Do you think it is ok to miss just one doctor appointment at 5 months?

Question

Ok so the other question about whether or not it is legal to not see a doctor during pregnancy inspired me to ask this, because i dont see what the big deal is. opinions welcome, here is the deal: im about 5 months right now and because this month is so busy and im so tight on money, i called the other day to cancel my monthly appointment for december. all they ever do is have me pee in a cup, weigh me, and then check the heart beat. 5 mins and im out the door and i have to drive 2 hours there and 2 hours back home just for that so i didnt think it was that big a deal to miss just this month. i understand later down the road is more critical but the receptionist totally threw a fit on me and said i couldnt wait that long. she actually had the nerve to tell me that she was responsible for my pregnancy! im sorry but this is my child and my body and i am the only one ultimately responsible for either of us so if i decide i cant make it to ONE appointment that should be on me, right? plus,

i am having an ultrasound done this weekend so that is kinda like a check up isnt it. i mean they will be able to see the baby, hear the heartbeat and take measurements so they will know if the baby is ok or not. why is it such a big deal if i dont go back for the regular check up only 2 days later? i already have one daughter and my pregnancy went completely fine with her and this one is going good so far as well so there is no reason to think anything will be wrong...

i already checked to make sure, there is no testing scheduled for this appointment. and its just ONE! not the entire pregnancy!

Answer 1

Honestly this time around I am not going to make such a big deal to get to all of my appointments. I probably won't even go in to see the doctor until I am around 16 weeks.

You're right, they don't really do anything for you early on, and there's not much they can do for you that early. 16 weeks was my baby's heartbeat appointment so I don't want to miss that!

As long as you are leading a healthy lifestyle and taking your vitamin there is no problem with missing an appointment here and there. Believe it or not, your body is designed to make a perfectly healthy baby with no problems!

Answer 2

there are women who don't see the dr at all and deliver at home and are fine. On the other hand, there are those that need to see the dr. At the 5 month appt, they usually do the triple-screen which checks for down's syndrome, etc. Some women don't even do this test becuase the results don't matter to them. This is the time when it is most accurate. That may be the only thing you miss. The Strep B is in the eight month and glucose tolerance, I believe is done at 6 or 7 months.

Added note- In the US if you have an HMO or PPo, you should only have to pay a copay once at the dr. Then you pay at the end of the pregnancy (they give you a bill with the baby) only if you have a deductible or coinsurance. I remember with my old insurance, I paid $20 at the first visit, then something like $70 at the end. This next child, I will owe something like $1500 or more because of coinsurance. Check into what your insurance charges, because, like I said, most maternity visits do not require a copay each time you visit the dr.

Answer 3

First, I don't think missing one appointment is a huge deal, but it's not a great idea.

Second, if your doc is so far away, why not find one closer to home? With the cost of gas what it is, there is no way I could afford to drive 4 hours round trip to see a doctor, so I have found doctors close to home for myself and my kiddos. I LOVE my former OB/Gyn, but his office is about 35 miles away (which with traffic can eaisilly mean an hour and a half each way), so I found one who is closer. This doc is not as in tune with my crazy crunchy ways (extended breastfeeding, natural childbirth, etc.) but I am comfortable enough to have some minor disagreements with the doctor. She may not be a huge advocate of unmedicated childbirth, but I have been through it a few times, so I don't need a doctor who is completely on-board.

Third, being "busy" is not a great reason to skip a prenatal appointment. I would say find a new doc who is closer to your house. If you are so tight on money that the cost of an office visit is a problem, there are government programs to help with the cost. You can join them even at 5 months. If I recall correctly, that is around the time when they test you for things like diabetes.

Answer 4

Hello,
Let me start out by saying that I have 8 children and 5 were born at home delivered by my husband.I'm a direct entry Midwife.With that said.You will be just fine If you miss an appointment .The pee is for checking if there is sugar present.measuring is the check the growth(1 cm a week after 6 months)The heart beat is to ensure that the baby is not stressed or has demised(movement will rule the later one out).I have not seen a doctor for 8 years now.but I also eat a vegan diet and live a pioneer lifestlye.
Hope this helps

Answer 5

The only time the office gets that upset with you missing an appointment is if there is something wrong with the baby. This happened to a friend of mine, they kept making her come in for non-stress tests and ultrasounds and wouldn't tell her what was going on. Then, they wanted to induce her into labor and still wouldn't tell her why. Turns out the baby had the cord wrapped around her neck and died before she could be born. Can we say malpractice lawsuit? Sure we can! You make sure that doctor is telling you everything and warn them if they are keeping anything from you that might harm your baby, you will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.

Answer 6

One appointment isn't the end of the world. However, they like to check your blood pressure, any protein in the urine, if you have gained an excess amount of weight, if you may have some kind of infection and make sure you don't have any conerns. Yeah it seems like a waste for 5 min in the office but those 5 min could have an impact on you and your baby. Maybe you can reschedule it for a time that is more available to you.

But the receptionist really didn't need to say those things to you on the phone. And ulitimatly its your body and your baby, so the choice is yours.

Answer 7

Doctor's are just funny! I would call the receptionist back and explain that you have an ultrasound in a couple of days. They just don't want to be held responsible if anything happens! You are right, it is your body and your baby! The receptionist is just doing her job! I went through the same thing with all 3 of my pregnancies!

Answer 8

The only reason it would be a rpoblem would be if you are high risk for miscarriage or putting your own l ife in danger, I dont think missing one will hurt you, I have 3 kids I was fine with all of them to miss an appointment or two.

Answer 9

I agree with Amanda Nicole. There is a reason we go see the doctor on a montly basis. True, you may be lucky enough to not have a problem, but WHAT IF there is a problem?? Don't you think 4 hours out of your day is worth your baby's health and safety??? In all probability, your baby will be fine. But are you willing to take that chance?

Answer 10

I would not advise skipping appointments. Even though the appointments seem cursory, they ARE important - your blood pressure, urine and the quick check of the baby's heartbeat can all reveal serious problems if any develop.

Since you are scheduled for an ultrasound, it does offset the danger a bit. Perhaps there is a clinic closeby that can just check your blood pressure/urine.