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Hi everyone,
It varies in pg books as to when to have your first ob appt, so what do you girls recommend?
Also, is it at your first ob appt you have your first u/s? When you are making an appt do you need to tell them you want to have an u/s?
Thanks in advance,
Jess
Hello Jess,
I had my first OB appointment at 12 weeks. They booked in for my 12 weeks u/s then. Also my blood work.
I'm not sure what your hospital will be like so give them a call before maybe?
I hope this kinda helps!
I will have my first appointment at 10 weeks 1 day. That was the earliest the OB would see me. But I am actually not sure whether I should go or cancel and just go in Germany instead.
Can anyone tell me what exactly happened at their first OB visit? I wanted to go because I just wanted to experience an Aussie OB before I left and also because I wanted to make sure that everything is okay for me to fly such a long way.
Snowy,
At my first OB appointment all they did pretty much was give me my bounty bag (bag full of free sample goodies) talked to me about the hospital a little bit, took my blood pressure, weighed me, booked my blood work and u/s and that was pretty much it. It was only with a midwife and i didnt see a doctor. They need to see you though so they can schedule you for the birth i was told.
It took about 20 minutes for me. They've all been significantly shorter since then though!!
:P
I think it really depends on your situation, if you are going through a hospital/ public then 12 weeks seems to be the time... if you are going privately then they do things differently sometimes, and the OB's themselves have different structures individually... so its best to call if you are going privately and find out from them, if you have concerns i.e. previous m/c or endometriosis/pcos then they will definately want to see you earlier... and you most likely will have a scan earlier as well...
Christy
I went public and first appointment was at 10wks.
I got weighed, blood pressure taken, urine sample, paper work given to have bloods and ultrasound done a few days later. Went through all family medical history, my past pregnancy etc etc and also received my bounty bag :D
Seems like many moons ago now :)
Love :smt049
Hey Jess,
I'm going to my first OB appointment on Friday. I'll be 6 weeks 3 days. I wasn't supposed to see him for another couple of weeks yet, but my GP managed to bring forward the appt because I'm so anxious about m/c again. If you get really worried about something, then maybe mention it to your GP and they might be able to move forward your OB appt, or at least arrange for an u/s for you.
Lots of luck!!
Mine was pretty much the same as Kathryn's. I was about 10.5 weeks at my first appointment (I went private). Went through the family history, weighed, had urine sample taken, felt my belly and breasts (??), discussed whether we wanted a nuchal translucensy test, got the paper work to have the u/s and bloods - "Any other questions? - see you in 6 weeks" !!
The only thing is I didn't get the bounty bag. I had to wait until my anti-natal class (a couple of weeks ago) before I got it. #-o
Tam
O:)
Yeah Tam at my 10wks when I was preg with Kameron I had a Heart, Lung and Breast check (HLB) done. I didn't with Lachlan though
Love :smt049
Thanks ladies!
So if I go at around the 10 week mark to my first appointment with the ob, does that mean I come back in 2 weeks for my 12 week scans/tests?
Hey Jess,
As the others have pointed out it seems to vary dependent upon whether you are going to go public or private. I'm going private and just rang to make an appt with the OB and I was seen at 6w due to past history and my first scan was done in his rooms on that day. If you don't have any past history of concern, they normally don't see you until you're 10 - 12w, but each OB is different and they will usually tell you on the phone what their standard practice is in this regard.
My OB actually does all the scans himself so for my 12w scan, I just went to him for my usual fortnightly visit and he did it there. Most OB's however refer you to have an u/s so you would most likely get a referral slip or something similar with which to make an appt for this and also to get any bloodwork done at the same time.
At my first appt my OB went through my past history and also family history etc. There were other things discussed relevant to my situation and our concerns as well. I have never been weighed and he has shown no interest at all in my weight which I thought was weird, but I've since read that they are not as concerned about this as they once were provided that everything is progressing otherwise normally with the PG and the bubs is having his/her growth spurts.
