after the first loss, they did want to see me earlier with each pregnancy for monitoring ultrasounds. I always found those comforting, but some people find them stressful, so it is quite individual. I also ended up getting testing done by an infertility specialist and needed supplementation in the first trimester (progesterone and estrogen and baby aspirin).

It also depends a bit on age. If you want to do the NT first trimester screening, that needs to be done in a very narrow time band in order to be accurate. So if you want to do that, then they will probably want to do an early ultrasound (6-8 weeks) in order to get a confirmation dating on the pregnancy. Ultrasounds done earlier are more accurate for dating than those done later.

[khalloc]

With my first I think I found out I was pregnant around 4 weeks and I got to see the doctor at 8 weeks. So I had a 4 week wait, which i think was normal.

With my 2nd I found out I was pregnant at about 5 weeks, and when I called the doc they couldnt see me until I was at the 10 week mark. It didnt bother me to wait that long. I just go right to my OB each time.

[daisymommy]

3 week wait. I was told (by two different places I've been for care) that they would not try to retain a pregnancy before 12 weeks (I think it was), so even if something were to happen before that first visit, there wasn't anything they could/would do anyway. I was told just don't drink, smoke, take any medications without calling to ask first; just sit tight until the first appointment.

This was the response at both a large well-respected womans OB/GYN center (10 providers), and a large midwives center (8 providers).

[o_mom]

With my second, I never saw my PCP, just straight to the OB. I was around 8 wks for the first appt, though I didn't have any idea how far along I was - they just guessed based on my HCG levels when they booked the appointment (they ordered bloodwork based on symptoms).

With my third, the PCP ordered bloodwork and as soon as it was positive they sent me to the OB. The OB did some blood draws at 5-7 wks to check progesterone and HCG levels, but didn't actually see me until 8 wks.

[gcc2k]

I found out I was pregnant around 4-5 weeks and called the doctor the next day. They don't see people until 8-9 weeks, and with my schedule I couldn't make an appointment until 10 weeks. Then at that first appointment when my OB did the first ultrasound he said I was actually 11 weeks.

I'm sorry for your loss.

[Dream]

I'm sorry for your loss. The first time I saw my OB at 5 weeks and this time around I waited till about 8 weeks. With my insurance I don't need a referral to see a doctor so that helps.

[edurnemk]

I found out I was pregnant on a Thursday, called my OB's office and got an appointment for the following Monday. I was 5 weeks along. I went straight to my OB.

I'm sorry for our loss. Don't blame yourself.

[AnnieW625]

With all three of my pregnancies it was right around 7 to 8 weeks.

[lowrioh]

With DD1 they saw me at 7 weeks for an US to confirm the pregnancy and then I saw the Dr at 8 weeks.

With this pregnancy I saw the Dr at 5 weeks but that is because I had three first trimester losses. I was very surprised that they wanted to see me and honestly it was really unnecessary. I went in again at 7 weeks for an US and my first appointment with PAP etc.

From what I understand, most early pregnancy losses are due to chromosomal issues and early prenatal care isn't going to help avoid them. If you are in that situation again, I would stress on the phone that you have had previous losses and that you would like to see a Dr/midwife sooner rather than later. I don't know that it is medically necessary, but it would put your mind at ease if nothing else.

ETA: I think that the new health care legislation will force private insurance companies to allow women access to their OB/GYN without a referral....aka direct access. This is the law in MD so I've never needed a referral. I"m not sure when this goes into effect though.
http://www.healthreform.gov/newsroom/new_patients_bill_of_rights.html

"The new rules make clear that health plan members are free to designate any available participating primary care provider as their provider. The rules allow parents to choose any available participating pediatrician to be their children’s primary care provider. And, they prohibit insurers and employer plans from requiring a referral for obstetrical or gynecological (OB-GYN) care. All of these provisions will improve people’s access to needed preventive and routine care, which has been shown to improve the health of those treated and avoid unnecessary health care costs. These policies apply to all individual market and group health insurance plans except those that are grandfathered."

[infocrazy]

I see a nurse at 6 wks for history/bloodwork, then the doctor between 9 and 11 weeks. FWIW, even after we lost DS3 (from a very rare cord issue at 22 wks), my pregnancy care was the same for DD because they considered it a normal pregnancy--they did do an additional u/s at about 28 wks but more for my reassurance than anything else. I had a M/C prior to DS1 as well at 6 weeks.

I'm sorry for your loss.

[Nooknookmom]

Well...I didn't know I was preggo w/ DD1 until I was 3 months along! Weird menstrual schedules were the norm for me and I had no symptoms until then.

DD2 was at about 9 weeks.

[amldaley]

We are on vacation but somethings been bugging me: if my primary care is being an ass about releasing me to the OB clinic on base.

So the time line went like this: We found out that we were expecting on a Saturday morning. Monday morning I call the doctor and they said the earliest they could see me was in two weeks. Fine whatever... I schedule the appointment. But as the days pass I started to wonder what if something happens between now and then?

Well in turned out the OB clinic midwives were having an ice cream social one Thursday following, and I got an invite. I talked the midwife I dealt with for Matthew and I was looking forward to seeing again. Told her that I expecting and she asked when I'd be in their care. I said my doctor wouldn't be able to see me to release me for two weeks. She had the "that doesn't sound right" look and dragged me into the clinic hunting for one of the other OB and asked if I had to pee for my doctor or if she could just release me. He said that I didn't need an appointment that I just needed to call and asked to be released. (Make matters worse the OB is getting full and the chances of getting midwife again were very slim)

So I call the doctor again, but they said I have to come in to pee, but there was a cancellation so they had an opening the coming Monday. Fine whatever. put me down.

Well that evening we miscarried. the on call doctor at first didn't think it was anything. But after further discussion finally consent to recommend going to the ER.

I know it's my fault for taking a whatever attitude, but I didn't have to deal with this insurance with my last two. I'm not a pushy person so I whining for an earlier appointment didn't occur to me.

So what was the time line from the time you found out till you had your first prenatal visit... and if you had to see your primary first what that time line looks ed.

The naval hospital DD was born at makes everyone wait 8 weeks. That said, if you have any reason to be a "complicated" patient, be it past miscarriages, genetic issues or your own health issues which could be problematic, the nurse assess and can give an appointment sooner.

I would call your Dr back and ask for a sooner appt. If your PCM can't get you in sooner, ask to see a different doc. You do not have to go to your assigned PCM if they can not fit you in. See if the nurse indicates if it is policy or if it is just a lack of appointments. Military bases all over are overloaded in the OB wards. Here, if you live off base, you automatically are seen by an OB out in town unless you have complications b/c they are so darn overloaded with all of these return & reunion babies!

[boltfam]

So sorry for your loss. My OB didn't see me until I was 8-10 weeks along.

[WolfpackMom]

Went straight to OB, I dont even have a primary care physician. The OB sees people at 8-10 weeks and also goes by the home test, but I ended up in early at 5 weeks due to early spotting etc.

[frgsnlzrds]

I'm sorry for your loss. I had to wait 6 weeks. It was kind of a letdown because literally the second that stick showed a positive I was proudly announcing to the receptionist at the doctor's office I was pregnant. She laughed at me and told me to come in at 6 weeks.