What to expect at first Dr. App

[Carrie]

Hi ladies,
I just found out a couple of days ago that I'm pregnant :):) and I had a regular annual scheduled for this coming Monday with my GYN. I assume the visit will count as my first pregnancy appt. If so, what kind of tests, etc. should I expect?

Thanks :)

[H&G'sMom]

Hi ladies,
I just found out a couple of days ago that I'm pregnant :):) and I had a regular annual scheduled for this coming Monday with my GYN. I assume the visit will count as my first pregnancy appt. If so, what kind of tests, etc. should I expect?

Thanks :)

Likey none, LOL.. except for a pg test and a normal internal exam.

[Inatic]

Congratulations!

Along with a script or recommendation fro some prenatals. Some docs do blood work.

[Carrie]

Internal exam...I suppose by that you mean the dreaded pelvic exam?? Urgh...I was hoping to dodge that one. Oh well.

[colo1278]

same thing happened to me- my 6 week mark was right around my annual, so they just combined them. My husband got to see me get a pap smear! :D Well, he didn't actually watch, but I explained what it was all about.

They also did an internal ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy and make sure it was not an ectopic I guess. I got to hear the heartbeat which was AWESOME and take home some pics.

I was already on prenatals, so I did'n't get a Rx for any. They did do a urine test as well.
Oh and I got a whole information packet with childbirth classes and the doc's instructions on what not to eat, meds to take etc.

[Carrie]

Thanks Colo! It's so awesome you were able to hear the heartbeat at your first appt...WOW!!
I'm barely 4 weeks so I doubt I'll have the same luck.

[PerfectAnjail]

Well, basically what colo said. I didnt know i was prego (but suspected), so I got a prego test and then a pelvic (at which point your doc can approx how far along you are if you dont already know). You may not get the internal US, I didnt have one. I did get a nice gold bag with all kind of prego mommy goodies to announce to the world that i was pregnant.

good luck.

and if u dont like pelvic exams now, you should get used to them. and you should get used to talking about all things baby with many many women.

and colo. if your hubby plans on going to your appts, he'll get used the pelvic exams, maybe...my bf is very jealous, and didnt got used to them.

[fitnesschick]

on the pelvic exam note ... i can't comment on OB's but i had 3 homebirths with a midwife, had no exams and no cervical checks until labor was well established and only because i consented.

can you not negotiate the pelvic exams and the cervical checks?

[colo1278]

on the pelvic exam note ... i can't comment on OB's but i had 3 homebirths with a midwife, had no exams and no cervical checks until labor was well established and only because i consented.

can you not negotiate the pelvic exams and the cervical checks?
No judging here, but why would you not want to have the check ups?

[FabulouslyFit]

Carrie... congrats ! Awesome news !

I just had my 1st app on Thursday. I had a pap smear, blood drawn, and I had to pee in a cup. My doc wants me to come back on Tues for an ulta sound to find out exactly how far along I am.

[MicheleSC]

No judging here, but why would you not want to have the check ups?

There are more opportunities for infection to be introduced with pelvic exams/checks.

[fitnesschick]

i do believe the pap smear has value and i just didn't do it when i was pregnant because i was doing them regularly and really didn't see the need to have it done when i was doing them anyway.

yeah cervical checks can increase infection, also, many doctors use that information to decide whether or not you need any interventions, interventions you would not "need" if they didn't have that information in the first place. you can walk around at 4 cm for weeks and everything is just fine but if you get checked that might put you at risk for a doctor wanting to induce you, something you want to avoid unless absolutely necessary. really and truly, unless there is an indication for a cervical check, there really isn't alot of purpose to it. my own preference is not to have strangers checking out my cervix unnecessarily but everybody's comfort level is different.

in labor, you will progress as you need to, and knowing how far you are along really isn't necessary either (of course, there are times you would need to know like in the event of an exhausted mother for example, or emergency situations). some people like to know of course, me i didn't find it pressing to know. my babes were gonna be born whether or not i knew i was 8 cm or 2 cm ;)

in hospitals, they normally follow a time frame as to how long a mom can labor and use how you are dilating as a guideline for using interventions. so they check more regularly because of protocol and also when you use drugs or interventions, it is information that they do need.

my own thoughts are that a woman's body does just fine without the checks. i just think women should be given the opportunity to decide what they do or don't want done to their body, and be given the information and support they need to make the decisions that are best for them.