-Is it possible to go for an ultrasound before then? We would like a ectopic pregnancy scan.
-Can GP's perform basic pregancy blood tests? We have an appointment on monday to confirm the pregnancy and obtain a referral.
-We presume a nuchal fold ultrasound will be offered at about week 11?
-Regarding supplements, my partner is current taking GNC Prenatual Formula, GNC Folic Acid 400mcg and Maca Gold. We are thinking of switching to elevit only as it appears to be only 1 tablet. Is elevit a good quality supplement? I noticed it was manufactured by Roche which appears okay.
Once I found out my partner is pregnant a few days ago - I am so glad to find this forum as it is a great source of information.
You can always ask for an ultrasound earlier, however I don't believe it is standard to do one to check for an ectopic pregnancy as they aren't very common. If your partner showed other signs of an ectopic pregnancy or had had one previously, then they would.
My GP sent me for all the blood tests, I think that would be fairly standard.
Weeks 11-13 for nuchal fold I think.
Elevit is a pretty popular supplement, although some of the girls find because of the high levels of iron in it, they can get a bit constipated.
Congratulations on your good news - hope it all goes well!!
It is common to go to the GP first (before the OB) to have a confirmatory urine test. GP may then send you for blood tests (checks for blood type, Hepatitis, HIV, immunity to rubella & chickenpox, etc). While your at the GP, you can ask them about ectopic pregnancies - you don't normally have a scan before 11 weeks unless there is something wrong.
You can ask for the NT ultrasound at 11-13 weeks, but you don't have to. If your pregnancy is low-risk, you may not have any ultrasounds until 18-20 weeks.
Re. Supplements - are you taking 2 lots of folic acid? (I presume that the prenatal vitamins have folic acid too?). You probably don't need to take both - 500mcg of Folic Acid a per is fine.
Lots of women on here take Blackmores Gold Pregancy & Breastfeeding, others take Elevit. There have been lots of previous discussions about the benefits of each. I'm going to have a go at putting in a link... Elevit & Folic Acid
My first appointment was with GP who done a urine test to show a positive then sent me to routine pregnancy bloods.
As we were both unsure of dates i was sent for a dating scan. This then confirmed my EDD and that there was a pregnancy as well. Scans are not normally done other then of unsure dates, bleeding or if theres been previous issues such as ectopic.
GP or OB normally offer NT testing. I was around 8 weeks but declined due to the fact both DH and i decided if somethign was found then we would still carry on the pregnancy regardless, so wasnt a needed test. Each to their own on that test.
I had u/s at 6 weeks (dating scan), 19 weeks (routine) and 23 (due to incomplete anatomy @ 19 week scan) this time.
I took Blackmores Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Gold supplements. I did the same last pregnancy as well.
Thank you for the information regarding the GP/Tests/Ultrasounds. This is really helpful and putting everything into perspective for us.
The reason we asked about the ectopic pregnancy scan is because my partner had an oophorectomy when she was 18. Not very knowledgable about this & pregancy we where wondering if this would cause complications. I guess we could ask our OB during the first appointment.
Thanks for the link to the pregancy supplement discussion. We purchased a big bottle of Elevit today and my partner plans to start on that tomorrow.
When I booked into my hospital when I was about 5 weeks pregnant, they sent me a list of the blood tests they required me to have. I went to my GP for them when I was about 8 weeks pregnant. I just took the list with me that the hospital sent so I knew what to ask for!
We also had the nuchal fold ultrasound. We asked for a referal and were given it, even though we werent in a high risk group. When we were 13 weeks pregnant, we had the ultrasound at North Shore Private hospital and then after the ultrasound we also had a blood test. They told me you should have the ultrasound between 11 and 14 weeks pregnant.
Elevit is meant to be good. Personally, I took Blackmores as I heard lots of people say Elevit made them constipated and I didnt want to experience that!
I saw my GP too when confirming our pregnancy, she was great, she gave me a referal to Sydney Utrasound for Women for the 7 week ultrasound to check if all was ok. I would ask for referal on Monday as you need to ring the hotline on the referal form to book appointment and they are usually booked out a week or so in advance so getting it booked now is beneficial, also it costs around $200 - $270 for the first ultrasound, you can get I think 1/2 or more back on medicare. ooh edited to add - I also got the 11-13 week ultrasound referal from my GP which I booked in advance, I had the Bloods done at 11 weeks and the ultrasound at 13 weeks. The Nuchal Fold tests are done by Sydney Ultrasound for Women.
Re the Blood Tests, my GP gave me a form and we got all the Blood tests done which Michele will ask a copy of at your first appointment with her. The tests were Rubella levels, iron levels, blood type, HIV, sugars, insulin, and at least 5 other things I cant remember off the top of my head.
I just took Blackmores Folate only because I had issues taking tablets. However I have heard Elevit is one of the best
Last edited by *Belle*; July 29th, 2007 at 08:42 AM.
My partner is going a bit crazy as she did a test yesterday morning and it's now showing 'not pregnant'! But a few days before we got a few positives! Go figure...
Thinking it could be a dud test, we purchased all the different in-stream tests from the chemists and tried them all getting mixed results.
It appears the initial first few results showed strong positives but as days passed, the line became weaker and weaker.
We visited our GP today to get our pregnancy confirmed via a blood test.
In the meantime, I have booked an appointment with one of the hospitals (which I can cancel at a later date of necessary).
Just hoping the blood test comes out with a conclusive positive result...so stressful for both my partner (mostly) and I.
I guess since we are 'first timers', it appears where are in for an emotional roller coaster ride..
yep the whole thing is an emotional rollercoaster but it seems your partner is lucky as you are v supportive (as is my DH) and involved which is so wonderful. I hope the blood tests come back positive! To make you feel better I did around 5 home tests, then a urine test at Dr all positive and I still insisted on a blood test as I wanted to be 100% sure!!!! let us know how you go - when will you get the results?
Diff brands have different levels. So it's understandable that you may not get +ves on some yet. I'd say used the brand that gave u the +ve and that one alone for now. Use it first thing in the morning (first wee after sleeping more than a few hrs) and see how you go. Tell ur partner not to drink too much before either as that will dilute the hormones and make the test less likely to be accurate. I have my fingers crossed for you and ur DP
A few questions - Ultrasound/Supplements
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