First prenatal visit - what to expect?
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Anonymous
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Hi all,
I'm just a week away from my first prenatal visit (at Cap Hill - Kaiser), and I'm curious about what to expect? Can anyone share their experiences? What was done? How long was the appointment? Sounds like sadly I won't get to have it with my OB - it's just whoever is working that day - was this a big deal to others? Also, any good questions to ask, that you are glad you asked? Maybe that the answer was a surprise to you? First pregnancy so this is all brand new to me - any advice or information appreciated! |
Anonymous
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At mine there was a transvaginal ultrasound to see what was going on and date the pregnancy, a quick consult about taking prenatals, don't drink, etc., and a very rough outline of what to expect in terms of upcoming visits (timing, spacing, etc). The ultrasound was exciting but the rest was kind of anticlimactic.
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Anonymous
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I'm also a patient with Kaiser.
The main thing they do at the first appointment (assuming you're 8ish weeks) is the ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy, check the heartbeat, measure the fetus, and get your due date. Heads up that it's a transvaginal ultrasound. You'll get to see the fetus on the monitor, and the doctor will likely print a picture for you to take home. Beyond the ultrasound, if memory serves, the doctor will want to know when your last missed period was and I think they also review the parts of your medical history that would be most relevant to a pregnancy (high blood pressure, previous pregnancies, etc.). |
Anonymous
| I absolutely insisted on being at a place that let me see the same doctor for every appointment. I’m minor high risk but stopped seeing the antenatal specialists (with approval from my doctor) because every time I went I basically had to start over with them reviewing my chart, telling them about everything up to that point, etc. I’ve done my research on the whole network and feel comfortable regardless of who does the actual delivery, but in terms of day to day care and visits, seeing one person was a non-negotiable. I’ve become very comfortable and close with my OBGYN and I’m so grateful for that relationship. |
Anonymous
| All of the above. It is exciting to hear the heartbeat but not very much happens in the first appointment and you probably won’t get any info you don’t already know. I wouldn’t be concerned about not meeting your OB the first time. Just make sure you get clear info on what your next appointments/ to dos are and what you are responsible for scheduling. Amid all this COVID stuff lots of places are cutting back on routine appointments and combining multiple appointments together as well as setting up tele health programs. Congratulations on your pregnancy! |
Anonymous
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Thanks all,
I think I would have been able to see the same OB if it hadn't been for this pandemic - so I can't fault them for the new situation. Kaiser has great email communication set up so I'm happy I can deal with just my one doc that way. Do the prenatal screenings/genetic testing get set up at the first appointment? |
Anonymous
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For my first appointment I also had to do bloodwork and they talked about prenatal testing which I had no idea about but it's something insurance usually covers if you are over 35. I wouldn't worry about the doctor though. I didn't have a regular OBGYN before (not with kaiser either) and I went to a practice recommended to me where I rotate through several docs.
I go to a CWC but not this one and found the schedule info helpful. My appointments have matched up pretty well but some like the tdap vaccine and when they do the later ultrasounds can differ. https://www.rockvilleobgyn.com/contents/our-services/pregnancy/what-to-expect-during-your-prenatal-visits |
Anonymous
Hi again, I'm the PP with Kaiser. Yes, they also set up your next appointment, which coincides with the next round of screenings and blood testing. Kaiser covers the NIPT for mothers at any age, so I think they usually have patients come in for that around 10ish weeks. |
Anonymous
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Also a Kaiser patient. Here has been my schedule so far:
8 week appt - in-person transvaginal ultrasound. 12 week appt - in person ultrasound & genetic screenings 16 weeks - phone appt 20 weeks - in person anatomy scan & neural tube bloodwork (previously done at 16 weeks) 24 weeks - phone appt 28 weeks - glucose test & in-person appt 32 weeks - phone appt (scheduled but haven't had) |
Anonymous
Also I'll add, while I have had most communication with my doctor, the two occasions I saw or spoke with someone else were great. Their online medical records make it easy for the other person and both other providers were very kind and personable. I think this experience also helps us get ready for being used to seeing whoever as you won't get your OB for delivery but the the on-call OB at the hospital. |
Anonymous
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I had two babies with Kaiser. It’s been a few years but I seem to remember a nurse sitting down with me after my OB appointment and walking through family history, support services, choosing a hospital, etc. But that was 2016. My next pregnancy was in 2018 and since it was so close after, they didn’t even bother with that and I was probably in and out in 30 min.
They then had me go downstairs for blood tests and tested everything under the sun. The thing about being pregnant with Kaiser is that it’s pretty unlikely that your actual OB is going to deliver the baby so it’s best now to just get used to seeing everyone. With their medical record system, it’s really seamless. |