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First Medical Appointment  

post #1 of 37
8/26/08 at 4:08pm
Thread Starter 
How many of you have already been to a doctor?

Did you get ultrasounds?

I haven't gone to a doctor yet, I plan to do so within the next week or so. But I want to know what to expect...
post #2 of 37
8/26/08 at 4:19pm
At my old OB's office the first appointment was just a quick blood draw, a chit chat with a nurse, a goody bag with a bunch of pregancy related samples and information and a weigh in.
I have found a new OB but don't plan on really calling for an appointment for awhile unless something comes up, this is my fourth pregnancy.
post #3 of 37
8/26/08 at 4:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stevi View Post
How many of you have already been to a doctor?

Did you get ultrasounds?

I haven't gone to a doctor yet, I plan to do so within the next week or so. But I want to know what to expect...
I'm going next week to get the blood tests at my family doctor's and have the results all forwarded to my midwives. I won't be seeing my family doctor again for anything pregnancy-related, it'll be all midwives, all the time.

The way it's worked with me both times previously, you get your blood work done early on, then have your first pre-natal appt. around 9 weeks. At that time you can set up screening tests (if applicable). In Canada, if you are not having the triple screen early ultrasound at 11-12weeks, you don't usually have an ultrasound until the 19-20 week one. If there are no issues, then that's it!

There's a test for gestational diabetes at some point, but I've always declined because I don't have any risk factors. Towards the end of the pregancy there is a test for group B strep.

Good luck Stevi, it's nice to see someone here who's also in their late thirties.:
post #4 of 37
8/26/08 at 6:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stevi View Post
How many of you have already been to a doctor?

Did you get ultrasounds?

I haven't gone to a doctor yet, I plan to do so within the next week or so. But I want to know what to expect...
Usually, OB's don't see people until 8wks. That worked fine with my first pregnancy at 40. Then with my second pregnancy the baby had already passed by 8wks. Now at 43, I'm being a little more proactive, knowing what I know about certain things. I decided to go to a Naturopathic/Midwife as soon as I knew I was pregnant (3 1/2 wks). She immediately tested my hCG and progesterone and put me on 100mg prog. lozenges 2x/day. I'm being tested every few days and everything is fine so far : I haven't done any u/s yet and don't know when I will...

Remembering back to the first time though at the OB it was basic blood tests, transvaginal u/s, info on what not to do-like change kitty litter, and a cool bag of goodies...
post #5 of 37
8/26/08 at 6:37pm
I usually wait to go in until 10-11 weeks.
post #6 of 37
8/26/08 at 6:42pm
I go to a midwife and so long as I have no concerns, will probably not see her until 14-16 weeks. I'm hoping to avoid an u/s all together this time. I can't wait to hear about everyone elses visits and u/s's though!
post #7 of 37
8/26/08 at 6:50pm
Thread Starter 
Hmmm, so the u/s isn't a regular thing this early... I have a feeling I should get one, as I feel guilty whenever I refer to my offspring as a single entity. I know it's silly, but I don't want to slight anybody if there are more than one in there...

Thank you all for the info, it does help to know that my not rushing to a doctor is okay.
post #8 of 37
8/27/08 at 3:07pm
We're using a midwife and I'm still trying to do a homebirth again, despite challenges we had last time (long story, will fill you all in at a later date).
I have an initial meet & greet in mid-September but then unless I have complications again, I won't see them until about 10 weeks.

But I definitely won't get any ultrasounds unless there is an emergency that arises. My personal opinion is that any u/s heats up the cells and surrounding tissues and I'm just not comfortable with the lack of research that surrounds u/s and its "safety and efficacy". There are no long term research studies and one research paper I read years ago (can't find it recently but when I do I'll pass it on to anyone interested) said that one u/s had the same dosage of radiation (light radiation not x-radition, but still) as 240 chest x-rays. So, I"m quite hesitant.
post #9 of 37
8/27/08 at 4:10pm
Thread Starter 
Chaibaby... I am also worried about the effects of u/s. With my age and the Emphysema, doctors will probably want regular u/s's. I had originally thought I would just get one, at a time when I can tell the sex. Because it might drive me crazy not knowing... But, I am having alot of strong symptoms, including alot of pulling/stretching sensations, so I sort of want one to make sure everything is okay. And to see how many offspring are in there!

I would love a home birth, but I won't know if it is possible until I see how my heart & lungs react to the pregnancy as I get larger.
post #10 of 37
8/27/08 at 4:24pm
I called in to our midwives office last week as soon as I got a + test, because around here if you don't call in right away you don't get a spot. It's great that midwifery is completely covered by Ontario health care, but it does mean that they are more in demand!

