Just got back from my first appointment - thanks for thinking of me, everyone.
This was just my first appointment with my family doctor to let her know that I'm pg. She gave me the standard spiel about what foods to avoid, what nutrients to get, and how to deal with morning sickness. I did a blood test to make sure that I am, in fact, pg. ![]()
Based on the date of my last period, she estimated my EDD would be July 18, but I know from O date that it's more like July 25.
I go back next week for a bunch of blood tests, and then she suggested having my first dating u/s early in December.
One thing I have to decide now is which care provider I want. I have a choice between an OB, a family doc-OB, or a midwife. I had been thinking of choosing a midwife (I believe I'd be a good candidate because I think I'd be low risk based on my age and health), but I am also attracted to the idea of getting my care from a family doc/OB who works in the same practice as my current family doc. The only downside is that the one who would see me, is going away on some sort of short leave in Jan, but should be back by July.
Do any of you have any advice on this?
(If this seems a little confusing for any of the Americans, it's probably because our system is a little different from yours, as ehayes and I discovered. I don't have an OB/GYN and my family doc does my annual girl tests.)

Re: First appt update (BR)
Glad to hear it went well.
Personally, I'm not quite sure how our system works. My family doctor does my pap exams. I've only ever had 2 (with my 3rd coming up on Wednesday) which is a whole other issue with our system not working. I think I would opt for an OB. I feel that the OB would probably have more experience with pregnancy related versus the family MD/OB. Then you always have the option of going to your MD, too, for unrelated issues. I don't know enough about midwives to speak about that.
Good luck!
Glad it went well. Yay for scheduling the first ultrasound!
I'm not much help. I'm seeing a midwife but she's retiring in January and I'll have to switch to another midwife but an OB will be present at the birth who I don't get to meet or pick before hand. Good luck!
I have no experience with a midwife, but if I was choosing between the OB & MD/OB, I would go with the OB. Really though I just wanted to say congrats again!
See, I love my family doctor, and I love their practice, so I'd probably be inclined to go with the MD/OB option.
Also, yay!
We'll just not tell H about this little fact, m'kay?
this, in my opinion it's important that you have a great relationship with this doctor. There is a very precious thing involved and it's important that you trust the person in charge of your and your baby's care.
Congrats again Ringy!
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How exciting! I can't wait to hear all about your u/s. It's such a magical thing the first time you see your baby on that screen
I started out with an OB for the first 20w and after doing a lot of thinking about how I wanted my birth to go I decided that an OB just wasn't the right fit for me and went with a MW. It all depends on what you have in mind for your birth. For me, I wanted a caregiver that would let me go to 42w (my OB wouldn't let me go past 41w), that had a lot of experience with natural birth, and was low on interventions. I got what I wanted--I didn't deliver until 41w2d, called my MW when I was in hard labor at home and she didn't have me come to the hospital yet (since she knew that I wasn't in transition yet and would be more inclined to get an epi if I came in early), and didn't get so much as an IV.
Really though I think it depends a lot on how comfortable you are with whomever you choose and that you're both on the same page. If you have in mind what you want, bring in a birth plan and see what the reaction is from the OB/MW/Family Doc.
BFP#1 11.2.10 | EDD 7.9.11 | HB 7w2d & 8w4d | missed M/C 11w2d | D&E 12.21.10
FSH at 14.5 - 4.21.11 | CCCT - (CD3 8.8,CD10 12.2)| dx w/ DOR @ 28 yrs old
IUI#1 + clomid 8.29.11 (our anniversary)
BFP#2 9.10.11 | EDD 5.21.12 | beta 1 @ 14dpi:232 | beta 2 @17dpi:703 | beta 3 @24dpi:7,174
Baby A HB of 142(7w), 161(8w), 164(9w) | Baby B no HB, Vanishing Twin
Yeah, me, too.
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Cycle 12, IUI #1 - 33m post wash 10/15/10 = BFN
Cycle 13, IUI #2 - 15m post wash 11/16/10 = BFP, missed m/c, D&C 1/3/11
Cycle 15 - 18, IUI #3-6 = BFN
Cycle 20, IUI #7 = BFP!, missed m/c 9/14, D&C
DE-IVF Aug. 2012: ER 8/30 11R, 7M, 4F; ET 9/4 returned 2
Beta 9/18 #1-820, #2-1699, #3-7124
10/1 1st u/s measuring right on track, 125 bpm
Yay! Glad your first appt. went well.
In my case, I don't like our family doctor or the other people at the clinic she works at. I decided not to go to the family doctor at all - I got set up with a midwife and am meeting with her in December for my first appointment. I'm interested in all natural birth and a personal experience, and I am sure I wouldn't get that with the doctors at the clinic.
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