Is there any need??

Just a random thought thats been popping in my head every now and then lately.

With my DD I had the pregnancy confirmed at 6 weeks, and my first OB appt at 9 weeks, scan at 12 weeks, and then 2nd OB appt at 13 weeks.

Is there any need to see an OB in the first trimester?? Because the GP gives you the referal script for the 12 week scan when he confirms the pregnancy, so you can book it and have it without seeing your OB. GP can even give you the results.

Is there any need? I had no issues in my DD's first trimester and my 9 week appt was just a very short "Hello, how are you, have you booked your scan? Then blood pressure and come back in a month."
I'm healthy, do a few short walks every couple of days.

Thoughts??

I didn't see an OB until after 12wks, i saw my GP to get the PG confirmed and they gave me the referral dertails to the hospital.
I didn't have a dating scan but i did go t emergency with a bleed at around 6wks, i saw my GP after that and only saw the OB after having appts with the MW.

I don't think there is a real NEED unless your maybe trying to book in with someone with a high demand and basically just getting in as quickly as you can.

Well, there's only 3 OB's in town (an hour and a half away). One, is impossible to get into as she's only for high-risk.
My old OB should be easy enough to get into as I'm a previous patient. Sort of. I was only with him til 20 weeks, then had to be referred on to Melbourne.

I think aslong as you have a referral to see them then there is no actual need for an appt that early unless they INSIST, i'd be sending a referral in and waiting on an appt.

Personally, for a healthy uncomplicated pregnancy, I don't think there's ever a need to see an OB ;)

But I have no idea how it works with you and your DD's condition, whether that's likely to reoccur or make you high risk etc :hug:

The main reason to see your GP in your first trimester is so that booking visits with your OB or midwife and 12 week scans (if you choose to accept them) can be organised. Some OB's will want to check you over if you have a history of complications but there's no real need to see an OB until later in pregnancy.

The chances of DD's condition happening again is (depending on who you ask) between 1:50 and 1:20.
Complications I had last time:
Gastroschisis (DD's defect)
Oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid)
Severe IUGR (DD was delivered at 34 weeks, weighing and measuring at only a 30 weeker)
Placental Insuffiency (it was aging way too fast, and my left side had given up completely)
Preterm labour (which is linked to Gastroschisis, alot of bubs come early with alot of preterm labour, for some reason)
And then 2 rounds of steriods.

So, I would qualify for the high-risk OB but I'd just rather stay with my original OB. He was fantastic, we even saw him a few times in between seeing Melbourne because they weren't explaining anything to us. So we'd have the ultrasounds and then come all the way up here (150kms to my old OB, 500kms to Melbourne) and get my old OB to explain to us what's happening.

DD's birth defect wasn't picked up til her morphology scan at 20 weeks. I'm going to ask if there's any possibility of having another scan at 16 weeks to see if they can look at the umbilical cord insertion to make sure it hasn't happened again.
It sucks. In America they can pick it up at the 12 week scan, but not here.

Thanks for the replies so far!

I didnt see an OB until about 30 weeks when my blood pressure started to rise. Theres nothing they can do that a normal GP/midwife cant.

That's my thought, although getting a hold of the local m/w is hard. And the GP who was here when I was pregnant with DD told everyone who got pregnant "I don't do the babies" :rofl:

I am going public and don't see anyone til 12 weeks. Until then everything is done by my GP. She has organised my scans and bloods.

i'm not seeing a GP-Ob until almost 18 weeks this time. i've seen my GP a few times for BP (i had PG-induced hypertension from 6 weeks last time) & had my booking in appt with a midwife where i'm having the baby but that's it. i feel really comfortable this way (despite the BP last time & having GD) & am actually finding it less stressful. i'm doing the follow through journey with a student midwife & am seeing her for the first time this friday.

maybe you could call your old ob & see what they say?

I go private, and my OB never wants to see anyone until 12 weeks.

As long as you see a GP who will organise your early bloods, 12 week scan and/or an earlier viability scan, then you actually wouldn't see an Ob until after 12 weeks HOWEVER You should make a booking with your Ob as soon as you get a referral from your GP becausea good one is usually hard to get in regardless of if you are a former patient or not.

As soon as I get the pregnancy confirmed ( :2ww: ) I'll book in with my OB. I'm happy to wait to see him until 15 weeks. It just doesn't phase me.

I'm going private and saw my Ob to confirm my pg - I don't like my GP, and because I knew my Ob could do an u/s in his office. Usually he doesn't see anyone until after the NT scan or at about 15/16w.

If you did want to see the high- risk ob, you could book a preconception appointment. Then you're able to see if you like her and will be on her books.

I dont see the point in seeing anyone in the first trimester generally, except to get referrals for bloods and scans or to build a relationship. Otherwise it's really just peace of mind, which can be important, depending on circumstances.

With regard to scans, given our history, we'll be having more too. An ob suggested we have them at 12, 15, 18 & 20/21 weeks at least. You may be able to do something similar.

GL

I wouldn't both if you already have a relationship with an ob. But if you don't know one a d want to go private it helps to shop around. Also if anything happens you already know them, your not meeting them at a stressful/ emotional times.

I'll be seeing my OB for the first time at 9 weeks. He was the same OB as for my girls and is also the fertility specialist I went to so he well and truly knows my history. Its his normal practice to see all pregnant women at 9 weeks, refer them to the 12 week scan and bloods, and take it from there. Does nothing my GP couldn't do, but I know for a fact his office has more "pull" than the GP's office in getting appointments at one of the better sonographer's in Perth.

Otherwise, TBH I figure I choose OB care so why not see the person I am wanting for my pregnancy care right from the start.