First Trimester - Doctor Appts

Here go my 101 questions!

What appointments will I expect to have in the first trimester, and what will the visits include?

I already had my first set of bloods done to confirm the pregnancy, and on Monday I have to get another set of bloods to confirm that my hCg is increasing.

At which appointment do you typically find out if there's a heartbeat? When does the first sonogram happen?

Thanks!!!

Re: First Trimester - Doctor Appts

You will have one prenatal visit a month until your third trimester.

Typically a doctor may not give you a sono until 12 weeks which is the Ultrascreen. Its a sono that measures the neuchal fold (in the baby's neck) and bloodwork that tests for the probability of chromosomal abnormalities such as Downs Syndrome.

Other docs will give the first sono (which is done internally) at about 8 weeks. At this point you should be able to see the heart flickering on the screen.

But, remember all doctors are different!

HTH!

Re: First Trimester - Doctor Appts

Thanks, Jess!

Does it make a difference that I see an RE? Will the tests change at all?

Thanks!

Re: First Trimester - Doctor Appts

Usually when you see an RE you will have the b/w for the hCG and progesterone. The first sono is usually with the RE around 6 weeks or so. The RE may do a second sono. If all looks good you might be released to your OB for you typical 8 week first appt. The RE will send the OB your records. You will have monthly appt. with the OB and the OB may do a sono in his/her office at 8 weeks. Then there is the Ultrascreen/Nuchal Translucency at 12w that most people go for. You get so used to being at the doctor and knowing everything that is happening all the time that it can be strange and even make you worry for nothing when the appt. are 4 weeks apart!