Sorry to be so annoying, but I am so confused I think I might just have a nervous breakdown!!!!!

And I blame all these books and the internet for giving me too much information and not totally answering my questions!!!!

Then I call my doctor and I'm not totally satisfied with them either.

According to them I go every month for a checkup. That's it!
The freakin nurse ther is such a PITA that she told me I wasn't having a sono next week, but my doctor said I WAS so we could hear the heartbeat........what is going on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So then I asked when I have the ultrascreen and she said that the ultrascreen is not done because of my age. I feel like they wouldn't even have mentioned it if I didn't bring it up!

She said at 15-16 weeks I get a bloodtest called an alph fetal protein, I have no idea what that is.

I told her I am very uncomfortable not having some type of schedule or IDEA of what comes next.

I am so confused I could cry.

Re: Sorry to be so annoying, but I am so confused I think I might just have a nervous breakdown!!!!!

I think it is the case that you go once a month, until towards the end when the visits become weekly. Or if you have a complication.

The heartbeat I *think* could be without an ultrasound (no picture). So far I've only seen the heartbeat, not heard it, so I'm not sure.

I thought the ultrascreen was for anyone, but maybe it is just for those over 35? of w/a family history?

Re: Sorry to be so annoying, but I am so confused I think I might just have a nervous breakdown!!!!!

1. Every 4 weeks an appt- when you get to 30ish weeks they increase to every 2 weeks, etc.

2. You should hear the heartbeat at every appt from now on. Even office visits. You dont need a sono to hear it they have a little microphone thing.

3. If your young and not high risk you should get all your answers from regular scheduled sonos

4. Your gonna get a ton of bood tests! That one is for cystic fibrosis and downs I believe

Breathe! Try and just go with the flow

HTH!!!

Re: Sorry to be so annoying, but I am so confused I think I might just have a nervous breakdown!!!!!

First, calm down.

Second, the dr's office seems correct. You usually go for a check-up once a month. They just weigh you, do a urine analysis, blood pressure check & the dr will feel your belly to estimate the size of your uterus. My dr uses a doppler (looks like a microphone) to hear the hb at every check up.

The ultrascreen is optional & not always recommende because of false positives. I didn't get it & my dr didn't bring it up either. You can have it done if you want though.

The afp measures fetal proteins that can be traced in your blood stream & looks for abnormalities. After that, you have the level II sono which examines the baby's measurements & identifies gender.

Some dr's are against unnecessary sono's because of conflicting research on fetal effects.

Message edited 4/25/2007 2:13:43 PM.

Re: Sorry to be so annoying, but I am so confused I think I might just have a nervous breakdown!!!!!

I am surprised many OBs *don't* give a schedule. During my first visit, we get a breakdown of when we see the doctor, when we get the tests, etc.

Office visits are typically 1x a month until around 32 weeks--then they get closer together until you're practically going every other freakin' day!

I got sonograms at 8, 13, and 20 weeks. The 13 week one was the ultrascreen and it is routine regardless of age in my practice. The AFP test is done in connection with the ultrascreen and the blood is drawn at 16 weeks.

I didn't hear the heartbeat until 12 weeks and that was with the doppler thing.

Hmmmm...what else? Your Level II ultrasound is around 18-20 weeks and the gestational diabetes test is around 26 weeks (simple--drink beverage; wait one hour; blood drawn).

Anyway, that's my breakdown of events. Hopefully, your OB can give you some better idea of your timeframe and of course, if you're not comfortable, don't be afraid to switch doctors.

HTH...sorry so long!

Re: Sorry to be so annoying, but I am so confused I think I might just have a nervous breakdown!!!!!

"According to them I go every month for a checkup. That's it!
The freakin nurse ther is such a PITA that she told me I wasn't having a sono next week, but my doctor said I WAS so we could hear the heartbeat........what is going on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

You do go once a month until the end when it is once a week.
You may not get a sono at next visit, my doctor used a microphone for the heartbeat only.

"So then I asked when I have the ultrascreen and she said that the ultrascreen is not done because of my age. I feel like they wouldn't even have mentioned it if I didn't bring it up!"
There is a 12 week ultrascreen (Level I)and a 20 week ultrascreen (Level II) .. Are they perhaps doing an amnio instead?


