Hey, Carmen! I have a question....

PlasticFork · #1 June 14th, 2008, 11:08 PM

What can I expect when I go to the doctor? I'm sure every doctor does things differently, but will they do other things, or just simply give me the blood test, and then I'll have to come back later for an actual appointment? I know the doctor that I have likes to do an ultrasound on the first appointment, but other than that, I'm not sure what to expect at all. What did your doctor do first visit? Do they do the STD tests, blood sugar, etc. on the first visit? Oh, one more thing: Is the first ultrasound a transvaginal one, or whatever they call them?

Carmela · #2 June 15th, 2008, 02:53 PM

The first day I went in was just to confirm pregnancy. They did a urine test first and then because it took so long I also had blood drawn for HSG levels. Then scheduled to go back in 4 days for a second HCG to make sure the numbers were increasing fast enough. I did not see the doctor (or at that point even have one picked out, the doctor I was using was a GYN only) on those two visits. I dealt with a NP. She gave my numbers to the head OB and he said if I wanted to use him that he wanted an ultrasound and first appointment when my HCG levels should be around 5000, that should have been around 6 weeks, so I set up my first appointment for then.

That day I got a transvaginal ultrasound, saw the HB, got a picture, and then met my OB for a quick meet and great. He also had me get my progesterone levels rechecked to make sure those were holding, and told me to schedule my next real appointment with him for in another month. That one is coming up on July 3. Then I will have the exam, likely more bloodwork and urine tests, and we will listen for the HB with the doppler. I will be ten, almost 11 weeks by then.

Normally my OB does the first appointment at 9 or 10 weeks, but he did it slightly different with me since we had help conceiving and it took up over a year. Whether you will get an transvaginal or transabdominal ultrasound depends on how far along you are at the time. I will tell you that I played with my ultrasound at work today and at 8 weeks with a full urinary bladder I was able to see the baby just through the abdomen (and my ultrasound is 7 years old so not as nice as the one they have at my OB.)