a little shocked!

i went for my first appt (no US) with my DRs partner yesterday. I was a little dissapointed and didnt know exactly why I was there. I "thought" they would do bloodwork or a preg test. she said "but you know you are already preg, you did it at home". I was like hmmm.... so basically I am unsure if the 1st appt goes something like this. Anyone have any opinions? She did the internal but said they wont be able to tell anything at 5 weeks. She gave me absolutely no advice and told me my sever cramping is normal.....LOL...Thanks DR!

Re: a little shocked!

personally I would go to a different dr, I got my BFP and the next day went to the dr, they did a blood test which confirmed I was about 4 weeks along, I went back 48 hours later for another blood test to make sure my levels were going up, then a week later at about 6 weeks they did a sono to make sure everything was where it's supposed to be and to see the heartbeat.

Re: a little shocked!

I would def go to another doctor. I got a blood test and urine test to confirm that I was pregnant and then I came back at 7 weeks for an internal sonogram.

Re: a little shocked!

Did they make you another appointment for a weeks later?

At 5 weeks, I had my annual appt with my doctor but they made me reschedule since I was pregnant and the initial OB visit needs to be longer. They did do a urine test to confirm my home test, but that was it.

At 7 weeks, I had my official first appt and they did do bloodwork (but this did not include a pregnancy test). My Dr doesn't usually do blood tests to confirm pregnancy tests unless you've had previous complications. They did the internal and said there's not much to see at that point so it was relatively uneventful. I did get to sit with the Doctor for a long time though and we went over all my questions, what to expect, medical history, etc. And she did say that cramping is normal...

They sent me for an U/S at 8 weeks where we got to see and hear the heartbeat.

Anyway, I'm not that surprised by the way your appt worked. This may be the normal procedure for this practice at 5 weeks, many Drs. won't even see you until 8-10 weeks since there really ISN'T much to see before then.

Honestly, its all about whether you're comfortable with the practice and how things work there, but assuming you had reasons for going there in the first place, I would check with them and see what their schedule of vists/appts is like first. They should be able to give you this.

Message edited 3/30/2006 8:46:19 AM.

Re: a little shocked!

my doctor wanted me to come in right away. I got a blood test and they told me the do's and don'ts.

Re: a little shocked!

Re: a little shocked!

I have never heard of a doctor NOT taking bloodwork and their own pregnancy test. Did they explain to take pre-natals, give you any other information?I would go to another doctor all together. If this is the partner then this is the doctor that could be in charge of your L&D..and IMO, you and your baby's lives.

Re: a little shocked!

My first appt. was not until 8 weeks; they said that a positive on a HPT was the equivalent of a urine test in the office. At 8 weeks, I had a sonogram (no blood test). I had no bloodwork until 10 weeks in the lab when they draw like 10 vials. I think many doctors do not even see patients until 8 weeks; it all seems normal.

However, it seems like the doctor's attitude was poor...no advice?!?!

Message edited 3/30/2006 9:23:20 AM.

Re: a little shocked!

I totally agree with the rest of the girls! You should go to a different doctor. Where are you located? I have a wonderful doctor in Stony Brook.

Re: a little shocked!

i had my first apt. at 6 weeks and the Dr. told me that all he saw was the sac, and that i could have a miscarriage...basically. But, he told me to come back the next week and that's when he saw that everything was OK and did all of the blood work and all that stuff. the only thing he didn't do at that second apt. was weigh me, which I thank heaven for.

I think that if you go too soon some Dr.'s don't want to go into the whole talk and all of that because they see a lot of times that the pg doesn't last. To them, this is a scientific thing, not an emotional thing like it is for us.

Re: a little shocked!

When I called and said I got a BFP, they told me to come in that day. They did a urine test and blood test. They also did a sonogram, but it was too early to see anything. (Based on my last period they assumed I was further along, but I was only 4 weeks.) I got my prenatal prescription and got to ask any questions I had.

I had to go back in 2 days to get another blood test and make sure the levels were going up.

He had me come back at 5 weeks for another sonogram, not much to see, but he wanted to make sure the sac was where it should be.

After that I did not have to go back until I was 10 weeks.

If you are not comfortable with how the Dr. handled things, you should switch.

Message edited 3/30/2006 9:46:20 AM.

Re: a little shocked!

I would absolutely go see another doctor. It doesn't mean you have to USE that doctor, but I think that seeing an OB is an entirely different relationship than just getting your annual, and you should really feel very comfortable with your OB because these are the people who will be taking care of you for 9 months. I would be annoyed if I went for my first appt. and they didn't do anything. I mean, so what if you got a BFP at home? They still should have at least tested you again. That's like saying, "Yeah, I had a fever for five days." Then the doctor never bothering to take your temperature.

Re: a little shocked!

I called when I got my BFP (I was about 5 weeks) and they did not want to see me until I was 8 weeks. They also told me that a positive on a home test was the same as they would get in the office and since there was nothing to do or see at that point it was not necessary to come in. When I was about 7 weeks, I had some spotting and I insisted on being seen. They did take me and told me that everything was normal. They took several vials of blood and tested for all the usual prenatal stuff I guess; they also did an internal ultrasound and a PAP test (it had been just about a year since I had one).

It sounds like what you experienced is normal, but if you're not comfortable with it look for another doctor.

Re: a little shocked!

well, I was seeing an RE, so they did a sono at 5 weeks. Yoy will not see too much, just a black dot, but it will tell you if it implanted in the right spot, and not in the tubes.

Re: a little shocked!

When I was pregnant with my daughter, my first dr's appt was at 6 weeks, they didn't do any bloodwork, but they did do an internal sonogram.

Re: a little shocked!

My first app't was to a urine test with my doctor to confirm the pregnancy, then a little bit of talking about eating and vitamins, my anxiety disorder and stuff like that - he gave me paperwork to get blood work done and then an app't 3 weeks later for a sonogram - internal. Now it has been 1x a month since then. Not much really happened at first inital app't after my Positive home test.

Re: a little shocked!

Thats annoying! They should have done a urinalysis on you and included a blood test in that just to confirm the pregnancy. I'm also surpried that they didnt do a sono - they should have done an internal (IMO) to make sure everything looked OK at this point, even though they wont see much.

BUT some doctors wont do the sono until about 8wks pregnant so maybe they are waiting for that?