Does this sound normal for first visit to OB doctor?

So, I'm calling around to OBs for my first visit ( I'm about 5 weeks pregnant, just got my BFP before the holiday weekend) and I keep getting this as the general plan:

First visit (5-6 weeks prego- they will take me this week): Meet with nurse practitioner and she does my bloodwork, questionaires, prenatals.

2nd visit- meet with doctor - Not until 10-12 weeks. They will do a Doppler to hear heartbeat.

Sonogram is not until I am 20 weeks (unless they decide it's medically necessary to do it earlier)!

They said it has to do with insurance. Does this sound right to you? Most of the ladies on this website seem to be getting their sonos way earlier!

TIA!

Message edited 7/7/2008 7:21:08 PM.

Re: Does this sound normal for first visit to OB doctor?

Some offices are like that

Most offices won't see you at all until you are about 8 weeks

Re: Does this sound normal for first visit to OB doctor?

That is how it is with my midwife......

Re: Does this sound normal for first visit to OB doctor?

Oh, ok... It seemed like most girls on here were getting sonos so much earlier so I kinda freaked out. Thanks

Re: Does this sound normal for first visit to OB doctor?

It must depend on your doctor. When I suspected I was pregnant, they told me to come in right away and I met with the doctor. She also did an ultrasound that day and I saw the flicker of the heart. Everytime I go back she does sonos.

Re: Does this sound normal for first visit to OB doctor?

This was my schedule except for the sonos...I've had them sooner bc thats the way my dr's office operates I guess

Re: Does this sound normal for first visit to OB doctor?

My doc wouldn't see me until 8 weeks so they could see a decent amount with the sono. At this appointment they went over our medical histories, took blood and urine, did a pap (I was due), and told me what I could expect at future appointments. My next sono (if I opted not to do the ultrascreen) would have been at 20 weeks.

Re: Does this sound normal for first visit to OB doctor?

It COULD also depend on who your insurance carrier is. Not all companies cover all services the same way.

Re: Does this sound normal for first visit to OB doctor?

Some doctors do things different.

Re: Does this sound normal for first visit to OB doctor?

I think it all depends on your Dr. if you have concerns and think you should have a sono sooner talk to them!
XOXOXO
BOTB

Re: Does this sound normal for first visit to OB doctor?

I guess it depends! I has my first OB appt 2 weeks ago and I was 5.5 weeks.....the dr did a pap, sent me for all the bloodwork, gave me tons of sample prenatals and he answered all my ?s.

I go for my 1st sonogram this Friday, I'll be 8 weeks!

Re: Does this sound normal for first visit to OB doctor?

I had my 1st sono at 6 weeks, the second at 12 and I think I will have another at 20. My dr. appointments have been every 4 weeks since week 5.

ETA: I was so worried I wasn't getting "enough," but I spoke with a lot of pregnant friends/family who told me to relax.

Message edited 7/7/2008 8:54:52 PM.

Re: Does this sound normal for first visit to OB doctor?

I had several sonograms when I first got pregnant - but that was because I was seeing an RE and got pregnant with her help.
Once I "graduated", I did not have a sonogram with my regular OB until my level II at 19 weeks.

Re: Does this sound normal for first visit to OB doctor?

Re: Does this sound normal for first visit to OB doctor?

Re: Does this sound normal for first visit to OB doctor?

Re: Does this sound normal for first visit to OB doctor?

Guess it depends on the doctor. I started out at an RE so it was different for me. I had sonos at 5w5d, 6w5d, and 7w5d and then I was released to my regular OB at 8 weeks. My OB had me in for my Ultra Screen at 12 weeks and then again at 20 weeks for my Level II. I just had another sono today as well at almost 29 weeks to check the baby's size as I was diagnosed with GD last week and they want to make sure the baby isn't growing to large.

Message edited 7/7/2008 11:09:19 PM.

Re: Does this sound normal for first visit to OB doctor?

That sounds right to me. I called my doctors office at about 4wks and they didn't want to see me until 9wks. So at 9wks I had an ultrasound and they checked the heartbeat. Then I just had a 17wk ultrasound for my Level II.

All sounds accurate. Congrats!

Re: Does this sound normal for first visit to OB doctor?

Like other posters had mentioned already I think it depends on the Dr. and the insurance. I was only aloud 3 sono's and I had a different carrier for each pregnancy (2).
With my first I went at 6 weeks, 19 weeks and 37. They had to be sent out so I needed to go to a Radiology place for them. With my second it was 12 weeks, 20 weeks and 34 weeks. I also needed to sent somewhere for these.
Now my dr. had a sono machine in her office and if she couldn't find the heartbeat or if I had concerns she would check but it wasn't I guess official since it didn't go through the insuracne company. I had maybe a total of 6 sono's with DD.

Re: Does this sound normal for first visit to OB doctor?

The only thing that sounds odd is that they don't send you for a 12 week sonogram or the Ultrascreen. I would ask them about that.

Re: Does this sound normal for first visit to OB doctor?

I went in around 6 weeks for a questionaire and bloodwork with the nurse practitioner... back at 8 (really 9 because they cancelled my apt) for an exam and sono... again at 13 (again... should have been 12 but I am a week off now LOL) to check everything and a surprise sono (I was told at this point we'd start using the doppler)... from then on it was every 4 weeks to check blood pressure, weight, doppler, etc...

Re: Does this sound normal for first visit to OB doctor?

Re: Does this sound normal for first visit to OB doctor?

I agree that it totally depends on your insurance company. Some companies won't pay for more than 1 ultrasound unless it's medically necessary. As far as the ultrascreen, you're entitled to have it, but your insurance may not cover it b/c the company doesn't think it's medically necessary based on your age, family medical history, etc. When I had mine, I had to sign something saying I agreed to pay the cost of the ultrascreen if my insurance company didn't cover it (I'm pretty sure it was covered though).