Why do the doctors schedule appointments so far apart?

Question

I am 8.4-8.5 weeks pregnant and I had my first appointment at 6 weeks and a transvaginal ultrasound at 7.6 weeks. He scheduled the next ultrasound at 18 weeks. How do I know that everything is ok between now and then? Do you just assume? Also if I were to have a miscarriage or anything I would bleed correct? I just want to make sure that I can assume it is all ok between now and then as long as there is no bleeding. I do get stomach cramps but Im assuming to expect that with all the changes my body is encountering.

Sorry I am such a worry wort. Just wondering.

Answer 1

Some women don't even get the transvaginal ultrasoud I didn't get an ultrasound until 11wks and that was only because the heart beat couldn't be picked up on the doppler (which is a common problem) so they did the ultrasound to see the heartbeat otherwise my first ultrasound would have been at about 18 weeks. I have appts every month where they check my BP, and they now have started to try and listen for the heartbeat and yes you would usually have cramping or bleeding with a miscarriage and the stomach cramps are probably from you body changing and getting ready for the pregnancy I had them a lot at first. And it is totally normal to worry...I worried if I had stomach cramps and worried if I didn't, I still feel my breast to make sure they feel a little tender...good luck

Answer 2

Your next office visit should definitely be before your next ultrasound. They're usually scheduled every 4 weeks after the 10th week of pregnancy. (My doc here won't even see you until you've reached the 10wk mark due to the increased risk of miscarriage.) The 18wk ultrasound is an organ check. To make sure that baby's organs are developing and functioning correctly. You can usually find out the sex at that time as well.

An ultrasound isn't neccessary at every appt unless your doctor is monitoring for some sort of fetal deforment or abnormality, or you have placenta previa and he's hoping it'll move before delivery. Even then it wouldn't be at every appt.

As long as you're not bleeding, you don't have severe cramping, and your doctor assures you that you're fine, you'll be okay. Mild cramping is normal. It's caused by your uterus stretching to accomodate a baby, and it's also caused by the ligaments that hold your uterus in place being strained.

I'm assuming this is your first baby, everyone is a worry wart with the first. By the 3rd, you feel like a pro. ;D Good luck honey, you'll be fine.

Answer 3

There really isn't any need to see the doctor all that often. If you have a worry or an issue you just call your doctor and he or she will see you. Otherwise there isn't a reason to do so. When you get closer to your due date you will see the doctor more often. Once a week or less depending on how you are progressing.

Women have been having babys for generations without ultrasounds.

If you had a miscarrage you will bleed. Cramps during the first few weeks of pregnancy is normal. If they become severe of you are bleeding, call your doctor.

Enjoy this wonderful experience. Don't worry.....be happy

Answer 4

Ok well I'm a mom of 2 with my 3rd on the way. You appt for the first two trimesters should be once a month unless your a high risk pregnancy.As long as theres nothing wrong at this point theres no need for a ultrasound until your 18th week.As far as miscarriages go no, you dont always bleed. I misscarried at 21weeks in between having my son and daughter. I had a terrible headache one day and the Dr wanted to see me.We checked on the baby and there was just no heartbeat.I also just misscarried again with one of my babys.I was pregnant with twins.So no you dont always bleed.If you feel something is wrong you should call the Dr.Dont be sorry all mothers worry.

Answer 5

That does seem like quite a long time. Normally you go to see your OB once a month in the first 2 trimesters. The 3rd trimester you go more like every 2 weeks and the last month once a week till you deliver. Is it possible that you misunderstood when you needed to make your next appointment? I would probably call the office and see if you can find out if the dr. usually schedules appts. so far appart or if you need to make another appointment in between now and the 18 week ultrasound.

Answer 6

The next ultrasound at 18 weeks that sounds right 4-1/2 months.
Any time you have any questions about your pregnancy you should talk to your doctor. He/she is the expert not us.
Start jotting down the things that brother you and take the written note to your doctor. Hand the note to the doctor and tell him/her these are the things that are playing on your mind. You will see your doctor will not mind answering your questions. If ever a doctor has a problem answering any questions you may have you need to move on to another doctor.

BTW every mother to be is a worry wort so you are right on top of the worry wart chart and it's okay.
Congratulations on your pregnancy, remember to eat right, don't smoke, don't drink alcohol even though I had 5 children and every night at dinner I had a glass of wine and they are fine.
get a moderate amount of exercise. Don't eat for two just eat right!

Answer 7

It is customary to see the OB once every 4 weeks until you get into the 8 month stage, then it changes to every 2 weeks.

Ultrasounds are hazardous when used to frequently. Physicians tend to only do them for diagnostic purposes, often times, only once at about 20 weeks to check development and gender (for you).

To ease your mind, you can look into renting a doppler (after 10 weeks you should be able to hear the heartbeat with one), so you can check on the baby on your own.

When it all comes down to it, there's not much intervention they can do right now. Pregnancy is a very natural process, your body will either carry or won't and no amount of medical technology can prevent a miscarriage, except under extreme circumstances.

If you are worried, you can call your doc and have him check you out, or call the nurse and have her evaluate you.

DON'T WORRY!!

go to www.babyfit.com there are a bunch of women due the same time as you, it helps to have someone to talk to

Answer 8

I think that it's to stop pregnant women getting worried about having to go to the doctor every other week. I was so dizzy during my pregnancy that I wouldn't have wanted to keep going to millions of appointments, but I went to the ones I had to.
It also costs a lot to schedule thousands of appointments for pregnant people.

But, if YOU believe that something is going on that requires medical attention, there's nothing to stop you arranging appointments yourself.
The fact is that the majority of women don't need more antenatal care than they get, and any extra appointments are booked as and when needed.
I hope this answer helps.

Good luck with your pregnancy!

PS You aren't the only one to have ever wondered this, so don't worry about being a worry wart- you're allowed to worry about things during these special months, just don't go overboard!

Answer 9

i'm 12 weeks pg and my first 2 appts were 6 weeks aside. i'm no longer intense probability so i pass each and every 4-5 weeks for the first 30 weeks. Then each and every 2-3 weeks from 31-36 weeks. From 37 weeks until eventually shipping i visit pass once per week. i'm having a unmarried ultrasound at 20 weeks.

Answer 10

My 1st appointment was when I was 9 weeks along. I'm at 12.5 right now and don't go back to the Dr until the 3rd of Oct. If you have any concerns or questions you can always call your doctor. Appointments get more frequent the further along you are