"She said at 15-16 weeks I get a bloodtest called an alph fetal protein, I have no idea what that is."
That is the AFP or Quad Screen test. It will test for chromosone disorders --- down syndrome, Trisomy 13/18, etc ... Not needed if you are doing Amnio


Also know that you are not REQUIRED to take these tests ... they are your choice!

Re: Sorry to be so annoying, but I am so confused I think I might just have a nervous breakdown!!!!!

Yes, I think she said the heartbeat is done with a doppler, I guess that has no picture.

I am definitely getting the 20 week test, but she said I am not getting this 12 week one, only if I request it.

Re: Sorry to be so annoying, but I am so confused I think I might just have a nervous breakdown!!!!!

"She said at 15-16 weeks I get a bloodtest called an alph fetal protein, I have no idea what that is."
That is the AFP or Quad Screen test. It will test for chromosone disorders --- down syndrome, Trisomy 13/18, etc ... Not needed if you are doing Amnio


Also know that you are not REQUIRED to take these tests ... they are your choice!



NO amnio for me, that's why I am so confused as to why I am not being OFFERED the level I. I know I am not required to take these tests, but they aren't even giving me the option!

Re: Sorry to be so annoying, but I am so confused I think I might just have a nervous breakdown!!!!!

Re: Sorry to be so annoying, but I am so confused I think I might just have a nervous breakdown!!!!!

I know that my visit next week is just listening to the heartbeat, checking my weight and drawing the AFP. HTH

Re: Sorry to be so annoying, but I am so confused I think I might just have a nervous breakdown!!!!!

Posted by Elbee

Posted by curliegirl
NO amnio for me, that's why I am so confused as to why I am not being OFFERED the level I. I know I am not required to take these tests, but they aren't even giving me the option!

SKIP right over the nurse and speak to your doctor directly. Find out why they did not offer the ultrascreen! I would be ticked off too!

Message edited 4/25/2007 2:32:54 PM.

Re: Sorry to be so annoying, but I am so confused I think I might just have a nervous breakdown!!!!!

First of all I think you're stressing a tad too much...which is not good for you or your growing baby. I didn't have my first sono and we didn't see or hear the heartbeat until 9 weeks...after that you visit your doctor every 4 weeks until you're in your 30 something week.

U/S is usually done at 12 weeks, if bc of your age you're not having U/S then at your next visit your doctor will inform you why and what other alternate tests he will administer.

Just try to go with the flow, and reading too much and taking all the information in can be very stressful, so try not to read and analyze too much.

Re: Sorry to be so annoying, but I am so confused I think I might just have a nervous breakdown!!!!!

Re: Sorry to be so annoying, but I am so confused I think I might just have a nervous breakdown!!!!!

I heard the heart beat at my 12 week visit without a sono so you may be able to at 11 weeks.

The ultrascreen is an optional screening test that your doctor should offer to you regardless of your age. Also, from what I heard, it has a lower false positive rate and is more accurate than the AFP test so if you are considering screening tests at all and don't necessarily want to do an amnio then I would definitely ask your dr about it. There have been a ton of threads on the various tests since I have been pg (Dec.) so I am sure if you do a search it will educate you a bit BUT, that said - your main resource should be your doctor!

I am also under 30 with no family history of any problems and have not had any problems myself. My dr. sat me down at my first visit and told me what was done and all the various optional screening tests and the pros and cons of each and left it up to me to decide - I really think every doctor should do this!

Hope this helps

Re: Sorry to be so annoying, but I am so confused I think I might just have a nervous breakdown!!!!!

First- you're not annoying!!!

I think some of us might have had a different Dr.'s schedule due to various reasons. For me, for example, I'm a high risk pregnancy. At first, the Dr. thought the baby might be in my uterine wall.. his exact words were, "If the baby is in the wall and it grows, you could die". He is no longer my Dr. (after I stressed out over a weekend waiting for the radiologists reports). I just didn't like what I thought was a lack of knowledge or compassion!

I've been going once a month, but every time I went, the did do a picture sono. I'm also 37 years old. They stopped the picture 2 months ago and listen to the heartbeat with the dopper.

