Questions & Answers

So, I just had my first appointment as a pregnant woman! I had already answered the family history questions over the phone, had already had my blood drawn a week prior to the visit, and had a recent pap smear, so I didn't have to do any of those while at my appointment today. The midwife just explained her role, resources and classes available to expecting parents, and went over our blood results. All good. Then she offered to use the dopler to find the hb. It was awesome! I started excitedly laughing, then crying with joy as my husband recorded the hb on his phone. So precious!!

Thank you everyone for the info :)

bakerbabe: Good luck!! Let us know how it went :)
eag923: No way!! How cool. And we are super close in due dates too! Let us know how your appt goes.

My first appt is on Thursday! I'll be approx 8 weeks and 4 days. We're Baby Green (but without the "e") too! lol! Good luck! This is our second and I'm so excited for the ultrasound! It makes it "real!" :)

Oooh yes the pelvic exam. Mine was just like any other pap smear. We also met with a financial counselor to discuss what our insurance covers so you may do that as well.

What people forget is the very uncomfortable pelvic exam that your OB or midwife does as well and in most cases you will have the abdominal ultrasound first then the transvaginal one after they let you pee. They will also need family history from your side and the baby's fathers side. Unfortunately your still too early to hear babies heart on a Doppler so that'll be at your second appointment.

At my first appointment, they did bloodwork and a transvaginal ultrasound. Then, we had an hour appointment with the nurse who asked about all of the medical history in the families. We also got a bag full of pamphlets and information, along with hospital paperwork and instructions on how to register early in case something happens. That way they have all of my information and can get anything they need from the doctor's office. The first appointment is super exciting as far as getting to see the baby and the heartbeat! Other appointments, as kelliers said, are brief and you usually wait 4x longer than it takes to do the appointment. :)

lol we usually wait*.

You may not have an ultrasound but if you do it likely will be transvaginal for dating purposes (more accurate and easier to see heartbeat). You will provide urine and be asked if you have any questions and may also give blood. They may also have you schedule your first trimester screening for 11-12 weeks; this will be your first good look at baby! The appointments are pretty boring-weight, pee, doppler after 12 weeks usually and after 20 weeks mine starts to also measure your fundal height. We usually weight 40 minutes for a 5 minute appointment and I always leave wondering why I couldn't just e-mail them my weight and measurement and not waste my time. Lol. If you have questions it's also a good time to ask.

I have my first appointment today so exited - it makes it all feel real! I am just expecting to have bloods and urine samples taken and to go over my medical history. In the UK, we don't get a scan until 12 weeks (luckily, I had an early one at 7 weeks - otherwise it would've driven me crazy waiting 12 weeks!). Good luck with your appointment - let us know how it goes! x