I feel scammed!

So I'm 5w pregnant. My first OB appointment is for next wednesday. When I made the appointment, I made it with a practice that was recommended to me by a coworker of mine. I made the appointment last week but failed to ask which of the doctors it was with.

I just called to ask and they said I'm not seeing any of the doctors, but the Nurse Practioner!!! I don't have a problem with NP's but this is my first pregnancy and I'm VERY nervous and I just would have felt better if I was seeing either of the MD's that my friend recommended to me.

Not only this, but I asked her when they do the first sono and she said 18 WEEKS!!!! OMG my DH is going to have a fit! He wanted to see this bean the minute it was concieved. I don't know if he can hold out until 18 weeks!

Re: I feel scammed!

I guess it depends on the practice, but the NP at my practice is wonderful and totally competent. NP's can usually do almost everything the doc's can, except deliver. Actually, I think I saw the NP at my first appt.

That is weird about the sono though...most places will give you one earlier than that...around 8,9 weeks.

Re: I feel scammed!

Maybe the whole sono thing is because of insurance. Mine wouldn't cover one before my level II unless i went for the ultrascreen. So I had to wait till 18 weeks.
And I didn't see the doc until 8 weeks. The nurse just took blood to confirm it early on.

Message edited 9/26/2007 5:17:37 PM.

Re: I feel scammed!

Personally I would NOT wait until 18 weeks for a sonogram, that is crazy

I would find a new practice....I would not worry about seeing a NP though, they are very educated and skilled

but I would want I sono by 10 weeks, latest

Re: I feel scammed!

For both my pregnancies, I saw the NP first. It is common in a lot of large practices that can afford to have NPs.

I didn't see my doctor until I was almost 11weeks pregnant.

As for ultrasounds, they only do them for specific reasons so they can be covered by insurance such as a dating sonogram to see how far along you are. They should also discuss an ultrascreen with you which is the first test for birth defects and usually done at 10-12 weeks. That is the reason that most women get an u/s at that time period. Since I declined it with my first, my 1st u/s was done at about 20weeks.

Re: I feel scammed!

I would find another Dr if your not happy! As for the sono, if your only 5 weeks your not going to see a lot, they baby is TINY!! I would tell them you would want an earlier sono like 10 weeks.

Re: I feel scammed!

a sonogram at 5 weeks isn't going to show much of anything, but I wouldn't want to wait until 18 weeks. Ask them if an earlier one is possible.

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with seeing a NP. So early in your pregnancy, there isn't much they are going to do anyway.

Re: I feel scammed!

I saw a NP when I was first pregnant. They don't really do much and most doctors will not see you until around 8 weeks.

Not having a sonogram until 18 weeks would get me worried. What about the ultrascreen around 12 weeks?

Re: I feel scammed!

Re: I feel scammed!

18 weeks!!!!!

After a m/c and differing sonos, there is no way I would wait 18 weeks for a sono. How will you know everything is OK?

Sorry to worry you but there is no way I would wait that long.

Re: I feel scammed!

What doctor are you going to?? I can give you the name of mine. ( ijust started with them too!) They gave me the sono today! I did have a problem with one doctor before I found out I was preggo...I'll tell you about her if you want to go to mine! I would def switch if you aren't happy!

Re: I feel scammed!

The ultrascreen is where they do the nuchal translucency sonogram & take a little blood to test for a few genetic issues (trisomy 13, 18, Down Syndrome) if a young woman's #s indicate the need they may recommend an amnio, over 35, regardless of the #s they suggest it. Its done @ 11 or 12 wks. An ultrasound is just another name for a sono.
I'd mention to the OB about the ultrasceen. Good luck!

Re: I feel scammed!

I saw the NP for my first appointment and loved her. She was very informative and helpful. Don't understand about the sono thing though....

Re: I feel scammed!

I saw the NP for my first visit, but the fact that it was booked with a NP was made very clear to me. I was a bit upset about it but I was already a satisfied patient at the practice and I still wanted to use my doctor from there. After that first visit, I realized that so much about the first visit is routine dissemination of information and that the NP handles those visits all the time and knows how to explain everything fully and answer questions. My next visit with the doctor was just around the corner anyway.

As for the first sono being at 18 weeks, that is odd and I would not want to wait. In fact, my doctor uses a sonogram at 8 or 9 weeks to lock in the due date. If you opt for the ultrascreen, it has to be done by about 12 weeks anyway, but they may not be counting that one b/c it is often done at a different location.

Message edited 9/26/2007 7:05:42 PM.

Re: I feel scammed!

Re: I feel scammed!

I actually have a friend in Providence RI, she works in Boston, I'll see if she knows anyone affiliated w/ that hospital.

Re: I feel scammed!

5 weeks is early for a sono but 18 weeks is too long to wait. I would request an earlier sono or if you want to find a new doctor.

Re: I feel scammed!

Re: I feel scammed!

I saw the NP at my first visit. The only reason why I had a sono before 12w is because I had complications. The OB was always available for my by phone if I had questions, and by appointment if I had an issue.

Re: I feel scammed!

I did not see a np, but if it bothers you in the slightest you need to change it, also I would not wait that long for a sonogram, that seems very odd as there are opt-in tests that you may choose to have that need to be done prior to then.

I will add, I started out at one practice ,that is EXTREMELY popular on Long Island and had gone there for several years for my yearly exams. It was highly recommended, however, once I was pregnant it was a whole other story. I went there at the beginning of my pregnancy and it became quite clear I was not happy, different doctors, didn't get personal attention, nothing was explained, it was just not right , for me.....this too is my first pregnancy and if I have learned anything at this point, I'm now 24 weeks, it is that you must be happy and confidnet with your doctor. I have had a very unexpectedly difficult pregnancy, filled with numerous issues and I am very, very thankful that I switched and found a practice that understands and works with me....sorry so long but I truly believe you need to be somewhere you feel confortable. It can make a big difference.

Re: I feel scammed!

I originally went to a big practice and all I saw were NP. And even when I ended up in the hospital at 3 months, the NP is the one that came to the hospital.

I quickly switched. It was not for me. I needed a smaller office.

Re: I feel scammed!

Most of my appointments are with the NP or the PA, because there is only one doctor in my practice. I didn't see the doctor until not too long ago and that was just because he had an open appt. I really don't mind because the NP and the PA are great.

If you have a problem then call the office and talk to them.

As far as the sonograms my insurance only allows 3 sonograms per pregnancy. I would ask the doctor's office why they wait until 18 weeks.