Frustrated with OB

[Anonymous]

I just found out I am pregnant with baby #3. I have been with the same OB/midwives practice with my last two pregnancies.

So I emailed my OB and asked about getting blood work done and then a dating ultrasound between 6-7 weeks. She just wrote back and said we don't typically do blood work since there is nothing we can do about the pregnancy at this point but if you want to have blood work done today and then again in a week (!) we can do that. She also said we don't do an ultrasound that early (even though I have had it done in the past there for dating between 6-7 weeks).

Super annoyed! I emailed back and asked for blood work done today and then follow up in 24-48 hours (instead of a week) and for an ultrasound between 6-7 weeks. I don't feel like I am asking for anything out of the normal. I did the exact same things with my previous pregnancies with this group. I have not used this particular OB before though.

Am I being an annoying patient? I have had two previous chemical pregnancies before finding out I was pregnant with time around. I am super cautious and nervous with this one even though my lines are getting darker and I am not spotting (like before).

[Anonymous]

I mean, I don’t want to speak to you being annoying because if that’s what it takes to feel reassured, then you should go ahead and ask for what you need. But she’s right - what is an ultrasound or blood going to do? It’s still so early.

Best of luck with your pregnancy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean, I don’t want to speak to you being annoying because if that’s what it takes to feel reassured, then you should go ahead and ask for what you need. But she’s right - what is an ultrasound or blood going to do? It’s still so early.

Best of luck with your pregnancy!

I think the ultrasound or blood test would confirm that it's not a chemical pregnancy. Since OP has had two CPs I think her request is really reasonable, and I'm surprised the OB isn't being more supportive.

[Anonymous]

This is probably an insurance thing. Insurance often doesn't cover a 6 week ultrasound.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all - so ob said we would do blood work this week and again next week. An ultrasound between 7-8 weeks. I guess that is as good as I am going to get.

[Anonymous]

You can still calculate beta doubling times with bloodwork a week apart. A dating scan between 6 and 7 weeks is perfect to assess early viability. I understand your anxiety but if you conceived without intervention, this seems standard. Congrats and best wishes!

[Anonymous]

I know people say the darkness of a line doesnt matter but it's always proven true for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know people say the darkness of a line doesnt matter but it's always proven true for me.

OP here - thanks yes for me too. With my last chemical my lines never got darker and I started to bleed by 15dpo. This time my lines are getting progressively darker and I am not bleeding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, I don’t want to speak to you being annoying because if that’s what it takes to feel reassured, then you should go ahead and ask for what you need. But she’s right - what is an ultrasound or blood going to do? It’s still so early.

Best of luck with your pregnancy!

I think the ultrasound or blood test would confirm that it's not a chemical pregnancy. Since OP has had two CPs I think her request is really reasonable, and I'm surprised the OB isn't being more supportive.

It might confirm it, but there's still nothing that anyone can do. And there might be insurance issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, I don’t want to speak to you being annoying because if that’s what it takes to feel reassured, then you should go ahead and ask for what you need. But she’s right - what is an ultrasound or blood going to do? It’s still so early.

Best of luck with your pregnancy!

I think the ultrasound or blood test would confirm that it's not a chemical pregnancy. Since OP has had two CPs I think her request is really reasonable, and I'm surprised the OB isn't being more supportive.

It might confirm it, but there's still nothing that anyone can do. And there might be insurance issues.

But if it would give OP peace of mind to have a firm answer one way or the other, that's not nothing, and I don't think it should be nothing to her doctor either! If it's an insurance issue, the OB should say "insurance won't cover that, could you pay out of pocket?" instead of just saying no.

[Anonymous]

OP here - I don't think its an insurance issue since my last pregnancy I had two betas drawn within 48 hours and then had a scan at 6w5d and there was no issue. For some reason the OB that I have been seeing with this pregnancy has been very cold and standoffish. Maybe she just doesn't have the best bedside manner or maybe I am too sensitive given my previous chemical pregnancies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I don't think its an insurance issue since my last pregnancy I had two betas drawn within 48 hours and then had a scan at 6w5d and there was no issue. For some reason the OB that I have been seeing with this pregnancy has been very cold and standoffish. Maybe she just doesn't have the best bedside manner or maybe I am too sensitive given my previous chemical pregnancies.

Yeah, that’s annoying. It sounds like you’ve had some difficulty TTC this time and so of course you’re feeling a little sensitive! Can you ask to see a different OB at the practice?

[Anonymous]

After my 2 early MCs my OB let me come in for bloodwork 48 hours apart to check hcg levels for some peace of mind at that early stage, but she was very clear that it was just an indication that pregnancy was progressing, not confirmation that it would continue to do so. Blood testing is not standard at that practice. They would not move the ultrasound to an earlier date. I think I had that at 9 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I don't think its an insurance issue since my last pregnancy I had two betas drawn within 48 hours and then had a scan at 6w5d and there was no issue. For some reason the OB that I have been seeing with this pregnancy has been very cold and standoffish. Maybe she just doesn't have the best bedside manner or maybe I am too sensitive given my previous chemical pregnancies.

Insurance guidelines could have changed. You shouldnt count on what happened in the past to dictate your decisions for the future if you are counting on insurance coverage.

[Anonymous]

You OB is not an RE. A typical OB appointment is at 8 weeks.