I just got a call back today that I'm in, and my first appointment is scheduled for September 30th. I'm not going to have any blood tests or anything before then, unless some reason for concern presents itself and I feel the need to see my family doctor.

I won't be doing the triple screen/early ultrasound, but will opt for the 19-20 week ultrasound. Just in case any major malformations are present and we need to be prepared for the birth. We don't plan on finding out the gender though!
post #11 of 37
8/27/08 at 5:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lemurmommies View Post
I called in to our midwives office last week as soon as I got a + test, because around here if you don't call in right away you don't get a spot. It's great that midwifery is completely covered by Ontario health care, but it does mean that they are more in demand!

It's crazy, right? In Barrie, same thing (I'm not sure where you are in Ontario). If you don't call in by week 6, then you're not guaranteed a spot! I thought they would think I was neurotic, calling in at week 4, but the receptionist told me I was smart b/c another couple of weeks, and they would be booked up already!
post #12 of 37
8/27/08 at 5:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stevi View Post
Chaibaby... I am also worried about the effects of u/s. With my age and the Emphysema, doctors will probably want regular u/s's. I had originally thought I would just get one, at a time when I can tell the sex. Because it might drive me crazy not knowing... But, I am having alot of strong symptoms, including alot of pulling/stretching sensations, so I sort of want one to make sure everything is okay. And to see how many offspring are in there!

I would love a home birth, but I won't know if it is possible until I see how my heart & lungs react to the pregnancy as I get larger.
I understand, I wasn't trying to be rude or anything. Sorry if it came across that way. (Bugger about email and chatting online, you can't show emotion!). Anyhow, I hope all goes well and keep us posted on all of the updates!
post #13 of 37
8/27/08 at 8:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by chaibaby View Post
It's crazy, right? In Barrie, same thing (I'm not sure where you are in Ontario). If you don't call in by week 6, then you're not guaranteed a spot! I thought they would think I was neurotic, calling in at week 4, but the receptionist told me I was smart b/c another couple of weeks, and they would be booked up already!
It is crazy! I'm just north of Toronto and had the choice of two practices, but I wanted the same team of midwives I had for E's birth. I ended up being their first call for May, so I was super happy. Come on VBAC!
post #14 of 37
8/27/08 at 9:14pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by chaibaby View Post
I understand, I wasn't trying to be rude or anything. Sorry if it came across that way. (Bugger about email and chatting online, you can't show emotion!). Anyhow, I hope all goes well and keep us posted on all of the updates!
No, no ,no, no, no, no, no, no!!!! Do not think that!

You did not come across as rude in the slightest.

I also believe less poking and prodding is best. If I were younger and healthier I probably would skip doctors altogether. I plan to avoid the docs as much as possible, no amnio, no pelvics, etc...

And I'm having these stupid pangs of guilt when I refer to my offspring as "baby", as in, just one... I need to relieve that guilt and find out for sure! Then, later on I'll decide if I can live without knowing the sex. Right now I think I really need to know how many though, you know?
post #15 of 37
8/31/08 at 9:38pm
My midwives don't generally see anyone until 6-8 weeks and order 1 ultrasound at 18-20 weeks. I believe that is the norm around her, but could be wrong, LOL.
post #16 of 37
8/31/08 at 9:55pm
i'm going to contact the midwife that i plan to use sometime this coming week and see how it goes from there. i'd like to do a "meet & greet" type of thing with her asap, just so i can make sure we click & all, but i'm not too worried about it. i've heard nothing but wonderful things about her.
post #17 of 37
9/2/08 at 4:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stevi View Post
How many of you have already been to a doctor?

Did you get ultrasounds?

I haven't gone to a doctor yet, I plan to do so within the next week or so. But I want to know what to expect...
I haven't been to the midwife yet. I emailed her about a week after my first and since I am not a new client she said to give her a call when I want my first appointment, whether that was going to be at 6 weeks or 12-15 weeks, was up to me. I decided to wait until 12ish weeks and will see her in mid October.

No ultrasounds here, but at the OB with my first, there was just a meet and greet at 12 weeks, blood draw, weight check, and scheduling of the next appointment.
post #18 of 37
9/2/08 at 8:10pm
I start interviewing midwives next week and will start "shadow care" with our local physician at about 12 to 15 weeks.
post #19 of 37
9/4/08 at 11:03pm
we met with our midwife for the first time today & i am so happy to report that both my dh & i completely adore her. the appointment couldn't have gone better or been more reassuring. :
post #20 of 37
9/5/08 at 4:07pm
I called my midwife this morning. Right after she told me she'd cut back her practice, I said, "So, you'll take me on as a client, right?" - complete silence. *gasp* Turns out she's in Utah right now and hit a dead spot and lost service! Reminded me of those cell phone commercials. She called me back a couple of minutes later. I have my first appointment on September 30.
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