I haven't got a bounty bag either!!! Spewing!!!!!!! When do I get this - I hope this isn't another thing that is done in every state except for Tasmania!! I WANT FREEBIES!!!!
Ha on the freebees Tootie... I just unpacked the bag this week preparing... I guess every free nappy counts!! LOL!
Christy
Hee Hee I am looking forward to my first appointment, which is in a week, not only to see how bubs doing but also to get my bounty bag! The best thing is, you get another one when you are in hospital after giving birth, and then you can get another one from Target!
I am going public and my first appointment is when I am 14 weeks. When I had Harry, who is 15 months, I had my first appointment at 13 weeks with a midwife and then went back a week later and saw the ob, who listened to bubs heartbeat, gave me a referral to book my ultrasound and gave me a pap smear. I had the smear cos I had never had one previously and doc said it would be a good idea. Anyway I am assuming it will be a similar arrangement this time, since it is the same hospital.
Bon
Hey Tootie,
I was the same re the Bounty Bag, but eventually got one at the anti-natal class only a couple of weeks ago. No doubt you'll get one eventually, the first one is just filled with lots of brochures, a couple of magazines and a few samples like nappy rash cream, nipple cream, stretch mark cream and maternity pads.
Maybe you could ask at your next midwife/ob appointment - they should let you know.
Tam
O:)
Oh.... :( I never got nipple cream!! or stretch mark cream!! Obviously our stretch marks and nipples arent as importnant in W.A!! O:)
If you join the coles baby club you get freebies too - they give you a little box with samples and things in it and then every 3 months they send you a magazine, which is actually a pretty good read - I look forward to getting mine. The best bit is it's all free and you don't have to necessarily be a regular customer either!
Bon
im a member of that baby club thing but im not pregnant so if anyone wnats me voucher for the box ill send it to them as i have no need for it.. i didnt even realise i was singing up for it.. ohwell
Lesley
I got my bounty bag when I booked into the hospital with the midwifes. I got stretchmark cream, but no nipple cream. Apparantly the stretchmark cream doesnt work #-o , although I've always been really prone to them.
You girls are hilarious!
I am going public, and really want to have the proper tests done by 12 weeks as DH and I are waiting to tell friends until this time.
I am going back to my GP this Friday to get my referreal for my ob, then hopefully I will have an appt somtime after 8 weeks, then again at 11-12 weeks. Do you think this is realistic?
Thanks!
hehe one step ahead of you Bon - guess who went out and got their Coles Baby Sample Box today?!?! Yep, me!!! LOL
Jess - when you ring to make your OB appt they will most likely ask you how far along you are and make the appt accordingly. Generally in the first trimester your OB will see you once a month unless there is a specific reason why they need to see you more frequently. So for example if you see your OB at 10w you probably won't see him again until 14w, so he will probably give you a referral for your nuchal fold scan and associated blood tests at your first appt so that you can get them done at around 12w, as there is only a narrow period of time in which to have those particular tests done, and your OB will definitely know this. If you're worried at all about the timing of appt's, I'd suggest that when you first ring to make your appt, that you actually ask them how frequently you will be seen and mention to them that you want to ensure that you have the nuchal fold scan and associated blood tests done within the appropriate timeframe so that this can be organised.
I think you'll find that it will be just fine and you won't have any trouble getting the tests done in time. And don't worry about asking questions when you ring up because they understand that as first-timers you have a lot of questions and are unsure about the way things work!
Hi Jessica
I totally agree with everything that Tootie has just said. The OB will make sure all your scans and blood tests etc are done at the appropriate times so you will have nothing to worry about :)
Love :smt049
Lesley, I'll have it if you don't want it, because I lost my voucher.
Does the sample box have anything good in it anyone?
