what to expect? - at first ob visit

J-rod wrote: well i was wrong. we are only 11-12 weeks along so i know i cant find out the sex of my baby yet. i guess our appt was on the 14 and that got me thinking we were 14-15 weeks along. ooops. guess i got over excited.

anyways our first visit to the doctor is tomorrow morning. what kind of things should i expect? i already know i have to hold her cause she hates needles and things that hurt. LOL i think i am going to try and have her ly down as much as possible.

any tips on what i can expect at the OB? im kinda going into this blind and am not sure what they will do or what we can/will find out?

C&K*s Mommie replied: I will not be much help with this, I went through midwives with both of my PG's so things were done a little differently then with an OB/Gyn. That and I have a poor memory, although my youngest is only 22mos old.

I know that there will be a ton of questions, to build the basis for the doc. Maybe a questionnaire to assist in building that basis for the background on her and the history. I think they do all the standard things like BP, urine samples. I am not so sure if they do the needle thing on the first visit. Like I said I have a poor memory. But since it is the first, I know there will be alot of questions to be asked on both ends.

GOOD LUCK!!

my2monkeyboys replied: Sad to say, but I don't really remember. It think it will be just normal, routine kind of stuff like checking blood pressure, listening to the heart beat, etc. I THINK it will a little while longer before she has to do the blood-sugar test and other things that involve needles. It should just be a nice relaxing check-up for baby and mom.
Let us know how it all goes.

edit" Seems me and nix4noles are in the same boat!

C&K*s Mommie replied: *willsmama* is right the checking the blood sugar, lab tests come much later in the PG. This appt was in my case twice as long as the other appts that followed. I think the first was an hour, and with Kellie my first appt was 30-45min.

salmndr007 replied: Well, since it wasn't that long ago for me, maybe this will help out a bit. They won't be able to see anything with the tummy scan just yet, so they will have to go... other ways. You will basicly see a little figure and it will either be a little blob, or if you are lucky enough, you may be able to see the little head, arm buds, and leg buds. Here is a good site with a bunch of pics *click me* Hope all goes well. Let us know what you find out. Looking forward to hearing the great news.

amynicole21 replied: I remember being completely disappointed at how LITTLE they did at the first appointment. I basically heard, "yep, you're pregnant. See you next month" both times

J-rod replied: thanks guys...wow salmndr i just got really nervous after reading your post for some reason. i better get it all out now cause we both cant go in nervous, she hates doc offices anyways. so im the one who has to "help" her in the office...and im 99% sure she gonna pass out...just going into a doc office or hospital she gets woozy and has passed out before.

salmndr007 replied: Also, here is a good site for dads...a lot of helpful info *click here for info*

salmndr007 replied: It isn't really that bad. I didn't go in for the exam because Jess didn't want me in there. I am sure the Dr. won't mind if your SO doesn't. Just let her know that everything is going to be ok. These guys do this for a living and I am sure the Dr. you are going to has done this before. Remember, there are plenty of other moms and dads who have gone through this. I know it is going to be a hard time, but just enjoy the experiences. The way I look at it, this may be the only time you are able to experience the joys and tribulations of being pregnant. Plus, once you hold your baby in your arms for the first time, all of those troubles will seem pointless. It also helps to keep a diary of your emotions and everything. Plus it is nice to go back and re-read everything that you went through during the work-up to the happiest time of your life.

MyLuvBugs replied: If this is the very first Dr. visit, they'll do an ultra sound just to make sure that the baby is developing ok. And depending on your DR. they will usually let you hear the heart beat at 11-12 weeks. That's the best part.

Also, they'll do a pelvic exam with a pap smear and a breast exam, pee in a cup, and they might do some blood work but that depends on the dr. as well.

Basically, it's alot of questions and paper work. They'll need a family history and medical background on you both, so it's usually a long appointment.

I hope that helps.