At my 20 week, I think I've mentioned they thought they saw a cleft lip/palate so I had to go back to make sure baby was ok. During that long weekend of worrying, I turned to the internet to do some research. My best advice, honestly, is don't do that. It'll drive you nutty!!!!!!! As hard as it is, know that your Dr. will know what your game plan is for your pregnancy and you can talk to him/her about it face to face. To try to get answers on the phone today, might only make you start to stress more b/c they won't know until they're able to access your particular situation.

Just think, as far as sonos go, when our Mom's were pg, they didn't have all this modern technology and they never got a sono.

Re: Sorry to be so annoying, but I am so confused I think I might just have a nervous breakdown!!!!!

I have only had 3 sonos (I am 32 weeks) and 1 was because I had spotting. All the other times, she just listens to the heartbeat with a doppler.

Once a month is normal, next week is my first bi-monthly visit, then 1 more after that, then I go every week until buddha makes an appearance.

DON"T STRESS!!!!!

Re: Sorry to be so annoying, but I am so confused I think I might just have a nervous breakdown!!!!!

Gina
They should give you a list of what goes on and what week it occurs!!!

Re: Sorry to be so annoying, but I am so confused I think I might just have a nervous breakdown!!!!!

Re: Sorry to be so annoying, but I am so confused I think I might just have a nervous breakdown!!!!!

1/ Don't listen to the nurse
2/ Ask your dr at the next visit (should be every 4 wks unless you are high risk or around 28-30 wks) what the list of tests/visits/glucose/etc... that need to be done... the timeline.
3/ Ask about genetic counseling. We went to see somebody else than the dr for that. They will tell you your risk and what tests are available then discuss those with your dr. Most of the tests are done at 12-16 wks.

ETA: I had my fist sono at 8 wks, then at 12 wks. Then I had one at 16 wks because I had an amnio and then one for follow-up. The last one was for the level II (21 wks). I have to schedule one for the growth sono (32-34 wks) but not all dr. do it. The rest of the time, she listened to the heart beat. Now she measures my belly in addition. It really depends on your age, medical history (yours, your SO, your family)

Message edited 4/25/2007 4:46:57 PM.

Re: Sorry to be so annoying, but I am so confused I think I might just have a nervous breakdown!!!!!

I would speak to the doctor directly and not even bother with the nurse..

Additionally most doctors give you a bunch of prenatal information..most of the time the schedule of tests and protacol is in there.

Re: Sorry to be so annoying, but I am so confused I think I might just have a nervous breakdown!!!!!

i am about two weeks ahead of you - but i can tell you what i have had done so far,

my first sono was scheduled for 7.5 weeks where we saw the heartbeat ( i actually had one two weeks before that becuae of spotting but that was not on the schedule) - at that appointment they took blood and a urine sampple. my dr explained the ultrascreen to me and asked if we wanted to have it done - we agreed and it is scheduled for 12 weeks.

my appointment last night was 11 weeks 2 days - i had an ACOG(where they fill out a family history and we answered 100 questions) a pap smear, left a urine sample and had a quick sono since they werent sure we would hear the heartbeat yet and the dr wanted to just check everything was ok

we are scheduled for the untrascreen on monday - i will be 12weeks1day.

my next obgn appointment is scheduled for four weeks from yesterday - i will be 15 weeks - they wont do a sono - but listen to the heartbeat.

hope this helps

Re: Sorry to be so annoying, but I am so confused I think I might just have a nervous breakdown!!!!!

I can understand your paranoia b/c I went through exactly what you went through with the m/c. The first 12 wks. for me were grueling... I needed to hear the heartbeat 3 times to be sure with this pregnancy....

I had my first sono at 6.5 wks.. b/c of my m/c they brought me back at 7.5 to confirm all was well...... and it was... then the next appt. was 4 wks. later and we saw the baby again (not ususal, but my doctor was nice to offer).

I had the ultrascreen at 12 wks, but I know two of my friends at work were never offered it. From what I understand, that is because it produces many false positives and some doctors do not feel it necessary. I had a complication at 12 weeks that requires me to see the doctor every 2.

However, had I not I would be going every 4 weeks.

I had the AFP at 16wks. as well, then a level II at 20 wks. My doctor did give me paperwork when I first got pregnant detailing all of the tests.

I would call your Doctor and speak with them directly. If your still not happy with the outcome, maybe you should think of switching?