pregnancy doctor's appointmenta

[mommy22boys]

Hi,
I have a question. This isn't my first baby but I don't remember! What does the doctor do and check at the appointments in the first 20 weeks (besides listen to the heartbeat). As long as I get my blood tests done, is there anything to worry about if I don't go to the doctor's until I am 20weeks? (I will be out of town and not have access to any doctors until then.) Anything I should do besides take my prenatal vitamins?
Thanks in advance for any help and advice!

[lillymonster]

i guess it might also depend on your age or high risk factors.

At 8 weeks I got regular urine, sonogram for dating and referral for NT u/s and blood work (for regular stuff and toxo, cystic fibrosis carrier, and another urine test)

12 weeks I had my nt u/s, then 12 week appt she listened for heartbeat, checked blood pressure, gave me more meds for morning sickness and answered questions I had about my vbac.

They will see me again in 16 weeks, probably just another heartbeat check. Then I will have anatomy u/s at 20 weeks and maybe sequential blood testing for genetic issue.

Can you make an appointment before you leave and just explain to the doctors you have to go out of town and ask what they recommend?

[WifeofAnt]

I had a 10 week appointment (blood, urine, weight, blood pressure) and had a dating ultrasound then. Since we aren't doing any genetic testing or the NT scan my next appointment was 16 weeks. The 16 week appointment was urine, blood pressure, weight, doppler.

Tomorrow I have my mid-pregnancy ultrasound (at 18 weeks but can be done at 20 or 22) then I'll have another appointment at 20 weeks.

[Magali]

I didn't see a Dr. till 18 weeks. I would have waited longer, but I wanted the ultrasound at 20 weeks. I am low risk and I see no problem with waiting till 20 weeks, or beyond to see a Dr.

[mommy22boys]

Thanks for the replies! So sounds like it should be fine for me to not go until 20weeks. I already had a urine and blood tests done and I'm pretty low risk, I just have to start taking my vitamins, and eating a bit more healthy and I guess other than that I should be fine.

[HeatherB]

My only caution would be that some physicians automatically designate a mother as "high risk" if she hasn't had prenatal care before XX number of weeks. I think it's typically 24 or so, but I would think it best to at least find out what's expected and/or establish care before then.

[mommy22boys]

Oh really? Well I have been to my doctor's but I have had irregular periods so we are not sure of how many weeks I am. So she gave me all the paperwork to get my blood tests done and everything, but that's it... not prenatal care. I'm supposed to go for an ultrasound to see how far along I am but they are really booked up so I won't get in until after I get back home anyways. I just made my first prenatal appointment for when I get back, and the most I could be is 20 weeks by then.

[AustinMom]

If you are going through MWs I'd say you have less to worry about, because an OB will want to do a 'dating' u/s. I don't think these are necessary, and even ACOG says not to do u/s as a 'routine' procedure. So i think that would be the only thing you miss. Even if you wanted this u/s, it's best to do it well before 8-10 weeks to get the most accurate 'dating'

If you were going through a MW, she can help you over the phone and long distance (not through the entire preg. of course) but you can go to a drug store and check BP if you want. A lot of people wait till past 20 weeks to listen to babies heartbeat to avoid using a doppler and wait to usea fetoscope, so I'd say you are fine there too.

I'd focus (and I'm no MW of course) on hydration (minimum 2-3 qrts a day), high protein (min. 80-100grams a day), prenatals of course, high fiber, low sugar and low refined processed flours/grains, etc.

[EA77]

Also, if you're planning on getting the 19-22wk anatomy scan (most, but not all, carers require it), I'd suggest making that appointment now, as they are often booked out weeks in advance.

[Magali]

Originally Posted by mommy22boys

Oh really? Well I have been to my doctor's but I have had irregular periods so we are not sure of how many weeks I am. So she gave me all the paperwork to get my blood tests done and everything, but that's it... not prenatal care. I'm supposed to go for an ultrasound to see how far along I am but they are really booked up so I won't get in until after I get back home anyways. I just made my first prenatal appointment for when I get back, and the most I could be is 20 weeks by then.

Sounds like you've covered your bases. I wouldn't worry. It's always your choice how you want to do things anyways. I'm in Canada, not sure where u are, but the only flack I got was from receptionists thinking I was nuts for waiting so long to see someone. My Dr. has actually been pretty cool, although I know she thinks I'm a bit of a nut...but I can live with that.

[secondimpression]

Originally Posted by HeatherB

My only caution would be that some physicians automatically designate a mother as "high risk" if she hasn't had prenatal care before XX number of weeks. I think it's typically 24 or so, but I would think it best to at least find out what's expected and/or establish care before then.

ITA

I got the "high risk" label slapped on me by a CNM because I didn't make an appointment until a mere 14 weeks (I only went to that practice for an US referral that wouldn't be covered if my homebirth CNM wrote it). I never went back to that practice so don't know how future care would be affected.

To the OP, I also have to agree that if you're eating right and not doing anything crazy like illicit drugs, you're already doing everything you reasonably can to insure a healthy pregnancy.