So what's first?

[mum2be]

From what I've read, the first check-up is at 6-8 weeks? Is that from the moment you conceived, or the day of your missed period? Do I call now and set the appt. up or wait?

Also, I have a bunch of questions...anyone who could help me out would be great!

1) If I'm sure I will be using a midwife, do I still go to an OB or can the midwife do all that/

2) Judging by my charts, I have low progesterone (got it tested last week and it was at 11.5...isn't that low??) so I've been using a natural p cream. My doc says there's nothing to worry about and I shouldn't be using the p cream. Can it hurt? I know that miscarriages are tied to low p, so I worry.

3) Is it normal not to feel anything yet? No sore boobs, no nausea, no cravings or aversions...Just because I don't feel these things doesn't mean there's anythign to worry about, right?

4) When should I start looking for and contacting midwives, etc.?


Thanks ladies!!!

[Guest*]

Most 1st appts are 10-12 weeks. I'll be waiting a little bit longer than that this time because I want to pay my midwife in full at the first appt and need some extra time to come up with money.

1. If you will be using a midwife, just go to the midwife. No need to see an OB.

2. I don't know much about levels and progesterone. All I know is the if *I* had low levels, I would not do anything. Perhaps my body runs lower naturally. If it means m/c, well, I believe those happen for a reason and wouldn't want to interfere. This can be a controversial subject, so you need to come to your own conclusions and own your decision.

3. Yep! Normal to not have symptoms. With my first pregnancy, I didn't have any until 9 weeks or so. Some women have very few or no symptoms.

4. You could start looking for and contacting midwives for initial interviews now if you like!

Really, the only thing you need to be doing differently is the obvious:

1. Stop drinking, smoking, taking drugs (including prescription. If your life depends on a medication, talk to your doc before quitting).

2. Start eating a healthy pregnancy diet, like the Brewer Diet (Google it, it's at Blue Ribbon Babies, or something like that)

3. Start taking a good prenatal vitamin. If you don't know what makes a good prenatal, just go get any vitamin labelled "prenatal," then ask your midwife for suggestions when you meet with her. The prenatal of my preference is Enzymatic Therapy brand. It's $26 for a two-month supply at Whole Foods. I couldn't find it with this pregnancy, so I'm taking a good multi-vitamin and a folic acid supplement because the multi doesn't have enough of that. I'll switch when it's back in stock.

4. Relax and enjoy your pregnancy!

[chalynm]

I second most of what jlpolzin said.

Around the end of the 1st tri for the 1st checkup.

1) If you know you want a m/w, don't even go near an OB. In my experience they tend to try to change your mind about natural birth.

2) I used a progesterone cream at the beginning of my cycle when preparing for this pg because I had a stretch of cycles w/ short luteal phases. But everywhere I read about it says only to use it for a specific time period. Even for menopausal women, it says to take a break (5 days, I think). Ask the m/w, when you find one.

3) I haven't been lucky enough to have no symptoms at this point w/ either pg, but I know some women who are that way, so yeah, I'd say that's normal.

4) I would definitely start looking for a m/w now...and a doula, too, if you'd like to have one of those also. It doesn't happen often, but sometimes it's hard to find one w/ an opening, especially w/ doulas, which I would highly recommend, if you haven't thought about it.

The only thing I disagree w/ is stopping all meds. I have severe clinical depression, and w/o my meds during pg, I am totally unable to function. I know it's best to be med free, but you can't have a happy, healthy baby w/o a happy, healthy mom. If you do decided to continue meds during the pg, do some research and know the risks and possible side effects. We actually know more about the effects of my meds than my m/w does! Whatever you do, just make sure it's what you believe is best for you and the baby.

Other than that, definitely relax and enjoy! It's so different w/ #2...

[heartmama]

To answer one question, your pregnancy is counted from the first day of your last period. The day your period is due, and you take a test that says you are pregnant, you are already considered '4 weeks along' at that point. I know that technically the baby is only 2 weeks old. But they call it 4 weeks. I don't know why. Right now most of us here are 5 or 6 weeks along.

[heartmama]

To answer one question, your pregnancy is counted from the first day of your last period. The day your period is due, if you take a test that says you are pregnant, you are already considered '4 weeks along' at that point. I know that technically the baby is only 2 weeks old. But they call it 4 weeks. I don't know why. Right now most of us here are 5 or 6 weeks along.

[mum2be]

Originally Posted by heartmama

To answer one question, your pregnancy is counted from the first day of your last period. The day your period is due, if you take a test that says you are pregnant, you are already considered '4 weeks along' at that point. I know that technically the baby is only 2 weeks old. But they call it 4 weeks. I don't know why. Right now most of us here are 5 or 6 weeks along.

Really? That's crazy! My last period was Nov. 28!! So when people say between 10-12 weeks for your first check-up, you count from your last period? That means in another month I'll be going for a check-up!! Woohoo

Thanks for all the info everyone

[jadzia's_mommy]

I'm seeing the mw tomorrow, just to talk nutrition and plans for testing and stuff like that. At some point in the pregnancy, I am required to visit with the "backup OB". He's the guy who will get called in just in case. So I've decided to do that sooner rather than later, and just have them do the ultrasound so I can figure out what the heck my due date is. So that'll be in a couple or 3 weeks.

If you don't have a mw, I'd agree that you should start looking now. Talk to friends, make some calls. The birth center I go to does regular orientation tours on saturdays.

It is weird how you're "pregnant" for 2 weeks before you even conceived. I never quite got that one.

[skye's mama]

Originally Posted by mum2be

From what I've read, the first check-up is at 6-8 weeks? Is that from the moment you conceived, or the day of your missed period? Do I call now and set the appt. up or wait?

Just be aware that if you do go to an OB, they might want to do a routine ultrasound to "confirm" the pregnancy. Since there is some controversy about the use of routine ultrasounds, you might want to read up on this beforehand.

[SammyLucasNHarper]

I think if the doc says its OK to go off the p cream...do it...I guess you could get a second oppinion...but, I tend to trust what they say.

I didnt even know I was pg with my ds until I was like 8 weeks along...up until that point I only had sore nipples...

With my DD I found out about 4.5 weeks and I didnt have anything until around 8 weeks..maybe TENDER nipples but not sore..

this time my boobs were sore for 2 days...but it could have been that they were being abused by a sick baby...I was actually starting to think it wasnt going to happen this cycle for us because i was feeling NOTHING...

I wouldnt mind not having any symptoms this time around : because I get BAD morning sickness!