How many appointments, with OB during Pregnancy ?

Question

Hello, I’m currently 12 weeks with my first baby🥰. I’m super exited and happy. Also worried, maybe me worrying about this is normal but I just would like to know if most people had the same experience.
In my 12 weeks and I have only been to the doctors 4 times.
1. Confirming my at home pregnancy test. In this visit I only talked to the nurse about my symptoms and they prescribed my prenatal vit. (4wks)
2. Blood work and Ultrasound. Nothing more(6wks)
3. “Initial preg visit” Go over blood work (she only said they were normal) 😕 I literally had to go to my pcp to go a little more detail about the labs because clearly when I saw the results, not everything was “normal”. I had to do a Pap smear that I didn’t need and wasn’t confortable doing but she said I needed the Pap smear since we did one in Feb but it was April and I’m pregnant🙃. Which didn’t make a lot of sense to me but at the same time.. I will do anything to make sure my baby’s safety. So I did it and nothing else happened.
Now my 4th appt is this Tuesday, I would think I’m going to meet my OB, and have a look at my baby. But I’m worried that would not be the case they scheduled me once again with the nurse. I asked for the second set of blood work this week so I will have them done for the appt because I’m honestly a little inpatient with how slow they are treating me and honestly not giving any type of info (I feel I have learn more in this app than with my doc) and they denied me the order because I have to be seen first. I haven’t met the doc, I’m afraid they don’t even do a sonogram the same day. That I’m going to have to schedule 2 more times for this to happen.
Is it me panicking and worrying too much about it. My appt have been normal and I should wait and see this next appt. Or start looking for a new doctor????

Answer

You’ve had a lot of appointments.
Most OBs don’t even see you until 8-12w. Then every 4 weeks after that until like 27-28w. Then every 2 weeks until 36w. Then weekly. 
You don’t NEED to see the OB every visit. You might see them after the NT scan and blood work, after your anatomy scan, and then later in the pregnancy. Most visits can be handled by the nurses. 
Typically, you only get 2-3 ultrasounds. Dating scan, NT scan, and anatomy. Occasionally a growth scan in the third trimester if needed.

Answer

With my first: weeks 10, 14, 18, 22, 28, 32, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39. 
So far with baby #2: weeks 8, 12, 16, and 20. Appointments scheduled for 24 weeks and 28 weeks.

Answer

I’m an OB RN, and 4 appointments at 12 weeks is a lot. We do not even see patients for new OB appointments until we get a 20,000+ hcg test because that is when you can see the fetus with a heartbeat. That is normally about 7/8 weeks. After that it is once every 4 weeks until you are 28 weeks, then once every 2 weeks until you are 35 weeks, then every week until delivery. We only give ultrasounds at the initial visit and then if your 4 weeks happens to fall on or before 12 weeks, then once at 20 weeks and the last at 35 weeks… unless you are AMA or have a condition requiring us to send you to MFM and then they scan you when you see them. Relax. Baby is fine. Make sure you don’t have symptoms like bleeding and loss of fluids, and if you do call your ON, but baby is ok.

Answer

You can refuse anything you don’t want to do. I refused to do a pap (I had just had one) and “no thank you” was enough. 
Also, I find I get much more attention with my midwife than my OB. They take insurance often, so it’s not costing me anything either.

Answer

More than I've had with any of my pregnancies! I saw the doc at 16 weeks with my first, 9 weeks with my second and 13 weeks with my third. #2 was the only one with an ultrasound before the midterm one, since I was still breastfeeding and hadn't had recent periods. It was stressful because based on my lmp the midwife I wanted wasn't available.. fortunately I ovulated much later!
You'll go about once a month until the final few months, and once a week for the final month until you're due.

Answer

I’ve had an orientation into womens health and 3 blood draws at 4 weeks twice and then at 8 weeks. I have my first appointment with my midwife on Monday, I’m 11 weeks today
With my daughter I seen my fertility specialist at 8 weeks and went to get a blood draw done that week as well
Then went to the hospital to do a urine test at 9 weeks
At 10 weeks had orientation at womens health 
Another blood draw at 11 weeks
And then First appointment with my midwife at 12 weeks

Answer

That’s even more than normal. Typically they do one to confirm around 8 weeks and then you go every 4 weeks until you are 27 weeks then it’s every 2 weeks and at 36 weeks it’s every week. Unless you are high risk than it’s totally different.

Answer

I called when I got my positive at home, they sent a rec to lab to confirm did that and booked my ultrasound for 8w but I don't actually go see my doctor until 15w (should be 12 but he's booked solid) you've had a ton of appointments already, most OBs don't see you until your 12w

Answer

That seems like a lot of appointments by 12w. 
Personally I had an appointment at 8w where we did blood work, ultrasound (dating scan). No confirmation of hpt before that. 
Then again at 12w more bloodwork (NIPT) and another ultrasound 
I definitely didn’t get a pap even though im due for one, I was only given abnormal blood work results but im sure I could have gotten copies if I asked. 
I saw my doctor at each visit. 
Then I had appoints at 16w, 21w, next will be 24w

How many appointments, with OB during Pregnancy ?

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