MY FIRST OB APPT WASN'T WHAT I EXPECTED

[isntsheluvly07]

I had my first OB appt today at the good old Naval Hospital.  Well, I'm 6 weeks 3 days past LMP and all my appointment conisted of was speaking to an RN about my medical history and getting a bunch of literature.  They wouldn't do any bloodwork today and they didn't do any kind of physical exam let alone an ultrasound.  They also have a policy that they do not make appts w/ the doctor until you are 10 weeks past LMP.  Does this sound normal?  It has me a little concerned.  I was hoping to get checked out today and get some reassurance that everything is progressing as it should.  

[JoyRenee]

If you're not an established patient at their facility then your first appointment is just getting that information. Each place is different with different rules that are governed by the head of the hospital. But at your next appointment you will get a pap smear, blood tests (to test for STDs and other such things). You won't get to hear a heartbeat yet, though, at 8 weeks!

[isntsheluvly07]

Thanks and congratulations to you too:)

[ashiepooh]

Hey I didn't realize you were so close to me!  Hehehe  I'm in Stanwood.  WoW!  Hey congrats on being pregnant by the way!

[isntsheluvly07]

I thought they usually give you a physical exam in the first visit and feel your uterus or something.

[JoyRenee]

Actually that is very normal. First they need to verify your pregnancy, which they did, and get medical history. Most doctors will not see you until you are 8-12 weeks. My first appointment is December 10th and I'll be 10 weeks.

So no worries because we all go through this. However military hospitals are a little more strict and not as, um... nice? My sister's experience with an Air Force hospital really stank. I'm so sorry! If there is a place off-base you can go, then try to go there if at all possible.

[isntsheluvly07]

We're at NAS Whidbey Island and in the 2 weeks since I've discovered I was pregnant getting answers and legitamate medical attention as been a nightmare.  And as for what is covered in our insurance the nurse told me today (b/c she was misinformed as they usually are at the Naval Hospital) that I could probably get into see the dr today after my time w/ her and that we could do an u/s and if I didn't see anything I could come back and do as many as we needed.  She used to work in OB and I think she was just there as a temp today.  It turned out she was wrong about getting into see the dr, the receptionist looked at me like I was nuts when I told her I was 6 weeks and wanted to see him.  I asked the nurse to request another blood test to monitor hcg levels b/c my were fairly low last week and then 2 days ago they   2500 meaning that they were even higher than they would have been if they had been doubling every 2 days.  So I was concerned that maybe they were spiking erradically and since my last test was 2 days ago I thought it would be perfect to check again today just to make sure they were steadily rising and it wasn't a sign of ectopic pregnancy.  I asked her to talk to him twice and he said no.  I'm just so sick of dealing w/ these people.  I don't care if I'm being a neurotic hypocondriac that's my preogative as a mother to be.

[jesslee83]

welcome to the military....i've found the navy hospitals suck....if you guys ever get restationed and end up at camp pendleton, you'd be better off going to tri-county, or down to 32nd street!!!

sorry, just thought i'd share that info.....i used to go into the ER at NHCP, and i kept telling them something had to be wrong, but they'd always just give me a shot of toradol and 800mg motrin(military cure for everything that doesnt req penicillin!), and my reg PCM did nothing either....later, i found i had high BP from some infection ****, and after getting pregnant, they went away.....hum......lol

[ashiepooh]

At my clinic you see the rn first, and at 12 weeks see your ob.  But I get the exam, bloodwork and all that annoying stuff done at the 4 to 8 week appt with the RN!  

But every doctor is different.  The u/s depends on your insurance really.  Some only pay for one at 20 weeks ish.  If you have previous problems, they usually do more then one!

[alaysha]

My first pregnancy I didn't get a physical examine or blood work done until I was past my 8th week. Lots of places only give on ultrasound as well and usually that is at or around 20 weeks. I know its hard not to worry but everything will be fine and in less then a month you'll be able to be checked out and reassured. Hang in there!