A few questions about first visit.

[macha10]

Hello all,

I am about 10-11 weeks pregnant, and have my first visit with my OB today. I am actually doing a homebirth, so he is backup/parallel care (is there a difference?).

First question. I have pretty bad morning sickness and have not been eating well at all. Will this significantly affect any blood test results. Would it be better to wait to get bloodwork done until I feel better, or should I just go ahead and do it?

Secondly, is there really a need for an internal exam at this first visit? I had a pap done 2 months ago, and I know they don't require this again. My midwife said that there would be no need for an internal, as I have been pregnant before. What exactly are they checking for with an internal? And do you guys have any opinions on whether it is necessary?

I know I can refuse anything. The OB is the only guy in town who does back-up to homebirth, and I want to have a good relationship with him, so I don't want to stir the pot. Hopefully he won't have a problem if I don't want to do it. But what are the reasons for and against having an internal the first visit? (I never had internals during the rest of pregnancy)

Thanks!

[lillymonster]

Originally Posted by macha10

Hello all,
First question. I have pretty bad morning sickness and have not been eating well at all. Will this significantly affect any blood test results. Would it be better to wait to get bloodwork done until I feel better, or should I just go ahead and do it?

Do it now, it doesn't make a difference. I haven't been eating and lost weight and I did it, and nothing was wrong with my tests.

Originally Posted by macha10

Secondly, is there really a need for an internal exam at this first visit? I had a pap done 2 months ago, and I know they don't require this again. My midwife said that there would be no need for an internal, as I have been pregnant before. What exactly are they checking for with an internal? And do you guys have any opinions on whether it is necessary?

There should be no other reason for an internal other than pap. Unless they do an internal sonogram, I don't know when they stop doing those. I only had pap done because it had been over 2 years. Oh wait, she did check my uterus location, but I don't believe that was internal, it was just because I was laying down.

[JessieBird]

Do you know for sure that the OB will want to do an internal exam? As far as I know, internal exams are not standard anymore except for when there is a need for either a pap, which you don't need, or a transvaginal ultrasound, which is very unlikely given how far along you are.

If the OB says they want to do an internal, I think you have to ask why and then decide. This is perfectly reasonable and shouldn't cause any offence.

As for your blood tests, go ahead and do them. Your morning sickness won't affect them.

Congratulations and I hope your appointment goes well!

[macha10]

No, I have no knowledge that the OB does require the internal. I wasn't sure if this was a standard practice. My last pregnancy, a different OB did one the first visit, but come to think of it she may have done a pap too. Also, the CNMs that I transferred to last time did an internal, to feel my uterus I guess, during the first visit, even though I wasn't gettting a pap done.