Partners and Doctor's Appointments

[Anonymous]

None. Most of the appointments were routine and quick, and I didn't see the point in him being there. I updated him afterward.

I'd suggest taking him to any ultrasounds, and the first appointment where you can hear the heartbeat. Also, the baby classes, maternity ward tour, etc. (my BF came to those.)

[Anonymous]

My husband came to the first appointment, to the appointment where we did the 12-week NT ultrasound, an appointment around 17 weeks where I was (unnecessarily as it turns out) freaking out about cramping, the 20- week ultrasound appointment, and I told him he didn't have to come to any more. He offered and said he was happy to go, but I just didn't think it was a good use of his time.

They are so quick and he's very busy this time of year, but will have months off once the baby comes. He did come to a 1-day lamaze class and a hospital tour, and I think he'll come to a 36 or 37 week appointment as well, just for the heck of it, to see how things are going, and maybe the following ones as well.

[Anonymous]

My husband came with me (thank goodness) for the 9 week scan where we found out we lost our twins. If he hadn't been there I would've been lost. He got me out of the office and into the car and away from everything.

Now I am 6 months pregnant with our first child, and it is reassuring to have him come to the appts. He missed one visit (I told him, oh it's no big deal) and then they couldn't find a heartbeat and I had to wait 20 very long minutes alone to get an U/S to see that everything was fine. So now he makes it a point to come along...

I think if everything hadn't happened in the past I wouldn't feel that way but having someone to help handle anything is more what I need right now.

[Anonymous]

For ds #1, dh came to every appointment.

For ds#2, dh came to the 8 week and 20 week appointments.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks everyone for your own experiences. We just had our 8 week ultrasound and heard the heartbeat and saw the arm and leg buds. I think it was a more emotional experience for him than it was for me Of course he will participate in birthing classes and hospital tour. Getting to know the providers isn't relevant for us since we live in another country and are receiving all of our prenatal care here but will deliver in the DC area (that's another can of worms entirely!)

[Anonymous]

I'm 34 weeks. My hubby came to the sonos - I do think that's important/nice. I think now he'll come to a few appointments just to meet a few of the physicians (it's a groups practice) and since we're closer to due date to ask questions about labor and delivery. It didn't seem necessary for him to come for 5 minute routine appointments.

Just do whatever feels right to you as a couple.

[Anonymous]

My husband came to most of them except toward the end when they were so frequent. With my first pregnancy, at the first U/S there was no heartbeat, and I am so glad he was there with me when we got the bad news. With the 2nd, we were mindful of that and happy and relieved to be pregnant again (with what turned out to be a healthy little boy) so he came to most. If we have another child, I think he would come for the major ones--ultrasounds, NT test, etc., and perhaps to meet the new docs in the practice, but I wouldn't bother with the routine checks.

[Anonymous]

My hubby has been to almost all of mine (36 weeks). Mainly, because it's easy - my midwife sees us on Sunday nights in our neighborhood so we can walk and its a nice evening together. She really likes for both of us to be there to ask questions, etc and she knows she'll get a straight answer from him on "how has your diet been?"