How Soon Should I See A Doctor When Pregnant?

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pregnant woman and gynecologist

How Soon Should I See A Doctor When Pregnant?

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As soon as you see the positive results of an at-home pregnancy test you’re going to feel a whirlwind of emotions. Some of those will be happy, and some might involve feeling nervous.

You’re also bound to have an indefinite list of questions. One of the most common questions that mothers wonder about is when to see the doctor.

You should schedule your first appointment as soon as you can. There are quite a few reasons behind this. 

Schedule Your First Pregnancy Appointment After You See The BFP

Once you see a big fat positive test result, go ahead and find an obstetrician. Some say to wait until you’re further along, but this isn’t always a great idea. In fact, going sooner can turn out better for both your baby and you for a number of reasons. 

Doctors Can Check For Nutritional Deficiencies

If you previously had low iron, or have ever had low iron, your doctor can check your iron levels. They can also check for other nutritional deficiencies that can have an impact on both you and your baby.

The first months of pregnancy are critical, so you want to make sure that you’re healthy. If you’re not, it’s best to correct it sooner instead of later. 

Insurance Probably Covers Prenatal Vitamins

It’s important to start taking prenatal vitamins as soon as you find out that you are pregnant.

If your insurance covers prenatal vitamins, which most companies do, you can save quite a bit of money. At your first appointment, your doctor can write you a prescription for them. 

If It’s Been Awhile Since Your Last Gyno Visit, You Need One

It’s recommended that females take a trip to the gynecologist yearly for a pap smear and STD testing if they are sexually active. Even if you aren’t sexually active, a pap smear is still an important part of health.

However, when you don’t have medical insurance and aren’t located in a city that has a free clinic that doesn’t always happen.

If you had to put them off, simply didn’t care, or weren’t able to get to the appointment, it’s time to have one now. When you aren’t healthy, it can affect your pregnancy and your baby. 

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You Won’t Get In For An Appointment Immediately

I’m not sure why, but obstetricians in my area are always backed up. Sometimes for weeks. So, even if you call to schedule an appointment the day after you get a positive pregnancy test, it might still take weeks before you’re seen.

That means you might not see your obstetrician until you’re almost two months pregnant. If you wait to call, you’re still going to have to wait weeks before getting in. This is why it’s better to call sooner instead of later. 

It Might Take Some Time To Find A Provider

If you have something particular in mind, such as water birth, it can take some time to find a provider.

For example, we had to switch my daughter’s obstetrician halfway through her pregnancy because she decided on water birth, and we had no idea that hers did not deliver that way.

If you already know that you have a water birth in mind, you’ll need to take some extra time to find an obstetrician or mid-wife that will help you deliver.

This isn’t as easy as simply calling to schedule an appointment. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll find a provider. 

You’ll Have Someone To Call If You Have Questions

When you find out you’re pregnant, you’re going to be full of questions. You’ll wonder if the stomach cramps are normal. If you’re spotting you might feel concerned.

When you already have an appointment scheduled, you can give your doctor a call any time with questions, even if you haven’t been to your first appointment yet.

Having a nurse just a phone call away to address your concerns can help ease any anxiety you might have. 

Doctor’s Can Prescribe Medicine Even If You Haven’t Been To Your First Appointment Yet

If you have yet to go to your first appointment because it’s scheduled six weeks out, that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck if you need medical care. Doctors can still prescribe medicine.

If you have concerns, they might move your appointment up to make sure that you’re okay, and then prescribe medication as needed.

For example, if your morning sickness is so severe that you haven’t eaten in days, your doctor can call in something for that. View in gallery

What To Do When Your Doctor Can’t Schedule You In For Weeks

If you called, made the appointment, and found out that you are not going to be seeing a doctor for weeks, there are still some things that you’ll need to do. This can help you make sure that both you and your baby are healthy. 

Start Making A List Of Questions

If you have questions that are not concerning yet you’d still like an answer regarding your pregnancy, start making a list. At your first doctor’s appointment, take the list with you. Writing them down will help you make sure that you don’t forget them. 

Pick Up Some Prenatal Vitamins

Prenatal vitamins are important for both your health and your baby’s health. If your doctor did not call in a prescription, pick some up or order some online.

We ultimately ordered my daughter’s from Amazon because she liked the gummy version. (If you have a hard time swallowing pills, this is a great idea.)

Then, we took them with us to the doctor’s appointment to make sure that they were acceptable. (Doctors know best!)

Download A Pregnancy App

If you haven’t looked them up yet, now is the time too! Pregnancy apps can tell you what is developing in your baby, common pregnancy symptoms, your due date, and more!

This is a great way to start bonding with your little one already. You’ll love seeing images of what a baby looks like in the womb as your pregnancy progresses. 

In Conclusion

Doctors don’t do a whole of anything aside from a few tests and confirm your pregnancy if you go before you’re 8-12 weeks. However, it’s still a good idea to schedule your first appointment asap. It’s always better to be safe instead of sorry.