First OB appointment timing

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone. I'm new to all the testing for early pregnancy, and am just now getting bloodwork done. What I'm wondering, does the OB usually schedule a first appointment based on the hCG and/or progesterone results, or is that coupled with the weeks of gestation? I think I've read some women going in as early as 5 weeks for a scan, but more usually something is detected on a scan at the 8th week mark. Thanks for any input.

[Anonymous]

Most OBs won't see you for an US until 8 weeks.

Fertility patients (IUI, IVF, etc) usually have blood work and at least a 6 week US before transferring to an OB.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks PP. The nurse at the OB's office said something quickly about needing to have a level of usually at least 1000 for hCG before the OB will check for anything on a scan. So it made me wonder if they will do several blood tests along the way, before say the 8th week.

[Anonymous]

My OB did not book an appointment for anything with me until almost 8 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks PP. The nurse at the OB's office said something quickly about needing to have a level of usually at least 1000 for hCG before the OB will check for anything on a scan. So it made me wonder if they will do several blood tests along the way, before say the 8th week.

That's never been my understanding. Unless your situation is special in some way (early bleeding, fertility patient, suspected ectopic, etc.) most won't do anything until 8 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the practice. First pregnancy, I had one blood test, then a scan at 8 weeks that showed a missed miscarriage (baby passed at 6.5 weeks). Was really nervous about the same thing happening again, so next time I asked for two blood tests to check on doubling. OB also offered an early scan at 6.5 weeks, where we saw the heartbeat. Then 8 weeks on.

Now pregnant again and got the doubling betas (first around 5 weeks, when I got the home positive test, again a few days later) and the first scan at 8 weeks.

[Anonymous]

OP back .. thanks PPs for this continued dialogue. It's good to read about what others have experienced.

[Anonymous]

Hi all, this is the OP. I just wanted to mention that I'm going in sooner than I thought (sometime in 6th week), because I had some bleeding recently. So, not sure if things have worked out. (Otherwise, my first full appointment would have been in week 7).

[Anonymous]

Good luck OP. I bled my entire first trimester and I have a healthy 6 year old, so hopefully all is well with you.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, PP, that's so kind of you and gives encouragement. - OP

[Anonymous]

OP back ... just to update, if anyone was following. Regrettably, it was a loss. But I have to keep the hope going.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the update OP. I am sory for your loss.

[Anonymous]

OP here; thank you, PP

[Anonymous]

I'm so sorry OP (this is 14:18 who lost the first pregnancy around 6.5 weeks). I was pregnant again within a few months, have a healthy 2-yr-old and am now 16 weeks with #2. Don't get discouraged - so many of us have been there. Hugs to you.

[Anonymous]

Hi PP, OP here again. Thanks so much. I do want to keep hopeful (this was my second loss, first was last year, but I never got the early blood testing). Congrats on your wonderful outcomes, and thanks again.