Is this normal? (appointment question)

[estrellita]

I called my OB to find out more info about my first appointment on Thu because I had no idea what to expect. Apparently they don't listen to the heartbeat until at least 12 weeks and don't do an ultrasound until 20. I'm really disappointed because I was hoping to get some sort of information other than labs. From what others have said, this doesn't seem normal. Has this been anyone else's experience?

Running into work now but I'll be back later!

[linz]

My Dr normally does u/s at 12 and 20 weeks. I've had more since I went to an RE plus since I'm having twins. I'm surprised they wouldn't do an u/s at 12 weeks for dating purposes.  A friend of mine goes to a midwife and only got one at 20 weeks so I'm sure some practices do that.

[MrsDarcy]

My practice does their first appointment around 8-9 weeks, but they do an ultrasound with this appointment to date the pregnancy, so you can hear the heartbeat that way. An u/s at this appt isn't routine for all practices. I've heard of many practices only doing the one 20ish week ultrasound as the only one.

I feel like 12 weeks is kinda long to wait on a heartbeat, but that's just based on my experience.

[theatre4life]

My doc does the first appointment around 10 weeks, and she listened for a heartbeat, and did an U/S then, in the office. Then I did a scan at ~13 weeks, and again at ~20. Barring any issues, there won't be any more scans.

[katiek]

The only reason I got an ultrasound before 20 weeks is because I was at a high risk for an ectopic, so it's not the norm here as far as I know. They also didn't listen to the heartbeat until 12 weeks, because it's really not guaranteed that you'll be able to hear it. I was bummed I didn't get to hear it before that, but I know I would have been worried sick if they tried to find it and couldn't.

[nextbigthing]

I heard the heartbeat on my first appointment at 7w4d, but I'm not sure what's normal and what isn't. They have an ultrasound tech there in the office, so I just popped in there before meeting with the doctor.

[megswan]

I am not sure what is the norm, but my practice does do a dating ultrasound at the first appointment around 8-9 weeks. I don't know if that is just for special cases (my cycle was wacky) or all the time. 12 weeks does seem like a long time to wait for the heartbeat, but I guess could be normal at some practices.

[ngdgtco]

I think a dating ultrasound at 8 weeks is typical where I live, but I understand that's not the case everywhere. I'd be surprised if they didn't at least offer you the option of the 1st tri screening (NT scan), though, which is around 12 weeks and involves an U/S and bloodwork. Definitely ask about that at your appointment. They didn't listen to the heartbeat until 16 weeks because my two appointments before that involved ultrasounds.

[demandypants]

I have never heard the heartbeat at my first appointments, I don't think it is that unusual as it can be difficult to find at that point and trying without success is an instant panic inducing moment for expecting mothers. I have had an internal, as well as a discussion with my doctor and received info about the NT scan (the one mentioned above that is optional and happens between 11 and 14 weeks) and the Rx for the bloodwork. This time I also was told to get an u/s but only because my cycles were a hot mess before I got PG so they wanted to confirm the date. However what actually happened was they found I am having twins. So I am very eager for my second appointment with the doctor. I feel like offices with their own u/s equipment tend to be more likely to do an u/s early.

[anaps28]

At both practices I have been with it was an US at 8/9 weeks (unless previous history of mc),12/13 for NT,18/20 for anatomy

[curbsideprophet]

This would be normal at my practice. If you have a problem/concern you may get an earlier u/s. I had one close to 8 weeks with DD b/c I had some early unexplained spotting. I did not have an u/s with DS until about 20 weeks. I suppose if you had no idea on your dates they would do a dating u/s but it is not done for every pregnancy.

As for waiting on the Doppler, I think that I fairly common. It can be hard to find early and just b/c they don't find it does not mean it is not there. No need to freak you out unnecessarily if it is still early.

[aqualuv]

My practice will not see you until you are at least 8 weeks pregnant. At that appointment, they will do a dating ultrasound and that's it. I did not have another ultrasound until 20 weeks which was the anatomy scan.

[FoxInFiji]

My first appt was with NP instead of my OB and they just asked me a lot of questions about our family history, took a ton of blood samples, and set up my dating u/s. My clinic doesn't do u/s in house like many of the other posters.

[tacocat]

My first appt was at about 6 weeks, which I thought was kind of early. All I had done was labs. I went back at almost 11 weeks and she was able to find the heartbeat with the doppler. Last week I went at 15 weeks, and it was just bp, pee in a cup, and she found the heartbeat again.

I'll have my first ultrasound at my next appt right at 20 weeks. It's kind of sucked not seeing anything yet, but now that I've heard the heartbeat a few times I feel much better.

[scribellesam]

This is normal for my OB although they offer a referral to an outside perinatologist's office for the 12 week NT scan if you want to do one.

[ewall]

My OB does a dating ultrasound. Didn't listen for HB at 9 week appt.

[cb]

That is the norm for my office. No ultrasounds until 20 weeks unless you opt for the NT scan. First appointment at 8 weeks but they won't listen for the heartbeat until 12 weeks.

[ringstrue]

There is nothing wrong with not doing an 8 week u/s or not hearing the heartbeat then. The only thing you'd really be missing is an EDD based on embryo growth, but if your cycles and timing where well known on your end (ie you don't have any known fertility issues) then you probably don't have any risks high enough to warrant them.

[shekels1222]

My OB has a dating scan 8-10 weeks (first prenatal appt) and listens for the heartbeat via doppler 12-14w.