Edited to say: Don't be afraid of the Ultra sound. You and her can laugh about it b/c the tech or dr. will put a condom on the US device before....well...insertion. It's kinda funny. Just remember to hold her hand, and tell her that you love her. My husband was there through BOTH first appointments, for the exam and everything. It was nice having him there to ease my stress.

J-rod replied: you all are great! i really hope to hear the heart beat! even if i cant know the sex...just hearing my little one's heart beating will be more than enough for a great valentines day!!


Sal - thanks for all the help.


im def going in with her...her words to me last night were "dont let me go, dont leave me alone anywhere...all day" i love this girl sooo much.

C&K*s Mommie replied: At my U/S's they never 'inserted' anything. Do they do that nowadays? They just put the gel on, and rolled it over my belly.

J-rod replied: HELP ME!

omg she is flipping out right now. im stuck at work, she is going home and is all upset and scared to death. she is terrified of needles, blood drawn,etc. nothing i am saying is helping. what should i do? is there anything i can do? or am i SOL? i want to make this easier for her...but i seem to be failing right now.

MyLuvBugs replied:
Oh Yeah. A vaginal US for 12 weeks and earlier is the only way to see the baby. So, they have this weird microphone looking US device, and they put a condom on it. It's Hillarious!! The first time we had that done with Lorelei was 6 weeks b/c of some probs we were having, and I was so upset that I wasn't paying attention, but when we left DH goes "Is it normal that they put a condom on that?" I guess it is. I just find it humorous.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied:
Erika summed it up! And yes, they do a vaginal US first because it's much too early for the belly one. It's really harmless and besides, as a PG women, you get used to the docs looking up there. Nothing new IMO!

This is what they'll do: Go over family history, take BP and weight, pee in a cup, pelvic exam and possibly listen to heartbeat on doppler, and answer any of your questions. She may have blood work done in the office or they will send her off to a lab to do it later this week. It's all fairly simple.

It's the next month that will be even easier - check the heartbeat and you're out of there. I didn't find out the gender until 18 weeks. 20 weeks with my first.

It's true what Sal said, you'll only see a little peanut on screen at this US. So don't get disappointed. They just want to be sure it's a true pregnancy at this point and see that the embryo has implanted correctly and that the placenta (and yolk sac) are all there.

MyLuvBugs replied:
IT's ok. Just remind her the that baby can feel everything that she's feeling, and she needs to remain calm. She needs to be strong in order to make it through the pregnancy. Just tell her that you'll be there for her, and that everything will be ok. They aren't going to do anything to hurt her or the baby.

C&K*s Mommie replied: Ericka is right. It is all a learning exp, so don't beat yourself up. She will come out of this on top and with flying colors. Do your best to help her to remain calm, it will only delay & prolong things if she is not. Overall, Ericka hit the nail on the head, the baby can feel the same emotions she is going through. Keep close by her side, and continue to be that loving person she needs the most.

PrairieMom replied: I never had a vaginal ultrasound with either of my pregnancys. I think that your best bet is to call the Dr's office and ask them specificllay what they do before you all get worked up over nothing. At my first one, I was 6 weeks, I had a regluar ultrasound where I just saw the flashing of the heart beat. You probably won't have your "big" ultra sound until you are about 20 weeks along, you can find out gender then. Although, everyone is different, and your Dr. may do things differently.
They will check mom's blood pressure, have her pee in a cup, and will probably do a pap smear and breast exam. They will also draw some blood. I had something like 4 vials done, but they only had to poke me once.

There is absolutely nothing to freak out about for this visit. I acutally look foward to my OB visits, becuase I can hear baby's heart beat and get some reassurance that things are going just fine.

