How many weeks at first OB appt?

[Tia38]

How far along were you when you had your first OB appt? How long between appts early on?

I have just been released from RE (hurray!) at 6.5weeks. I didn't have an OB prior to this, and the one I called to setup an appt with scheduled me for my first visit at 9.5 weeks (three weeks after the last RE appt), but I couldn't make that date. So (due to other constraints of mine) the first appt they could give me is 11.5 weeks out.

Seems way late.... I'm 39 with a recent m/c. I need reassurance before 5 weeks have gone by!

And if I'm getting on a plane to Asia at the 10 week mark I'd like to know that everything is okay. KWIM?

Data and thoughts appreciated. (And yes, I know, many women don't see OB until 10-12 weeks along and I have been spoiled by RE.)

Thanks,
-Tia

[Cookie]

Oh I do know what you mean about being spoiled by the RE! I saw my RE through week 12 with my first daughter. It was wonderful to have the u/s so often, and hear the heart beat. This pregnancy happened after we had "given up," so I wasn't under the care of my RE. But, the OB pretty much didn't care about my history (IF, miscarriages, etc.). They scheduled me for a 10 week appt. Ugh! I was so stressed that I called my RE. They let me come in for an u/s with them, for peace of mind. Maybe your RE will at least let you come in to hear the heart beat before your trip. Explain your situation. I don't know if your RE was covered by your insurance (my wasn't), but they'll probably just charge you out of pocket. But it would be worth it. I felt so much better.

As for continued care, I went once a month for the first 7 months I think (or maybe 8 weeks?). Then I had a couple every other week appts. From 36 weeks until delivery you'll see the OB once a week.

Hope this helps a little. Hang in there! I swear the beginning is the most stressful.

Good luck...
Cookie

[Tia38]

thanks cookie.... nice to know someone understands. dh is not getting this particular point.

i already primed the re that i may need reassurance, and that's when i thought i had a 3 week gap. i plan to call tomorrow to see if RE will do something before i go to japan.

i've just been reading on the feb thread (my due date month) and it's mostly younger women, and most don't have first ob appt until 10 weeks or so, and many won't get u/s until 18 weeks!

wow. i guess for once age has advantage of sorts?

congrats on your pg, especially if you had given up. :-) and many thanks for taking the time to answer. i guess i mostly needed a sympathetic ear.

of course if anyone else wants to chime in.... please do!

-tia

[Stayingpositive]

Hi Tia,

Like so many others, my OB scheduled my first appointment at 10 weeks. I was maddening to have to wait, but I was so sick with m/s, I guess it kept my mind off it, lol! However, if I were you, I'd call the OB office again and tell them you are planning to go to Asia and would like to try to get in with them before you go. Given your history, I can't imagine that they wouldn't try to help you out. Perhaps you can ask to speak to the OB's nurse rather than the appointment desk? I know when I have done that, they have fit me in. Also, I got my first u/s at 10 weeks after my first OB appointment due to my age and history. So hopefully you will get an early one too.

I hope you can get in somewhere, just for peace of mind. And congratulations!!

Jenny

[Tia38]

Thanks Jenny -- love your screen name! Good idea about calling the nurse rather than the appt desk. I will try that. Right now I'm hoping RE will agree to see me; it would just make things easier as they know my history, and I know them already.

I guess since we've seen a h.b. at 6.5 weeks the OBs are taking it all in stride. I'm trying to take it as a good sign, but with age and recent m/c it is very hard. I'm also thinking of canceling my trip to Japan (long and complicated story, but you can probably guess some fo the reasons), but it will complicate things at work.

But if these are the worst problems I have right now, I'm overall in good shape. :-)
Cheers,
-Tia

[momofoneson]

Tia, Konnichi-wa, Ogenki desku-ka? (sp?),

I know how nerve wracking this early pg is. I agree that you should try and see your RE one more time before your trip, if you decide to go, just for peace of mind. One of the few advantages I have living smack-dab in the middle of nowhere is that I can see a doc pretty much anytime. Not so with you big city folk And YES, call the nurse, not the appt. desk.

Take care,
Jan

[Tia38]

Jan-san. Arigato gozaimasu. Genki desu. :-)
Nihongo ga wakarimasu-ka? (my spelling is probably not good)

thanks for the support!

I've actually gotten through to a mid-wife (about genetic stuff) and she is fantastic. Makes me think maybe I want a mid-wife and not an OB?

In any case, she is trying to see if she can get me a quick scan just before I go. She's actually going to call me back.

I am feeling much better. Even if she can't arrange it, having someone listen, understand and sympathize is helping a lot.

And I'm still hoping RE comes through with a scan 2.5 weeks from now anyway. In fact if I can get both I will! LOL.

Where in Ohio are you? I spent a summer outside Cleveland (I'm drawing a blank on the name of the town where I stayed), working at the Nasa Lewis Space Center, which I think was renamed to the John Glenn Center?

(And perhaps the wrong place to ask, but how are you doing? When do you go for another scan?)

Cheers,
-Tia

[oldermama]

Hi Tia:

I agree - peace of mind is so important - I would see if your RE can follow-up until you move over.

Barbara

PS - Jan - yes, I know SFU - we lived right down below! Two of my good friends grew up on Capital Hill and one's parents still live there. Went skating at the rinks also (a group of us when were young used to rent out one of the rinks and play hockey!) I am older than you so at different times though. It sure is a small world.

[momofoneson]

Tia,

I think a mid-wife would probably be stellar for the support side, but you need an OB at our 'advanced maternal age' Your mid-wife can get a scan done?? Either way, it sounds like you'll get one and you'll be golden.

I have to wait until NEXT Friday for my u/s - ugh. I would push for one a little earlier, but I don't want it to be too early again - I would actually like to see something this time. I have a hard time believing this isn't for real with all the m/s and this belly I've got!

I live midway between Cleveland and Columbus. Quite a change from life in the West Coast of Canada! I've been here about 5 1/2 years. Gave up my exotic, traveling single life for married, stable, Mid-west life. Where in Japan will you be going? Are you an astronaut???? My ds would be VERY impressed - ha!

Barb - where do you live now? This is very funny - I actually met a woman on FT who lives about a mile from me - and NO ONE lives in Mansfield, Ohio!!

Take care everyone,
Jan

[Tia38]

Jan -- hope the next week goes quickly for you. As I recall this was a surprise (unassisted) pg, so your dates could easily be off. Let's hope. :-)

Not to say what's going to happen one way or the other, but did I mention www misdiagnosedmiscarriage com to you already? Lots of good info before/during/after a m/c, whether you end up being misdiagnosed or not. I found much comform there last Dec. I did not have a happy ending but I hope that you do.

As for Japan -- the trip is for business; I go every six months or so (although last year I went Aug and then again in Sept, so didn't go in Feb this year). This trip will be to Tokyo for about a week. Normally I pack in as many extra days as I can for fun. But this go around I'm trying to keep it as short as possible.

Biggest problem will be gracefully avoiding sushi w/o mentioning pg. Should be interesting. It's already come up here (in Boston) a few times, and I say something like "I'm spoiled... I only eat sushi in Japan." But now I can't use that excuse if I'm in Japan! LOL.

thanks for keeping me company,
-tia