My first doctors appt is coming up and i was just wondering....?

Question

what do they do at the first appt?

Answer 1

Hello Samantha and Congratulations! I am really happy for you! What a wonderful, exciting time for you.
Is anyone coming with you? It is always nice if the baby's father can accompany you but some mothers feel more comfortable if it is just them and the doctor.
You know, every doctor is different and what one doctor always does another doctor might never do! It is rather hard to give you a detailed description but I will give it a shot. This is a brief run down of what the doctors in this area do.
You will be weighed and your blood pressure will be taken. Your heart rate will be taken. If your pregnancy has not been confirmed by a blood test you will probably be given an order for one or perhaps a urine type test will be done then as well as a urinalysis. Sometimes the urinalysis is done at the lab where they do your other lab work and sometimes they are set up to do it right there in the doctors office. The nurse will usually take a very careful health history. She will ask you a lot of questions. It is important to answer her truthfully. You may not think that a specific question seems relevant but believe me they do not ask questions just to be nosey, they are for the health and well being of you and your baby.
Sometimes the doctor will have you come in her office to talk to her before you get into a gown and sometimes they will have you put on a gown and meet them in the examining room.
They will do an external and an internal exam. How thorough they are just depends on the doctor. Some will listen to your heart very carefully, some will listen to your breathing very carefully, others will barely touch upon these things. Most will examine your breasts very carefully to check to see if you have inverted nipples, (very important for feeding your baby).
The internal exam is very much like any one that you have ever had before. ( I am assuming that you have had one before). You may have a Pap smear.
One thing that I always tell new mothers to do ( and something I did myself) is to buy an inexpensive, small, spiral notebook for each pregnancy. Start by writing down the first day of your last period and any other odd little things that you remember, like any spotting or pain. When ever you think of a question or something that you think you would like to discuss with the doctor, WRITE it down in your little book! Carry it in your purse or put it somewhere that you will NOT lose it! If you leave your purse over on top of your clothes when you change into your hospital gown, grab the little notebook so that you have it in your hand. The doctor may try to zip out after she examines you and you will not have time to get your hands on the book! Hang on to it and do not let her leave until you have your questions answered. If she tries to leave just tell her that you have some questions that you need answers to. It is a good idea to write down brief answers to what she says, write down the spelling of certain conditions that she mentions so that you can know how to spell them when you look them up later. This can be a big help! Also when people ask you a question you will actually be able to answer it. We tend to get so excited that we forget.
Keep that little book and you can refer back to it, it will become a handy little journal of your pregnancy.
Some doctors will do more things and some will do less, everyone is different.
IMPORTANT.....if you do not like the doctor that you see, and if your insurance will allow it, find another! You do not want to go thru your entire pregnancy with a doctor that you do not like! That is no fun and is counterproductive. If you do not like him or her you may not call when you really need to, or you may be less inclined to. If possible find a doctor or midwife whose personality meshes with yours, it is really important.
Another thing, if your doctor practices with a group of doctors find out what assurance (if any) you will have that "your"doctor will see you every time and will actually be the doctor that delivers you. This might be very important to you. Do the best you can to find a doctor whose attidtude meshes with your own.
This is one of the most exciting times in your life! The last thing you need is a doctor that will rain on your parade. Make sure that your doctor knows how important it is that your partner, or the baby's father is with you at the time of his/her birth. If breastfeeding is very important to you, (and it should be!) make sure your doctor knows that! If you want to avoid an episiotomy you will want to find a doctor that understands this. In short you need a doctor that matches your needs pretty well. It may be impossible to find a doctor that agrees with you on every issue but you will need to decide what your priorities are and try to find a doctor that agrees with those at least.
I hope I have given you a pretty good idea of what to expect. This is typical of what doctors in this area will do and also typical of the experiences that I personally have had. I have 5 children.
Take care honey. Enjoy your pregnancy. If you like to read, try the book "What to Expect When You are Expecting." It is a wonderful book.
Good luck and have fun!
Love and Blessings
Lady Trinity~

Answer 2

On my first appt. I didn't get an internal exam. The doctor got my entire history, including the family history. I had the pee in the cup moment and an ultrasound. I had plenty of time to ask all of my questions and get answers. I got a script to go for some blood work. Other than that it was nothing big. Don't stress about it!

Answer 3

At my very first appt., they did an ultrasound. They thought they would have to do a vaginal one, but we ended up just barely being able to see the baby, through the stomach one. They did a pap smear and a STD test. They weighed me. They took urine. They drew blood. They took a FULL medical history. They gave me a due date. And I think that was about it. It seems like a lot, but it really boiled down to a lot of sitting around and waiting. Good Luck!

Answer 4

They take tons of blood, lol. I was so surprised when this girl just kept pulling viles out, I figured she's just looking for the right tube, no way at least 6, but that was 8-9 years ago. They ask you every single question imaginable, and the measure you, and check your weight, if you think you're far along enough they may check for a heart beat, don't be alarmed if they don't it may be too soon. Then they should tell you about all the things you should and shouldn't do.

Answer 5

checks the size of your uterus by doing an internal, weight, pee, blood pressure, tells you your expected due date based on your lmp, tell you what to expect in the upcoming appts i.e. how they are scheduled once a month etc., it's alot of talking about what you should and shouldnt do, a good time to bring up any concerns. You will also get blood work done either at your drs or they will send you to a lab. I think that is about it! BEst of luck and congrats.

Answer 6

i'm at 19 weeks. My final appt, they took urine pattern blood rigidity, heart value, weighed me... then positioned me in a room, dr asked how being pregnant exchange into treating me. Had me lay returned on table, we listened to infant's heartbeat and felt on tummy slightly. That exchange into it! not undesirable in any respect. My next appt I ought to the fasting glucose. ugh! i would be starving!!!

Answer 7

my first appointment consisted mostly of paperwork, vitals, bloodwork, and a urinalysis. They asked alot of questions ( Are you stressed?... Do you get morning sickness?... things like that)
It really just depends on your OB-GYN, some will run more tests than others, some do pelvic exams, but nothing to worry about.

Answer 8

that is completely variable. What did you say you wanted when you called? It is oftne "meet and greet" Often the exam is a gimmick -- a subtle one-- to get to know you. Today test are overused. See my site-- no, don't send money.