J-rod replied: she hates Dr. is the main thing...and hate having needle draw blood. thats whats freeking her out. im gonna leave work here an hour early to go be with her and help calm her down. i feel like im not even helping...since she is so worked up and im here at work... and i cant do much to calm her over the phone....she says she fine, but i know her, she just saying that so i wont freek out here at work.

salmndr007 replied: Just remind her that you are both in it together. Let her know that you will be with her the whole time she is in the Dr.s office and everything will be ok. Also, remind her how beautiful she is and how much she means to you. I don't care what others say, every woman, no matter how sad, mad, or stressed out she is loves to hear that she is beautiful and means more than the world. Also, talk with some of the moms. I know some of them have been through this and they can let you know what they wanted to hear at times when they felt scared and upset.

moped replied: I never had a vaginal US either - so don't count on that happeneing, and I also don't remember having to get blood taken until much later in PG - I do remember them saying very little and see you next month! Very little was done or said

MyLuvBugs replied:
Ok. you are the sweetest guy on the planet, and need to teach my husband some things. lol

~~*Missi*~~ replied: You first appt with the OB (i went thru fertility so it may differ a bit)

You have the wonderful internal. They ask 50 million questions, they may check for a HB with doppler being 12weeks since I had my first appt at 6w.
If they have a U/S you may get one if not you will get an appt for one. Blood work up the YING and YANG (scripts)
Then mine asks questions and answers them... gives me a script for vitamins.
Plus we got goodie bags filled with packets, vitamins, etc.... from various suppliers

Hope that helps can't wait to hear how it went and GOOD luck

~~*Missi*~~ replied:
If you have had history of Blood sugar problems previously or a HIGH family history of it Some doctors do, do a glucose test early..
because of my family history of gestational diabetes turning into full blown I had my first of MANY glucose tests at 8weeks. It was a baseline.

You will have to have a AIDS test( i am almost 100% positive that its madatory in the 48states). You will/may have a HCG blood test to check levels.
You will/may have approx 4-7vials of blood drawn for your first blood tests.
They want base levels for everything so when you get 'further' along they have start numbers
(you may have these or will)

~~*Missi*~~ replied:
A vaginal U/S isn't necessary for before 12weeks. With sabrina I never ever had a vaginal ultrasound. I had the "regular" belly U/S at 8weeks. I had a vaginal at 26weeks cause of "my" problems.....

Its not necessary thou..... its another hit and miss depending on the doc. Mine doesn't use them unless he has to (he is a fertility specialist)...

sorry for the 50 post LOL

MyLuvBugs replied:
Well, some doctors deem it as necessary, so I was just posting my experiences. Thanks!

~~*Missi*~~ replied: i was just commenting on the its the only way to see the baby at 12weeks, not the deeming it necessary. sorry you took that wrong but i was saying i never had one and saw my DD sabrina 8weeks, and my angels both at 7-8weeks without vaginal.

The reason my doctor doesn't do them is because there is a increase in aminotic fluid temp and we are all there for infertility or high risks pregnancies so he doesn't use them. Sorry you took that wrong but I was just saying its not the only way to see the baby.

Why pick me out when 3-4 other people said the same thing???????

moped replied: I guess the bottom line is that everybodys experience is different depending on if the office has an US machine or not - or what the circumstances are surrounding your pregnancy...................

J-rod replied: well i got home and got her calmed down. put on her Pj.s and went and took a nap with her after walking the dog. then we layed in bed all evening talking about the visit, the pregnancy, and baby names.

hopefully i have some good news tomorrow. her biggest fear is the blood being drawn..if i can get her past that all should be okay.

right now im trying to make up a list of questions for us to ask the doctor.


man im soooo nervous right now too. but ill get thru it.


Sal - i got your number...so dont be surprised to see a strange number on your cell tomorow. LOL


thanks all!

~~*Missi*~~ replied: tell her blood draws aren't bad Update us as soon as you all get home.

Tell her to rest easy its all for the good. They jsut want to make sure that baby is healthy as an ox and right now they have to do that thru some annoying tests. If shes had her ears pierced i think that for me was far worse then blood draws. and I HATE NEEDLES puke

Good luck and your a good hubby!!!!

