What should I expect at my first ob-gyn appointment & when do they do your first ultrasound

You can see your GP or NP until about 30 weeks if you are a low risk pregnancy, then transfer to an OBGyn. The first appointment should be a complete history and physical, including family histories. It's usually done between 10 and 20 weeks gestation. Routine ultrasound is usually done between 18 and 20 weeks.

Your first appointment they will confirm the pregnancy, they'll do a test unless you've already had one done at that clinic. They will also do a complete physical exam - weight, blood pressure, urine test (which will be done at every appointment), an internal pelvic exam, there's some paper work the dr or nurse will go over with you.  
 
For the 'average' pregnancy you'll go in every four weeks until about 30 weeks, then every two weeks until 36 weeks or so and then every week until delivery. Note that those are for the average pregnancy, your dr may have you come more or less often depending on your individual pregnancy.  
 
Also if you aren't high risk you can see your gp or family dr or a midwife for the entire pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care.  
 
Generally you only have one ultrasound done here in Brandon, usually between 18 - 22 weeks. They are done at the hospital and you can bring one person with you, and they will not tell you the baby's gender. Your dr can request that info, but the u/s techs won't tell you.  
 
Good luck, and enjoy!

18-22 weeks? I don't like the sound of that. How do you know if anything is wrong during your pregnancy? Or if you had a missed miscarriage.. Maybe I'm paranoid, but I don't like the thought of having to wait a few more months to know if my baby is okay. Thanks for your responses tho!

They use a Doppler during your appointments as well to listen to the heartbeat. Usually you can't hear anything until around 12 weeks, sometimes earlier, sometimes later. That depends on the baby's position, and if you have any chub on your tummy.  
 
Hope you're feeling well. How many weeks are you and when are you due?

A girl from melita is getting an ultrasound and she's only 7 weeks right now ...... Thought people would at least get 2 or 3 ultrasounds

About 7 weeks, or so. Not sure because I got pregnant on the pill & my lmp was end of may. I guess I just need some reassurance, maybe I'll go to first look in a few weeks just for my own peace of mind.

cherrydp said "18-22 weeks? I don't like the sound of that. How do you know if anything is wrong during your pregnancy? Or if you had a missed miscarriage.. Maybe I'm paranoid, but I don't like the thought of having to wait a few more months to know if my baby is okay. Thanks for your responses tho! "

First of all congrats to you! There are many signs of having a miscarriage, so unless you see any signs of having a miscarriage then you will get to go for a early ultrasound to see if everything is ok. But if you dont then you have a long wait till 20 weeks for the ultrasound! But dont worry your Dr will make sure your HCG levels are going up like they are suppose to through out the first your pregnancy. Thats how they know baby is growing! I was really lucky my dr found the heart beat of my son with the doppler when i was 10 weeks prego with him...and thats really early...so like someone else said usually not till 12 weeks or more before you can hear the heart beat with the doppler. So dont be upset if you dont hear one until then.  
 
Edited by Sam87, 2012-07-23 00:19:16

Usually the only reason you get an ultrasound very early is if you're unsure of the date of your last menstrual period, and when it started.

When pregnant, you usually do not have an early ultrasound. The fetus is too small to actually see as it is sound waves used in an ultrasound. If you do have an early ultrasound, it is usually due to concern for the child, perhaps if it may be a tubal pregnancy, or there is high risk as an example.  
 
As Dodge Girl stated, your first ultrasound is around the 18th - 20th week. This is when they are able to see the fetus and able to show you what looks like a developing child. This will give both yourself and your doctor a closer look at your due date. Most people have only one ultrasound and the rest is just a heartbeat check by a fetal doppler. In some cases, a mother may have another ultrasound in the third trimester.  
In most cases, if all is well the one ultrasound is all that is needed, but in some cases two are used.  
 
As for First Look, you are able to go early on in your pregnancy, but due to the development you will not see as much. Although clearer than a regular ultrasound. Best time to see them is around 30 - 32 weeks I believe, when the body has its organs and the child's face is filling out. Don't wait too long in setting an appointment either as babies become all arms and legs later in the third trimester and it is harder to see the child.  
 
Enjoy your pregnancy! Work with your family doctor and speak with them on this matter. They can reassure you and sometimes they will order an early ultrasound to lessen the stress on the expectant mother if the mother is concerned. Your doctor usually sends the transfer over to the obstetrician in the second trimester.  
 
Congratulations !!!

