I'm ten weeks pregnant and have not yet been to a physician.?

Question

I have been waiting on insurance before I go to the doctor. How long is too long??

Answer 1

Medicaid will be retro-active for the entire length of your pregnancy + 3 months post. I went to my appointments, kept my bills and told the office that I was just waiting on the paperwork to go through. They didn't have any concerns about not getting their money.

Talk to your case worker and see what's taking so long. I went into the office with all my paperwork and documents from my 1st exam and was approved before I left. There's charts and they know if you're going to be approved or not... you make this much/month, there's this many people in your household... see where those 2 numbers intersect and they have a good idea. I didn't have a card until they sent it in the mail, but ID #'s (at least here in VT) are just your SSN, and the Dr. office should know that and can run that w/o you having your card there.

Also call your Dr. office and see what they think, if they'll take you, or if they even want to see you now.

Go to Wal*Mart and get some pre-natal vitamins if you haven't already. If they make you puke, get Flintstones and take one in the AM and one at night.

Answer 2

I am NOT suggesting going without pre-natal care... however if you are generally healthy, not taking medications, don't drink, smoke, do illegal drugs, not bleeding, you're probably fine. Get on a good over the counter pre-natal vitamin NOW. If you know what doctors accept your insurance go ahead and call a few and make an appointment, you can cancel if you have to. That being said:

It's pretty common to not see an ob before 10 weeks or so. I've seen some suggestions here that are saying you should have already been, should already have had an ultrasound, should have already heard the heartbeat ect ect. These are not really realistic. Very very frequently an ob can't even find/hear the heartbeat with a doppler until after 10 weeks. They are unlikely to do an ultrasound unless there is some symptoms or problems. (bleeding, unusual pain ect.)

If you are waiting on insurance and have already been told you're at 10 weeks I assume you are waiting on some sort of Medicaid program? If so, (and don't take offence if you aren't, it's just my assumption) or you are waiting on your private insurance, and you are really concerned, contact your local Health Department. They do pre-natal care generally on a sliding scale based on income and if you qualify for Medicaid they will bill them directly. (If you have private insurance and they turn you down you may be able to use the Health department also.)

At your first appointment (depending on the practice and how far along you are) they will do bloodwork to check for RH, std's, iron levels, blood type and antibodies. They'll get a urine sample for sugar and protein (diabetes and urinary tract infections). A full medical history (make sure you tell them everything, it's important!) The doctor will also perform an internal exam and a Pap smear. Weight and blood pressure also.

Congrats and good luck.

Answer 3

As long as you are healthy, is there any reason to go to the doctor? Women have been having babies without doctors for thousands of years and still do in some parts of the world (and even in major cities). Some hospitals require that you have consisent antenatal care to be able to book into them for the birth. Some women prefer to have an obstetrician for their antenatal care so that they develop a relationship with the person who may potentially help out if there's a problem with the birth or baby or even mother during and/or after the birth. You may prefer to use a midwife for your antenatal care.

There are certain tests that are performed at certain weeks for screening purposes. It may help to visit the doctor then. A dating scan is best performed between 8 and 11 weeks but that is really only going to be useful if
- you do not know when the first day of your last period, or the likely day of conception was
. have had irregular periods
. have had an unusual cycle because you recently stopped the oral contraceptive pill, or you recently had a miscarriage, or you are breast- feeding
. had some implantation bleeding which can be been confused with your last period date

Congratulations!

Answer 4

You should always go as soon as possible. You want them to catch problems earlier rather than later. A family doctor is cheaper than an obstetrician.

Do you qualify for your state's State Children's Health Insurance Program or Medicaid? It depends on your income and the state you live in, but some states set the qualifications high. Have you looked into this option?

How long wil it be until you get insurance? If its more than a couple of weeks, definitely go to the doctor now.

Answer 5

Most doctors(depending on your heath) wont see you until 12 weeks. But it does depend on the doctor. With my last son, my first appointment was paper work in the office with a nurse, nothing more. Then they scheduled me for a regular appointment.. Good luck and best wishes.
I may be wrong, but I am pretty sure that the medicaid will go back until the day you signed up, so even though you dont have the card, you should be covered. I would call your caseworker. I am not certain how things work in you state. Good luck and best wishes!

Answer 6

Well dont feel bad, i waited til i was 9 weeks to go, but thats only because i didnt know til i was 8 weeks 3 days. I had my first apt yesterday, i was 10 weeks 5 days, so dont feel too bad. But you should go to the doc within the next week or so, just so you can get all ur testing over with! So you can go get an ultrasound, and hear the heartbeat! Im already scheduled for an ultrasound on Thursday! Well hope i helped you, and congrats on ur pregnancy!!

Answer 7

Dont freak out! I called my dr for an appt when i first found out i was pregnant, about 6 or 7 weeks along. They told me the dr doesnt even see patients for the first visit til they are 9-10 weeks along anyway because before that your uterus hasnt grown enough to feel any larger and they cant hear the baby's heartbeat anyway before then so dont worry about it!

Answer 8

Hi,
My first ultrasound exam was at 12 weeks. That's the one where they check for genetic defects. Before that they didn't really do anything, but weigh me and take my blood pressure.

I know things can get very expensive (unreasonably expensive - if you ask me...) without insurance. Hopefully you'll get that darn thing soon. Don't wait much longer though... make sure you eat right and take your prenatal vitamins (you can pick up the over-the-counter kind at any pharmacy and it's not that expensive).

Congrats and good luck!

Answer 9

My first time was at about thirteen weeks. You don't have to wait until you have the insurance to see the doctor, I am sure they will see you until it goes through then send them the past bill. That is what my midwife is doing.

Answer 10

well I'd say by now you needed to have seen a doctor. I understand the whole insurance thing, but if you don't get the proper prenatal care it could hurt the baby and you. To keep yourself and the baby healthy until you can see a doctor, avoid lifting loads over 20 lbs, avoid smoking/drinking/drugs, take a prenatal vitamin (they can be sold over the counter at WalMart), eat as well balanced as you can, get enough rest and get enough calcium and folic acid. Congrats on the arrival to be. :)