I had my first proper appointment at 13weeks, but I wasn't after any of the extra tests, and had my only u/s at 21 weeks. ( i was kinda slack at the start)
You girls are a wealth of information - just faxed in an application for to the Coles Baby Club - Oooooh, I hope I receive something in the mail soon with the voucher for the sample box - and the magazines will be nice to have every quarter whilst I'm at home !! Thanks girls - what would I do with out you all !!! ;)
Tam
O:)
After I sent off my application form to join the CBC it took a couple of weeks before I got my letter back with my membership number and voucher for the sample box.
Susan, the sample box I got today had the following items:
* Weetbix Sample (2 biscuits)
* 1 x 120g tin Golden Circle Fruit Custard Baby Food
* 1 x 140g Goulburn Valley Apple Fruit Puree
* 1 x Ultra Dry Baby Love Nappy (small size)
* 1 x Tena Active Extra Absorbent Liners (2 in a packet)
* 1 roll of Quilton 3 ply toilet paper
* 1 sachet of Am-o-lin baby shampoo
* 1 sachet of Am-o-lin baby bath
* Brochures on feeding baby solid foods and a few other sheets advertising stuff
* Vouchers for PixiFoto and Portrait Palace
All very thrilling LOL but you gotta love freebies anyway!
Ooer at the roll of quilton in there. Never got that 2.5yrs ago when I joined. Quilton very good if you have a episiotomy :)
Love :smt049
LOL Kathryn I was just wondering why it was in there... that is a great reason!
Jessica (ORkids) I've used that stretch mark cream that was in my bounty bag during 2nd & most of 3rd trimester and I haven't a stretch mark yet... but I have been rubbing vit E cream or the sort thats in the bounty bag since 1st trimester and massaging the belly the whole time... so maybe it depends on your skin whether or not it works...
Christy
I too was wondering why the loo paper was present, but that's a pretty good reason Kat! LOL
I so agree about the toilet paper! When I had Harry we only had cheap stuff at home - never again! This time I am stocking up in the event I have another epis.
Only a few more days till my first hospital appointment...
Bon
I had to wait until Daniel was born before I got my Bounty bag. It was in the bottom of the crib in the hospital!! Bit late for strech marks!!
The nutrimetics nutririch oil was what I used for strech marks. I got none on my tummy - but noone told me that you can get them on your bum!!
So my theory is the cream worked, but I shoud have used it in more areas than just my tummy!!
Cannot afford the nutririch oil this time around, using biooil instead (much cheaper)
I have made my first ob appt for 26th May - bubs will be at 12 weeks and it is 2 days before my 25th birthday. So, another question. Will all results be same day for all tests done at the 12 week appt? If it helps, I know I am having an ultrasound. I am really hoping I can be given the all clear by the 28th to tell family and friends.
most results should be back.. it depends... blood tests won't be back yet, but if your ob is the one doing the ultrasound they should be able to let you know straight away what they are seeing etc... some of the measurements they take for different things could take a while for results... so it just depends on the situation... I hope that helps...
Christy
Ditto to what Christy said!
Hi all,
had my first OB appointment today (10 weeks exactly).
We first talked through the medical history etc. and then she talked me through all the testing available. She calculated my EDD from my cycle and came up with 25 Nov (dunno how on earth my GP got 27th ...) and explained how things are 'normally' done (i.e. if you're not leaving the country, lol)
She looked at the U/S slide from my 7 week U/S but didn't say anything about it.
She didn't do an exam at all but she did do an U/S with a small machine with a tiny screen and measured bubs, which was about 2 days ahead of where we thought I was. It was a bit hard to see, cause I have a retroverted uterus, but you could see the heart flickering away nevertheless.
So much to what happened at my first OB appt. It was reassuring to see our snowmonkey and to know that everything is going well.
Snowy
Snowy,
I am sooo jealous! 2 ultrasounds to my 0, and I wont have 1 till 12 weeks.
Everyone seems to think its a bit wierd I am not going to my first ob appt until 12 weeks. Especially not fair as I think I am the most impatient person in the world!
So glad to heard everything is going well for you! Lets hope at my first appt he tells me I am due early December instead, so I am less likely to be a horrible Mum and have bubs too close to Christmas!
