First Obstetrician Appointment 20 wks ?

Question

is it okay that my first Obstetrician appointment is booked for my 19 - 20th week of pregnancy ??

I dont have a Family Doctor And this Obstetricianist is the only one taking new patients.... and her only opening is January 11th and im 8 weeks pregnant now..

Grr now this makes me worried.... no other doctors and to me that is a bit late for a first visit.... but what other choice do i have if thers no other doctors accepting new patients :(

Answer 1

Well if you dont have a choice I guess it is ok, but I had mine at 5 weeks (I think that most people usually go around that time).

Answer 2

Honestly just for myself I don't set an appointment before about 20 weeks. I went at almost 22 this time and almost 20 or my son. I wasn't having any problems so I don't see the point of going in and running a bunch of tests early that work just the same later so they can sap more money. Naturally had I ever thought there was a reason I'd have gotten in sooner or went to the ER. But there's really nothing that is done early in a healthy pregnancy that effects the outcome. If you have basic questions on diet, vitamins or general heallthissues you can easily ask them at the health department or a womens center minus the big bills and rushed feeling you get at the doctor's office.

Answer 3

It will be okay, I didn't have my first visit until I was 16 weeks, insurance and doctor availability. You will just go more often now. Probably every two weeks until you are on track. First visit will be blood work and family history, then a pelvic, pap, and breast exam, and then a sono probably around 24 - 25 weeks.
Good luck just keep eating right and taking your prenatal vitamins also you should get a bottle of I think it is dha that might be wrong but it is a fish oil and a few other things that help your babies brain development. Ask the pharmacist at Walmart they will no what it is. A bottle is like ten dollars for a month supply but it is good stuff. It helps keep the weight out of your face another plus, and it really is good for the baby.

I wish you lots of luck with you and your little bundle of joy.

Answer 4

Maybe your regular GP/family doctor could see you sooner. He or she may be qualified to at least run or order the basic tests that are usually done before 20 weeks. Did you tell the doctor the reason for making the appointment?

If the OB can't see you at all until 20 weeks I'd be concerned that s/he wouldn't see you often enough during the rest of the pregnancy, usually every 4 weeks from 8 until 28 weeks, then every 2 weeks until 36 and every week after that.

Some of the tests they will run are to test your HCG levels (can help determine multiples), ultrasound to determine a better conception and due date, Neuchal Translucency screening which is now recommended for all pregnancies, and routine weight, blood pressure and urinalysis at all appointments to monitor overall health of you and the baby.

Answer 5

Seems irresponsible on the part of the doctor and I wouldn't go to him anyway. You can try calling back the others and explaining your situation.

There are routine testing options (the first trimester screening and the quadruple marker test) that both must be done before that. Also, you need a pap and full bloodwork to be sure YOU are healthy, never mind the health of your baby.

I had a situation (not pregnancy - a cyst) where I needed to see an Ob/Gyn and none in my medical group would take me for several weeks. My insurance was able to step in and secure me an appointment and also assured me that they would refer me to another provider outside the group if necessary.

I would call your insurance today and say, "I need prenatal healthcare and these providers cannot give it to me" - for your insurance company, it is a potential lawsuit, so they'll do something.

Answer 6

If this is your only option, well, its better to get in there late than never. Is there another alternative? Could you see a nurse practitioner or a midwife? I went with midwives through my first pregnancy and they did a wonderful job. I am now on my second, and had the option of seeing an OB, and opted for the midwives instead. Something to look into . . .
By the way - if you haven't started already, take some prenatal vitamins. One other suggestion: buy the book "What to Expect When You're Expecting". Its very informative!

Answer 7

If you could find a family doctor sooner that would be good. Even if you have to pretend you don't know you are pregnant and let them do a pregnancy test.
Then they can refer you to an OB doc. Sometimes they can get you in sooner.
Is there even a clinic you could go to and get a reference from them like a health department or a clinic for people that don't have insurance?
If you can't, don't worry about it.
As long as you are feeling ok every thing should be ok. If you are sure you are pregnant and start bleeding or cramping go to a hospital ER.

Answer 8

Thats pretty late in your pregnancy for a first visit. If your doctor can't get you in sooner, I would find a new doctor. Your first visit is the most important. They will do blood work to determine if further testing needs to be done. At 20 weeks, you are getting pretty late in your pregnancy for follow up testing if there are any problems. If you have no other options, be sure to eat healthy, and take your prenatal vitamins, you can buy them OTC at any drug store.

Answer 9

I suggest looking for Women Health Centers in your area. They take uninsured women as well, as women who dont have a primary care doctor (I've been there!) they are the best bet for you, and will take you, let them know how far along you are and just make a appointment, don't get sick over all the negativity you're getting, I had the same thing happen to me. They are the most understanding and helpful for pregnant women.

Best of luck, and well wishes to you and your baby.

Answer 10

Ideally you would have your first appt. by the end of the first trimester. But, If there's nothing you can do about that fact, then I wouldn't worry - especially if your doctors are aware of how far along you will be at that point. Some women don't even find out they are pregnant until they are very far along, because they kept bleeding regularly throughout the first few months or because they were on birth control that kept them from having periods.

Answer 11

if the doctor knows you will be 20 wks and is not trying to squeeze you in sooner, then I wouldn't see that dr anyway! Even if you have to travel quite a distance, I would find another dr. There are routine tests that get done before that time and it's better if you can have them done. Plus, if something goes wrong you want to know about it asap.