First Pregnancy and doctor apts.?.?

Ok so Tuesday i got a positive pregnancy test after my period being 2 days late. I called the doctors office today to schedule an appointment. The lady told me they do an "Education Visit" with a nurse at 8 weeks and then your first "Prenatal Visit" at 12 weeks with the doctor. I asked if at the 8 week appointment they did any blood work to confirm pregnancy and she said no they don't do anything like that until the 12 weeks appointment. She said they take the result on the at home test as the positive. Is this normal?? Its my first pregnancy and I had assumed that at 8 weeks they would be doing a blood test and possible ultrasound... or that's what I have been reading everywhere.