1st appointment

[jward1274]

Is it normal for an obgyn to have you wait until your 8 weeks to come in for your first visit?

[adgal]

Lol, I remember people telling me to "just relax and stop worrying"..umm, ok.  I mean, how do you do that?  When we want something so badly, it is so natural to worry.  My goodness, you are great!  I was a basket case as some of the ladies that have been around awhile will tell you.  It's so hard to just let go and trust it will be ok.  Unfortunately, there is just no other way.  I'll tell you what I did.  I got up every day and said to myself "just for today, I will celebrate and enjoy being pregnant".  Next thing I knew I was through the first trimester, had had my first scans and was into the honeymoon phase of pregnancy.  The worry does subside some in the second trimester..at least it did for me.

Your going to worry.  It comes with the territory.  And it is so frustrating that there just doesn't seem to be any reaction from Dr.'s.  I mean, they should be doing something right?  How well I remember.  Hang in there.  Try to enjoy.  I won't tell you not to worry, because your going to.  Just try not to let the worry override the happiness.  I did and I still regret it.  ((hugs)) and keep posting.  It helps to get it all out, and this is a safe place to do that.  

[jward1274]

Thank you for your comforting words. I really appreciate it and needed to hear them as well. I feel like a 37 year old going on 16. I have been through heart surgery, lumpectomy on my breasts, and my most recent 2 pulmonary embolisms from birth control pills. Amongst so many other minor issues I have going on, this one seems to scare the heck out of me. Everything else was seriously like a breeze.  I guess I think I need to start enjoying being pregnant instead of adding the symptoms to the list of illness' I have. Again, thank you so much for your comforting words.

[adgal]

Alot of times monitoring in early pregnancy is only done if you are considered high risk (ie: a history or miscarriage like me).  Even then, not necessarily, it just depends on the Dr.  The thing is, if something should go wrong in the first 12 weeks, there just isn't anything they can do about it.  So unless there is a problem like bleeding, they just leave it alone. It's frustrating I know...we feel like we should be being monitored and in for u/s on a regular basis..at least I always feel that way.  

Yes, some Dr.'s monitor your bloodwork to see if your HCG levels are rising appropriately.  Slow rising, or not rising is an indicator that there is a problem with the pregnancy.  I can tell you this though..having those levels monitored creates a whole bunch of stress on it's own.  Same thing with a scan too early.  If it's too early to see the heartbeat, then stress is created there as well.

The cramping is super normal.  It it is worse then bad menstrual cramps, or accompanied by bleeding, then you should be looked at. What your feeling right now in terms of wanting to know what is going on is very very normal.  This is stressful! If you want, see your regular Dr. and ask that your blood levels be monitored, but it's really not necessary.  It does sound like there is no reason at all for concern.  All the best!

[jward1274]

Wow.. I see that I am not alone! You guys are totally right! The cramps are freaking me out too! No bleeding ( except a bloody nose today) which was weird and some pinching on my left pelvic area. I guess I have been psyching myself out so much that I get so worried, even if my eye twitches :-)   the 27 that can't come soon enough.  I was seriously about to run to an urgent care this passed weekend just to have a sono already! I calmed down and talked myself out of it.. and they didn't have sono equipment either so i really didn't have any choice.  I didn't realize I should follow up with my pcp. They took just the initial blood test but they never told me to come in. Hmmmmmm now I am concerned. Do they monitor laboratory work?

[JourneyJoJo]

Ours is 12 weeks.  Basically, your family doctor (or RE) monitors you for the first 12 weeks and then, if you make it, you're referred to an OB. Also, if you have a problem with your pregnancy and need to go to ER, you go to ER for the first 20 weeks, then after that you can go to Labor & Delivery, likely for the same reasons.  I'm assuming it's all cost related.

[Frstmommy]

Im 14 weeks n I have my first visit today, I was also freaking out about the constant cramps, but I wasnt bleeding so no one did anything. I even went to the ER... Everything was normal. B pacient, if u get spotting or bleeding of any sort go to the ER ....

[gokuangel]

I was 10 wks with my first appt I found out at 5wks so yeah it was pretty hard never being pg and feeling all those cramps I was so scared too! I just kept saying if im not bleeding and or spotting im ok it was hard but that 1st appt finally came and it was a HUGE sigh of relief! I didnt even feel pg but there was my baby with his tiny heart beating away! It will be worth it hang in there it ll go by faster than you think!!

[jward1274]

Thanks for your replies. I'm just concerned about the cramping that I would like to rule out an topic. I have a pretty large fibroid on my uterus and I was told that the risks are higher. Even after speaking with an obgyn, I'm just surprised that they wouldn't schedule at least a soon to verify. I tried calling a few offices and they all said 8-9 weeks for the first visit. My lmp was only 12/30.

[adgal]

It is normal.  Some OB's have you wait even longer then that.  This is because there isn't much an OB can do at that point of a pregnancy other then advise you to eat properly, take a good prenatal with folic acid, etc.  These are all things that your family Dr. can and should be telling you as well.  At 8 weeks an ultrasound can determine viabilty, and most OB's will then start wanting to monitor things like blood pressure, weight gain, etc.  They typically only see you earlier if you are considered higher risk.  Congrats on your pregnancy, and best of luck.

[Omacastrop]

Even though they say the first 3 months are the most important, I think they wait that long in case a woman miscarriages in those early weeks

[trying43]

Yep some wait even longer.