Lexismama replied: I had my first ultra sound at 8 weeks and it was done regulary thro the belly. My OB told me that they only have to do vaginal if it is before 6 weeks

J-rod replied: T- 9 hrs 34 mins to appointment.


i really want it to all go smooth and for her to realize there nothing to be afraid of. but the office scares here. heck she even passed out signing her sister into the ER one day...just the whole atmosphere makes her sick.

shes in bed now and im sure all be fine.

we are going to look at a house tomorrow after the appointment, but i will update asap.

MyLuvBugs replied:
ITA!

as for my comment...ALL the medical dr's I've seen and my best friend whom is an OBGYN nurse have told me that they only use the vaginal US before 12wks. So that was MY experience that I'm going off of. But everyone is different. Thanks Jenn for pointing that out.

PrairieMom replied: good luck today! hopefully she will get through this and find that it's nothing to worry about. I get so excited for my appts!

BTW, what are you going to do when it comes time to deliver this baby if she freaks out this badly over a poke for blood and a visit to the dr?

You still have time to prepare for it all, but you may want to talk to the Doc about her high anxiety levels. Maybe he can give her something to take the edge off for her.

salmndr007 replied: Good luck man. All of our thoughts and prayers are with you two. Keep us informed and I am expecting a call later.

J-rod replied: Update - kinda dissappointed.

well all we did this time was paperwork and questioning. no US or nothing. have appt. on tuesday 11am for a US and to hear the baby heart.


GOOD NEWS:
she did wonderful. is alot more relaxed now and calm,,,,and getting as excited as me. she learned that since we are farther along we can have 2 trips to the lab for blood combined into one...made her happy. she told me "i feel alot more pregnant now" which made me really happy.

also we learned that we are 14 weeks along. so next month we can learn the sex.


im so excited right now im gonna stop typing so i can try and remember all the other good news.

C&K*s Mommie replied: Glad that at least you were able to find out you were further along than originally thought. Good to hear that she was comfortable with everything today as well.

Keep us posted!!!

PrairieMom replied: I'm glad that everything went okay!

moped replied:

It really isn't that bad - she will be just fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good news!!!!!!

Do you and salamdr know each other from before??

J-rod replied:
nope just met here...hes been a great help...its nice to have a guy to talk to once in a while about a pregnancy.

moped replied: Oh fun!!!

I have made some wonderful freinds here too!!

How old is your fiance???

J-rod replied: 23 - im 24. there is 9 months difference in us.



we both always wanted kids...especialy before 25.

~~*Missi*~~ replied: I am so glad things went well for her. YOu will so love the first ultrasound and hearing that heart beat.
If she is 14 weeks and be almost 15weeks next time you are going to get a nice picture of that little one to take home. The first ones usually they are so small they look like little beans but that is somewhere between 6-8weeks 'normally'.....

A good book for men to read my husband says it what to expect when your wife is expanding. He says it was great help with him plus he went to all the appts and read that book etc.......

GOOD LUCK and YEAH!!! So glad all is ok

MyLuvBugs replied:
Holy Cow!! THat's awesome!! Congratulations!! I'm glad it went well, and that she was fine. And just think about how fun it will be next tuesday when you do get the US.

J-rod replied: cant wait till tuesday.

salmndr007 replied: J,

Glad everything went well. When is the due date your Dr. gave? Jess and I are 14 weeks 2 days today. Sounds like we will be expecting around the same time. We have a date of Aug 14th. Also, you said you guys were talking about names? Any good ones come up? This is what Jess and I have come up with

Girl:
Isabella Marie Vilardo

Boy:
Bryon Giovanni Vilardo

J-rod replied: our date is Aug. 13th.


names just became alot more choices since we been reading the book.

Boy:
Xander Vincent
Kyan Vincent

Girl:
Aubrey Nadine
Loralie Nadine


these are the ones that come up most frequently. LOL

luvbug00 replied: Kyan Vincent
Aubrey Nadine


I lke those. but you should start a new thred of names and that way everyone can see it better