[estrellita]

Jul 22, 2014 9:44:22 GMT -5 FoxInFiji said:

My first appt was with NP instead of my OB and they just asked me a lot of questions about our family history, took a ton of blood samples, and set up my dating u/s. My clinic doesn't do u/s in house like many of the other posters.

This sounds like what I'm doing. My regular OB/GYN and the other both weren't available so I'm meeting with a NP. The receptionist said they would go over history and do labs. She said they would set up a dating u/s then if they felt it was necessary.

I'm glad to hear this isn't totally unheard of. I'm an over thinker and a worrier so I was really hoping to get some reassurance that everything was good. I might still look around for a new place to go because their receptionists are seriously rude and make me feel like an idiot for not knowing wtf I'm doing. It's really frustrating

Thanks for all the responses!

[blushing]

Here is the UK you only get a scan at 12 weeks and 20 weeks, unless there is a problem. And the first time they will even consider listening to the baby's heartbeat is 16 weeks. And even then some midwives won't. They say its too early.

[Deleted]

The practice I go to wants to see women the first time at 6-8 weeks.

[Bonita]

I had an ultrasound early on at my 8 week appointment, then again at 11 weeks specifically for the NT Screening, and then one again at 20 weeks for the Anatomy Scan.

I believe those are the only ones my office does.

[picksthemusic]

My practice does dating u/s around 6-8 weeks, NT scan 10-12 weeks, A/S at 20 weeks, and listening to the HB at every appointment once pg is confirmed. Sounds like your OB practice is a little more lax, which is fine (nothing wrong with that), but if you're more anxious, you may want to mention it to your OB, who can make those kinds of decisions (like to do an u/s to confirm viability, etc).

[luv2rn4fun]

The "normal" for my OB is a dating u/s around 7-8 weeks, 10-11 wk appt with u/s, NT scan 11-13 weeks (optional), appt at 15 wks with u/s, a/s 18-20 weeks. I also have a follow-up appt at 20-ish weeks and I think I might get another u/s.

Since I was high-risk due to my losses I've had 7 u/s now (and we didn't do the NT scan) but as you can see that is definitely not the normal.

My OB also does all these, except NT and a/s, in the office. It sounds like because you are seeing a NP and not an OB that that is why you won't get an u/s on Thurs. I'm really, really sorry...I know how frustrating that must be. ((hugs))

ETA:  Any way you can bring up the spotting you had last week and mention that you are concerned and will feel better with an u/s?  Just a thought...it might work

[FoxInFiji]

Jul 22, 2014 10:31:55 GMT -5 estrellita said:

This sounds like what I'm doing. My regular OB/GYN and the other both weren't available so I'm meeting with a NP. The receptionist said they would go over history and do labs. She said they would set up a dating u/s then if they felt it was necessary.

I'm glad to hear this isn't totally unheard of. I'm an over thinker and a worrier so I was really hoping to get some reassurance that everything was good. I might still look around for a new place to go because their receptionists are seriously rude and make me feel like an idiot for not knowing wtf I'm doing. It's really frustrating

Thanks for all the responses!

Don't feel bad.  This is a whole new experience.  I would maybe wait it out on the new clinic thing.  The people you call/talk to the most are the NPs for your OB not your receptionists.  I just tell the receptionist I'd like to talk to a NP every time I call.  They see that I'm pregnant and send me on through to whoever is available. 

The first appt I went by myself, answered all the questions, brought a list of my own, gave them 7 vials of blood and a urine sample, and set up my monthly appts with the OB ahead of time (I recommend this for ease of scheduling if you can).  They gave me a big packet of stuff to read and the What to Expect book.  The nice thing about having separate appts for the u/s is that I know when DH needs to come (it's hard to schedule times for both of us).  He came to my first appt with the OB to meet her but other than that it's been just the u/s appts since the OB ones are just a weight check, blood pressure, and heartbeat check.  It's hard to hear the hearbeat early on (prior to 12 wks). Our practice doesn't look for it that early because they don't want to freak people out when they can't find it.

So if your practice is like mine you'll have an u/s at a different location for the following: dating u/s a week or two after your first appt, NT scan at 12 wks with genetic screening if you opt to have it, anatomy scan at 20 weeks, and sometimes a late one to determine the babies size/position prior to delivery. 

A dating u/s is standard for my area mainly because some of the early genetic screening needs to be in a specific time range.  I would ask for one at your NP appt. 

HTH and good luck!

[gretchenindisguise]

When I lived in the middle, that was normal protocol. So maybe not the usual, but not abnormal.

[estrellita]

luv2rn4fun I thought about mentioning that, but thought maybe I shouldn't since it was so minor. But maybe I will, couldn't hurt!

[imimahoney]

Jul 22, 2014 8:27:20 GMT -5 estrellita said:

I called my OB to find out more info about my first appointment on Thu because I had no idea what to expect. Apparently they don't listen to the heartbeat until at least 12 weeks and don't do an ultrasound until 20. I'm really disappointed because I was hoping to get some sort of information other than labs. From what others have said, this doesn't seem normal. Has this been anyone else's experience?

Running into work now but I'll be back later!

That is the same as my practice. It sucks! I did get a 9 week u/s last time but apparently that isn't standard care anymore.

[christy082]

I had my first appointment around 8 weeks. They do your first appointment at my OBs office between 8 to 10 weeks. The only reason they did an ultrasound after my appointment was to date my pregnancy because I told them I ovulated late. I'll be scheduling my NT scan when I go to my 12 week appointment. It was an option they offered me. And they didn't listen for the heartbeat at my first appointment either