1st Doc Appt - What to Expect

Hello, World.

I know when I found out I was pregnant - I was anxious to see the doctor. Something about hearing it from a 'professional' makes it really set in that it's "real." (Of course, your missed period and 3 pregnancy tests confirm it, but trust me when I say that it becomes even more real when the doc tells you so!).

I thought the visit would go like this:
I'd go to the doc with my hubby. I'd be sitting on the "bed," with hubby holding my hand next to me. The doc would bring in this machine, rub some type of gel on my tummy that would feel cold and uncomfortable, and bring up a visual...showing me that there is something actually in there! I thought, at the very minimum, the doc would do a blood test. Measure my HCG levels. Call me in again to see if they've doubled and everything is normal.....

Was I wrong!!

My first doctor's visit was at 6 weeks.
I walked in, they checked my weight...had me POS and confirmed my pregnancy. Ok, that wasn't what I expected. What about the heartbeat? What about the visual? I already knew that the stick would change color and give a positive! Duh!
The nurse then lead me to the gyno's examining room, where my doc did a regular Pap Smear - and I totally hate those. After she had completed, she said my hubby and I can meet her in her office. She gave me a bunch of paperwork, regarding the doctor's fees, the different types of tests which can be performed and when, etc. She asked if we had any questions (umm, you think?!), congratulated us, and sent us on our way.

I definitely felt kind of frustrated. I was expecting so much more! So, at this point, all I had were very light cramps. No other symptom. Oh, and a positive pregnancy test. I didn't "feel" pregnant. I wanted proof that there was something was growing in there. Tough luck! I'll have to wait til my 2nd appointment (which is usually at 11 or 12 weeks). Even then, my doc will use the Doppler instrument and let us listen to the baby's heartbeat. No visual! I believe when I get some of the tests that I've opted for, performed, that is when I'll get the first ultrasound, after which the next ultrasound will probably be at 5 months. After some researching, I found out, that in normal pregnancies - that is the total amount of visuals you get from the doc! Boo!

Anyway, at this point I do "feel" pregnant with my occasional nausea, feeling of chubbiness around my tummy, and cheese cravings. But, if you don't have a high risk pregnancy, you can rest assured that you're doc isn't going to do anything but perform a normal POS pregnancy test. ;)

I'm really looking forward to 6/4 - when I get to hear the heartbeat and when I get to tell all my family and friends officially :)

Ciao for now!
-M