What happens at these prenatal visits besides checking the baby's heartbeat, my urine and vitals?

Question

I am 20 weeks and my doctor has yet to measure my fundus or examine my breasts, cervix, etc. I'm wondering if I need to get a new doctor. They have done some blood work. They didn't even screen me for gestational diabetes and diabetes runs in my family. My doctor listens to the baby's heartbeat, checks my urine and the MA checks my vitals and weight. Other than that, I feel like I am going there just to visit with him!

Answer 1

Your appointments sound very normal to me. These early visits are a visiting time. You can visit with him about any strange feelings/symtoms you might be having. He will have you pee in a cup each time, weigh you, blood pressure check, baby heart beat check etc. You are getting close to measurement time. Just be patient. Your doctor is doing fine

Answer 2

I have been pregnant now 4 times and with each pregnancy had a different doctor. My visits have always been the same with each. First visit, they would do the pap smears, pelvic exam, examine breasts, etc.....then take the blood tests. Then all the other times I went, they would check urine, measure fundus, listen to the heart beat and check weight. Between 18 to 20 weeks they did the ultrasound. THen at around 26 weeks they do the gestational diabetes test and then towards the end, around week 35 or 36 they check the cervix for dilation. It was like that for all 4 pregnancies. I would get a new doctor if I were you. DOesnt sound right. I find what all these other women are saying to be strange... If you look at www.babycenter.com about first prenatal visit it will tell you also what I just said. Same type of visit.

Answer 3

Well, I am 12 weeks pregnant, and have had my breasts checked, BUT, it was only because I got a pap smear. I'm not really sure if they automatically do a pap smear for pregnancy, both my best friend and I both received paps at our first visits, but I'm pretty sure it was because I was due for one, and she hadn't had one in years. Ask your doctor about it, but if you have never had a bad pap, and have had one in the last year that is probably why you have not had a pap smear, or had your breasts examined. Remember, you can always check your breasts yourself once in a while. Theres nothing to it, and I think it took the doctor a whole 10 seconds to check mine.

They won't screen you for gestational diabetes until you are further along. I think somewhere around 26 weeks. Gestational diabetes runs in my family, and they explained that I won't be tested for that until later on. Getting your cervix checked doesn't come until much later. If you're thinking of a pelvic exam, then that is also something thats done when you have a pap smear.

If you feel like you'd like to have these things done, you can always request a pap smear, and I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have a problem with it. Otherwise, thats about all they do... vitals, weight, urine and MA checks, and the heartbeat. Seems like it isn't alot, but that's about all there is to it.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Does your Dr have you laydown and then feel around your belly? If so, he's checking the fundus, he's just not saying anything because your proably right on track. You won't get checked for Gestational diabetes until between 26 and 28 weeks. And besides my first visit, becuase I had my yearly done at the same time, my dr never checks my breasts. I think you are fine with the doctor you have. You could call to check with him when he'll do the gestational diabetes test, but if you go every 4 weeks, you probably wont' do it for 2 more appointments.

Answer 5

Sounds normal for 20 weeks along. The diabetes testing will be done about 25-26 weeks along. Checking the baby's heart beat and your urine/blood pressure/weight are what you're normally going to experience while you're there. When you're late in your pregnancy (like when you're seeing your OB once a week) he might do a pelvic exam every time you're there to check on effacement and dilation, but that's not always the case.

You pretty much ARE just going to visit him, it's important that you keep him up to date on everything you're experiencing, get all your questions about labor, etc. answered ahead of time, and checking the fetal heart rate is very important. Also, there is a good chance your doctor is measuring the fundus, ask him if he's keeping a record of it in your charts. My doctor always measured mine using his hands (it's "approximate length" anyway, however they measure it) so there's a good chance your doctor has been recording that information before or after listening to the heart beat.

And, there's no reason to exam your breasts unless you feel a lump or have a cause for concern. That's something that's only done on your annual visits to the ob/gyn.

Answer 6

They will test you for gestational diabetes at about 26 weeks. They will start measuring your fundus at around the same time. Your cervix will not be checked until 35 or 36 weeks. Sounds like he's doing all that he should be. Why would they examine your breasts? That's done at your annual when they do your pap smear.

Answer 7

If you are concerned about the gestational diabetes, maybe tell the doctor let him or her know that it does run in your family and you would like to get it checked. It sounds like they're doing everything they've done with me. I'm at 20 weeks and I'm going in for another visit this week and I think it's when they're supposed to measure the baby... We'll see.

Answer 8

The screening for gestational diabetes will be done between 24 and 28 weeks. He will start checking your funal height usually at 20 weeks. Also, your big ultrasound to check everything out on the baby should be done before 22 weeks.

Answer 9

Sounds right to me. They dont do much in the beginning. The only thing is that you should be having an ultrasound soon but other than that everything sounds normal. Oh and they dont check for gestational diabetes til about 24 wks

Answer 10

They will do the diabetes test later on (28 weeks is when they will do mine). And don't worry about the fundal measurements, she/he will do them probably at the next appt. She didn't do mine until 17 weeks, and truthfully she doesn't seem to worry much about them. So far, your exams sound just like mine!! However, she did check my breasts at the first appointment and she did a pelvic exam. Maybe you should get a second opinion.