First appt - seems really late

[Gillian28]

Hi ladies,

I went to see the midwife clinic (I just dropped in to see the office and get my name in). The receptionist said she would call Wednesday and let me know when my first appt would be. So I got the call yesterday and it isn't until July 14th! I'll be over 9 weeks by then. Is this normal? I haven't even had any sort of consultation or any blood work at all. I went to my doctor's Monday before going to the clinic and he said he could do blood work but that the midwife would probably do it herself. Now I'm wondering if I should call my doctor just so I can get some blood work done. I don't know...

[an9elkatie]

With my first pregnancy, they didn't want me to come in until around 12 weeks, if I recall correctly. And even then all they did was a urine test. I think 9 weeks is completely normal, if not a little early!

[AllyRae]

Unfortunately, it *is* normal these days. There was just an article in our newspaper about how ideally the first appointment would occur within a week of getting a positive test, but now people are lucky to get an appointment before the second trimester (which, for people who *don't* know to take prenatals, etc., it can be very risky).

That being said, I'll be almost 8 weeks before my first appointment and I'm considered high risk. But I did get labwork done--the nurse faxed over prescriptions to the lab since you don't get a "slot" in the practice until you get a blood test confirming you're pregnant.

[Lisanne]

I was 12 weeks before I saw anyone with my first and that was with a military dr. I won't get in to see anyone until at least July, but I'm not sure when yet

[CityChic]

I see a midwife and she prefers to see people around 8 weeks. My appointment is for closer to 10 weeks (scheduling issue on my part!).

[boscopup]

Many midwives don't see you until 12 weeks because there's really nothing that *needs* to be done earlier than that unless you have a known issue (like low progesterone) or you need a dating u/s. My OB usually sees women at 6 weeks, does a dating u/s at 8 weeks, and then sees you again at 12 weeks. Bloodwork is done at 8 weeks. The only thing done at the 6 week visit is a urine test (did that at home) and giving you a sample for prenatal vitamins (which I don't take - I do alfalfa instead).

My midwife doesn't do the first visit until 12 weeks, since she doesn't do u/s (she's a CPM). She orders bloodwork at that point if it hasn't been done anywhere else. With my first child, I just saw her, so I went at 12 weeks, got bloodwork done around 15 weeks at the lab, and continued from there.

[KellyKA23]

Hmmmm I am almost 6 weeks and will be going in tomarrow so my second visit to the Dr. Although I am considered highrisk, and I am seeing a highrisk specialist. The first was the "confirmation" they did bloodwork and an ultrasound, I will be going back in tomarrow for another ultrasound because with the first they didnt see anything. But I guess the first "normal" appointment ( I forgot what they called it) wont be untill after 8 weeks.

[JoyfulChaosMom]

If you are healthy and things are going fine, there is no reason to go in. Seriously, keep in mind that prenatal care is done by *you*, not your midwife or doctor - they just monitor things. So, the most important thing you can do right now is not have an appointment, but take good care of youself with good raw foods, plenty of water and rest! :)

[Gillian28]

Thanks everyone! I guess its normal then. I just thought it was funny because my pregnancy hasn't been confirmed by anyone but me (hpts). I guess they just take my word for it.

I'm just so excited to be pregnant that I'm having a hard time being patient. It seems like forever to wait over 4 weeks to see the midwife, but really that's nothing compared to the 35 weeks I still have to go before I get to see my baby. :love There's so much I'm looking forward to that I'm in a constant state of excitement. No wonder pregnancy is exhausting!

[boscopup]

Home pregnancy tests are amazingly accurate. In fact, the early ones you buy are often better than the strips used by the doctor's office. LOL.

[DreamsInDigital]

I have never been seen, either by an OB, CNM or CPM before 12 weeks. It's perfectly normal.

[TayTaysMama]

I've never had blood work done to confirm any of my pregnancies. With my Lo I waited to see the OB until 10 weeks (had a U/S done prior to that at an urgent care to rule out ectopic), with my MC I didn't see my midwife until 12 weeks. This time I will be going in on July 14 at almost 10 weeks so we can try to pick up a heart beat since I am freaked out that I am not growing a baby again.

There isn't much to check for in the 1st tri so unless you have had previous problems. I prefer to have as little care as possible so I kinda like it!

[alison_in_oh]

Thanks everyone! I guess its normal then. I just thought it was funny because my pregnancy hasn't been confirmed by anyone but me (hpts). I guess they just take my word for it.

I feel like pregnancy is a time to really start honing your maternal instinct. :) No one -- NO ONE is closer to your baby than you are, every single day! The doctor doing a blood test or doppler fetoscope doesn't make you any more pregnant or your baby any more healthy. In between appointments, YOU are the one nurturing your baby, making choices every day to help him or her grow. Own that responsibility, mama, and experience that wonder!

Anyway, that's my fruity reason why I'm feeling SUPER laid-back about prenatal appointments this time around. I don't even WANT my first appointment until 8-10 weeks. ;) There's nothing they can really do or tell you before that anyway!

[KelliH]

I wanted an appointment ASAP when I was pregnant with DS, didn't get one until I was 12 weeks along. This time I called my midwife (in Texas), told her I'd be home (am in MD with DH and DS for some training for DH's job) at the beginning of August and we'd start then. It's amazing how much more relaxed I am about things the second time around. Point being, I think it is completely normal to want an appointment immediately with your first baby :) It's an awesome experience, being pregnant.

[Jenivere]

My first appointment has always ben around 12 weeks with all of my kids; I haven't even told my midwife I'm pregnant yet. I'm taking a pre natal, drinking lots of water and eating well so I'm not really concerned. I've never had a pregnancy test confirmed with a blood test even when I had a Dr. with my first.

[Gillian28]

Thanks again for all the support everyone! I'm definitely feeling better about it. And as the days pass I'm feeling more relaxed and more sure that everything is going to be okay. :)

[triscuitsmom]

LOL you are lucky... you got your appointment BEFORE me ;) I called a week before you and I'm due before you and my first appointment with them is July 17th :P

That's exciting we'll see them the same week though. I am sorry I havn't PMd you, it's been crazy here. Off to do that now... :o

[midnightmommy]

I just called and made an appointment. I was told they like to do an interview with a nurse between six to ten weeks, and the midwife between ten and twelve weeks. There really isn't anything they can do for you between now and then. Other than maybe send you to the pharmacy for vitamins.

[trimestersdoula]

Not in your DDC but I just wanted to agree with the other posters. That doesn't seem late to me at all. I am pregnant with my first and I won't be seeing my doctor until next week (21 weeks 2 days). I wish I could have waited longer but DH made the appointment for me.

[milli249]

That is the same day my 1st appt is!! My midwife likes to see women at 8-10 weeks, so it sounds okay to me. By that time you 'might' be able to get a heartbeat with the doppler!

millicent

[Thursday Girl]

I need to make some appts, just to meet prospective midiwves and find the one I want to go with. I am waiting on two of my friends to e-mail me theinfo about who they used, But one has a two week old, and the other well I don't know. She is calling a midwife who is her friend. The midwives practice no longer does homebirths, but she assures us this midwife will do it for us.Honestly I am kind of waiting for my medicaid to go through.