What do OBs do?

[Megan73]

I'm having my first visit with a high-risk OB tomorrow at 12 weeks.
I've only had MW care in the past so I'm wondering what unnecessary interventions I'll have to fend off.
I'm expecting them to want to do a vaginal exam and weigh me.
Anything else?

[Naomismom]

also

-pee in a cup
-blood pressure
-probably an ultrasound or doppler
-send you for blood work

[momoftworedheads]

For my first visit with Peri(preconceptionally), they did not even weigh me. We went into a nice little office and talked about why I was there and their plan for you based on that. The one I met with recently was really nice. He left time for questions and told us to call him if we had any more questions. They did send me for bloodwork afterwards.

Now when I was pregnant with my last son and went to Peri, I would go, get an u/s, they would go over it with me and then based on this, I would either have more testing or I'd go home. I went to them once a month from 10 weeks to 26 weeks. Then I went bi-weekly until 32 weeks and weekly until delivery. The Peri was the one who decided when I delivered Christian. I saw her on a Monday afternoon and was induced that night.

From my experiece, they are usually really kind and understanding and know that you have lots of concerns. They do take extra time with you, especially if they know you have had a loss.

Best wishes to you! I hope you have a great visit.

Jen

[Shelsi]

It soooo depends on the OB. It really does. I know they are villianized a lot her on MDC but it doesn't mean they are all bad. You can find some really caring ones who might offer interventions but don't care if you object and will follow your wishes. They are not all evil and I don't think it's a good idea to go in expecting to not like the OB, kwim? Also if you don't click with this one then call around and set up some interviews.

As for "interventions" for the first appt...I had an OB with my first, I wasn't high risk or anything but I can tell you what they did: I was weighed, peed in a cup, got blood drawn for the first appt, did have a pelvic exam although I hadn't had one in a long while so it was needed, and they used the doppler to try and find the heartbeat. Other than that, my OB just asked if I had any questions, and went over some really basic pregnancy stuff with me. Oh and I was unsure about dates so I had a dating u/s.

[Jane]

You'll probably have a considerable discussion of your pregnancy history, and you may be delaying some of the discussion until after you get records sent to the new guy/gal.
You might be set up to get lots of blood work - either at the office or on a following day or at the lab.
You might be set up to get an ultrasound - either at the office or at a separate facility.

You will have an opportunity to work to create a plan that works for you and the dr. and your baby - you might negotiate some care closer to home, for example, if the high risk ob is a long way from home. You could talk about what hospitals that dr. delivers at - what hospital has the best NICU - what criteria will the dr. want to induce labor for. It should be a plan you craft together.

[blissful_maia]

If it is your first prenatal, probably a Pap and swabs, also. Blood work, physical exam (including breast exam), health history. Auscultation of the fetal heart (sometimes) with Doppler.

It's up to you to decide what you think is important in your prenatal care. Not everything any care provider does is evidence-based and optimal for your individual situation.