First appointment?

[rebeccalizzie]

I'm really worried. I keep reading that at the first appointment, they do a pelvic exam. I have my first appointment today, but I haven't met this doctor yet! I don't *think* they'd expect to do a pelvic at a first appointment with a new doctor, would they? I need to meet with him first before meeting with the midwives, because they work "under" a doctor in this state and I want to make sure I like him before becoming set on a midwife. He would take over if anything happened or I became high risk.

I know this is silly, all I have to say is that I'm not comfortable taking my clothes off with a brand new doctor. I don't have a problem saying no. But is it likely to be an issue, do you think?

[Treehuggin'Mama]

I keep hearing this too, and I also have my first appointment today. I should think it wouldn't be an issue, but... I guess we'll find out. :rolleyes :fingersx:

[jenmk]

My docs did the pelvic at the second appointment. I can't imagine it'll be a problem if you tell them that you'd rather do it next time.

[Mearaina]

I made them wait til 16 weeks. They will wait if you push the issue. Some docs wil not care others will argue. But it is your body and your baby and it's up to you and what you're comfortable with.

[lenore80]

I didnt have mine done at the first appt. Its supposed to be the second one. If you are newly pregnant >12 weeks, they will probably just go over the hospital paperwork, your concerns, general info, a pee test, and go over your bloodwork/schedule bloodwork.

[Snowdrift]

I had a first appt with a backup/medical provider yesterday (my primary is a homebirth midwifery practice). I'm 23 wks and the issue of a pelvic was not pushed. One thing I want is ghonorea/chlamydia testing (so if we end in hospital I won't have to fight about eye goop or antibiotics). She asked if i was going to be doing those at this appointment since they are cervical cultures. I just said we were waiting until next time. No problems--but I was seeing the CNM out of the OB practice.

[peilover010202]

Okay, why do they do a pelvic for the first or second visit? Last time, I'd had a pap just a month before I got pregnant, so I didn't have a pelvic until I was about 4 months along and that was because my pap came back abnormal, so I had a colposcopy.

What's the reasoning behind it?

[lenore80]

They probably want to make sure the cells are ok. I know many women do not go in for their yearly papsmear. They can also check it out for stds (like someone mentioned chylamidia (sp) which is underdiagnosed in women).

I think I read too that they like to make sure your cervix is closed up tight.

[GabeMom]

I know my CNM said I didn't need one since my pap was up-to-date and normal. I guess maybe it depends on the practice?? You can always ask what they're looking for...

[Treehuggin'Mama]

No pelvic exam was mentioned at all. Hmm. Not that I minded. :) Of course I'm sure it'll come up sooner or later.

[SoCalGirl]

Okay, why do they do a pelvic for the first or second visit? Last time, I'd had a pap just a month before I got pregnant, so I didn't have a pelvic until I was about 4 months along and that was because my pap came back abnormal, so I had a colposcopy.

What's the reasoning behind it?

I had one just b/c I was a couple months overdue for my annual exam. (Which I had purposefully not scheduled earlier in the year because we were trying to get pregnant, so I was hoping I'd soon be going to her for a prenatal appointment...)

I did have the exam at my first appointment, but my first appointment was with the midwives, not with the OB affiliated with their practice. (I never had to see him.)