Can I ask the ob that if I am late to induce me well before XMAS at the latest? Will he scoff at my request?!
Jessica, you can go and have an U/S any time you want, it's just that you have to pay for it if you have more than I think the 2 covered by Medicare.
I paid 125 Dollars for my first U/S and got back 55 from Medicare - but to me it was worth the 70 Dollars to have the peace of mind that everything was going well.
I didn't expect her to do an U/S today cause her secretary had told me they don't have one, but apparently they didn't count the small one as a ' real' ultrasound- and you didn't really see anything that well - but it was just great to see and be told that everything is going well.
My best friend's husband said he wished, women had a window there, so you could see what's going on .. lol
To have an u/s that isn't performed in your OB's rooms (i.e. to have one done privately) you need to have a referral from at least a GP. You can't just go in and get one IYKWIM....you need to have a request form completed by your GP or OB. It's my understanding that there isn't a limit to the amount of u/s scans that are covered by Medicare - no matter how many you have, they still provide the same level of rebate. The amount that is actually charged by the private u/s office is entirely up to them, however most will only charge the 'scheduled' fee for those people who hold a health care card, meaning that the amount that you are effectively 'out of pocket' in this instance is less. However if you don't have one of these cards or other appropriate concession card, you are up for the full cost, which can be around the cost of what Snowy was charged, meaning that you effectively pay more for the u/s. Does that make sense? I haven't ever heard of there being a limit to the number of u/s's that you can have - it certainly hasn't happened to me and I've had a few private ones over the past 12 months.
Jess - I don't think it's strange that you're not seeing your OB until you're 12w. A lot of OB's don't see you until you are between 10 - 12w, and you fit into that box - you might be seeing a very busy OB perhaps, that's why you couldn't get in at 10w or 11w? But no, it's not weird - it's totally fine! I'm looking forward to reading all about it when you do go!
Snowy - I've got a retroverted uterus too and had to have internal scans until after 12w as they couldn't make out much at all with me. Glad to hear that your little snowmonkey is going well!
Yeah, you can't just rock up at a radiology centre. But I don't think it's that hard to get a referral from your GP, is it? For my first U/S (the $125 one) I said to my GP that I was worried about having an ectopic pregnancy. I think she knew that was a bit of a white lie, cause she gave me a wink and told me to go in 2-3 weeks cause "then you see a bit more".
I only read that about the 2 U/S being covered by Medicare on a different website ... I am pretty clueless about the whole Medicare system - and I am absolutely thrilled to get any money back at all! (the German system works differently)
Thanks Tootie for filling us in on that - so you always get $55 back (or whatever their scheduled amount is) per U/S? I understand the NT scan is not covered though, is that correct? Or do you also get a 'normal' U/S rebate for that?
Snowy
Thanks Snowy and Tootie,
We only have 4 weeks to wait (only?!) so I will just hang in there until my first ob appointment.
Tootie, cant wait to tell everyone on BB about it! I am going to be so excited/nervous beforehand though!
Jess
I'm not aware of the medicare limit on the number of U/S you have, but medicare will reimburse you 85% of the scheduled fee or the scheduled fee less $50, whichever is the greater refund to you. If you exceed an out of pocket expense of I think $800 or $1,000 or something for a calender year then you fall under the safety net scheme and they reimburse you 100% of the scheduled fee.
Re: the cost - my hospital charges different amounts for different stage ultrasounds, so the 1st trimester scans I had (dating & nuchal) only cost me $15 I think out of pocket each. And you definately need a referal from a doctor to have an ultrasound.
I'm not 100% certain how it all works Snowy....i.e. how much you get back for every u/s, but from what I can tell, they charge different amounts depending upon what stage you are at, for example the nuchal fold scan is a different cost to that of the 18 - 20w scan (this has been the case with me). You always get a rebate as Jessica pointed out though. And yes, the nuchal fold scan is covered by Medicare.