You don't want to be having a bunch of ultrasounds for fun.  
 
http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/ultrasoundrodgers.asp  
 
Brandon does 1, because 1 is generally all that is "needed". Just think your Grandparents had zero. Your parents could have also had zero.  
 

i understand your concern about not knowing if your baby is ok! I was 11 and a half weeks along when i went to St.B hospital Emerg in Wpg so that i could get an ultrasound because i knew something wasn't right.(my doc had sent and urgent request for one to be done, but after 2 weeks with no word of an appt, i went to st b.) Unfortunately my little bean had stopped growing at 6weeks and 3 days, and had no heartbeat(missed miscarriage). My suspicions had been confirmed. Terrible thing to go through. However, to help put your mind at rest, the doctor should be doing blood tests every time you see them, to check for your BHCG levels. they should be doubleing every day. If they start to lower, then that can sometimes mean a problem and the doc will do some investigating. Unfortunately for me, my doctor didn't catch that my hcg levels were low, and i ended up going till 11 weeks thinking bean was growing, but was not. You can also take a drive to winnipeg adn set up an appt at Baby moon. they will do ultrasounds there too(for a fee) but i don't believe they will do them before 18 weeks either. they do have a website. Get your hcg levels tested, stay in tune with your body, listen to what it is telling you. I hope everything goes well with your pregnancy! and congratulations!

A pregnancy is always an exciting time, although it can be riddle with anxieties.  
 
Ultrasounds are not without risk, so they won't do more than necessary. Even if something went drastically wrong in the first trimester, there's not much anyone can do. It's just the way it goes sometimes.  
 
Rest assured, OB's and midwives are skilled at determining if babe is growing well, if you're doing well, and if everything is alright. If you have any concerns, tell your care provider.  
 
You can see an OB pretty much at any time. I have seen them as early as 14 weeks because my doctor didn't "do" pregnancies.  
 
You also might want to try giving midwifery a call, although they are likely full, they are a great care provider too. I've had my first appointment with them as early as 8 weeks.  
 

I'm currently 13 weeks with my second. With my daughter I had one ultrasound at 22 weeks and the doc ended up giving me one more around 38 weeks just up on the maternity ward as my daughter was breech and didn't flip around until very late in my pregnancy. This time around I was sent for an emergency ultrasound at 10 weeks which in the end really wasn't necessary. My NP was a little confused and told me I was miscarrying when everything was alright. After that I asked for a referral to an obgyn. There are so many ways the docs can tell of everything is alright I really wouldn't worry. Blood work, once you start showing they will measure your tummy to see how big your uterus is getting, so don't worry! Having had a miscarriage before my daughter I can tell you that if something is wrong you will know.

I had an ultrasound at 20 weeks and my dr. requested another ultrasound in my third trimester, though I ended up going into labor early and never got around to getting the second ultrasound.  
I know a couple people that had multiple ultrasounds but they had previous complications, so went more frequently.  
If your doctor thinks your having an healthy pregnancy than he won't schedule one before 18-20 weeks.  
 
It is very nerve wracking waiting to make sure everything is ok. I calmed down abit after I heard the heartbeat but was much calmer after the ultrasound. Just have to be patient!

A girl I know had an ultrasound at 11 week. No idea why ...  
 
I guess brandon is different

too on how "busy" the dept at the hospital is - I didn't get my first until 29 weeks as they were short staffed and overbooked. (This was before 1st look opened or I'd have just paid for one) Most Doctors will send a request at the first apt. so you should have an apt by the 20th week hopefully if there's no staffing crisis.  
 
Many other places in Manitoba have different guidelines if you live in a smaller center with less of a demand on their resources they usually do one at then end of the 1st trimester and one near the end of the second.  
 
CONGRATS, good luck, and try not to stress too much. Regardless of ultrasound there are many tests/exams that are done to ensure everything is going smoothly. Should there be any concerns they will send you for an emergency ultrasound-no waiting.

0201 said "i understand your concern about not knowing if your baby is ok! I was 11 and a half weeks along when i went to St.B hospital Emerg in Wpg so that i could get an ultrasound because i knew something wasn't right.(my doc had sent and urgent request for one to be done, but after 2 weeks with no word of an appt, i went to st b.) Unfortunately my little bean had stopped growing at 6weeks and 3 days, and had no heartbeat(missed miscarriage). My suspicions had been confirmed. Terrible thing to go through. However, to help put your mind at rest, the doctor should be doing blood tests every time you see them, to check for your BHCG levels. they should be doubleing every day. If they start to lower, then that can sometimes mean a problem and the doc will do some investigating. Unfortunately for me, my doctor didn't catch that my hcg levels were low, and i ended up going till 11 weeks thinking bean was growing, but was not. You can also take a drive to winnipeg adn set up an appt at Baby moon. they will do ultrasounds there too(for a fee) but i don't believe they will do them before 18 weeks either. they do have a website. Get your hcg levels tested, stay in tune with your body, listen to what it is telling you. I hope everything goes well with your pregnancy! and congratulations! "

You don't need to take a drive to winnipeg (baby moon) because we have first look in brandon now. First look does ultrasounds and sex of your baby for a fee.

The_What? said "You don't want to be having a bunch of ultrasounds for fun.     http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/ultrasoundrodgers.asp     Brandon does 1, because 1 is generally all that is "needed". Just think your Grandparents had zero. Your parents could have also had zero.     "

Thanks for your post The_What?  
 
My friend, a grandmother for the first time, mentioned hearing loss can be attributed to multiple ultra sounds.  
 
http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-an-Ultrasound.aspx