Pre-pregnancy Exam

When we decided to have children, I went to my doctor and she referred me to an obgyn so that we could meet and discuss what my care would involve. The first visit was very informational, which certainly helped me not be anxious about becoming pregnant, and gave me a chance to ask questions about prenatal care. The second visit was a complete examination - fully undressed, weighed, and evaluated from heart, lungs, breasts, abdomen, and then pap, internal, recto/vag and rectal examination along with urine and blood tests. I was also vaccinated for German Measles. I wouldn't say that it was more than a good exam should have been but I certainly felt very probed.

I'd feel disappointed if I left obgyn and didn't feel "very probed" 😃 how long ago was this?

Julie13: what did the on-going exams during your pregnancy involve? My understanding is that they're typically BP, weight, fundal (sp) height. Anything else?

Usually breast and nipple checks are done on each visit

Follow up exams meant being weighed, bp, temp, heart and lungs and internals and sometimes recto/vag.

How often did you go for follow up exams?

My wife had a PrePregnancy Exam that i attended, and i think the care was better then than now at 27 weeks. They don't listen to her heart or check her breasts. They just measure her and say see you later. What do you guys think? Is this normal

Back in the year 2000 when I had my first child I done a home pregnancy test , then called my GP to ask what I did next . I was asked how far gone I thought I was . From my calculations I was around 9 weeks . I was then given a date for 12 weeks which they called a ' Booking In ' appointment . To go see the midwife that was based at my GP surgery.

At that appointment I seen a midwife who carried out a height , weight and blood pressure check . I was also asked to give a urine sample . Then I was asked to lay on the exam bed . She measured my tummy , felt all over with her hands and then listened with a Doppler to try and hear the babies heartbeat . She also carried out an internal exam and PAP smear.

An appointment was then made at the hospital for the following week for a scan . I was also given the paperwork to go get a set of bloods done . I was then told to make an appointment for 16 weeks with the midwife . Just basic checks were done at the 16 week visit . Weight , blood pressure , urine dip , Doppler and tummy measurement .

At 20 weeks everyone got a detailed scan , carried out by a senior radiographer and Consultant . This scan checked for any growth , brain , heart or other serious abnormalities.

I was supposed to be seen every 4 weeks until 28 weeks , then it would go to fortnightly. I never got that far though due to complications . I was admitted to hospital at 21 weeks and spent long periods in hospital on bed rest . When I was allowed home I had to go back daily .

These daily visits were more interesting . I'd see my consultant or the registrar everyday . Each visit I was weighed , blood pressure was taken, tummy was felt and measured . I was given an ultrasound scan on alternate days and a speculum exam the opposite days . My daughter was small for dates and had no amniotic fluid around her , but my waters hadn't broke either .

These visits and stays continued until at 35 weeks she was distressed . Labour was induced and I gave birth naturally .

In 2002 I became pregnant again with identical twins. The care at the beginning was the same apart from no internal examination or PAP smear was done . By this point rules had changed and they were deemed as not necessary unless there was a reason I needed them .

Once I got to 12 weeks ultrasound scans were fortnightly to check the growth etc. Other than that there were no extra midwife visits or examinations . They were every 4 weeks as before .

At 20 weeks a detailed scan was carried out . Which confirmed they were identical girls .

At 26 weeks I was to go to the hospital for weekly ultrasound scans and to see the consultant to check all was ok . This visit consisted of weight, blood pressure , urine dip and routine blood tests as needed .

I only got one of these exams as I went into premature labour two days after the exam . My girls were born at 26 weeks and 2 days after an emergency caesarean. Sadly Jessica died 30 minutes after delivery . She was the bigger twin but was too poorly to survive .

I understand now that things have changed a lot since then . The ' Booking In' appointment is done then appointments with a midwife are much further apart. Scans are done at 12 , 20 and 34 weeks unless there are reasons for more frequent ones .

I presume women that need consultant care at the hospital are seen and examined more frequently .

Nikki

Nikki that was really informative. It is a lot like what I had friends tell me happened with them.

I do not want to ever be pregnant and have to find out what it is like for myself though.

My wife in the UK 1998 had her booking appointmet, it was similar ti the way Nik described but no internal or PAP. I thought PAP was only done if you were not up to date in the UK (within klast 3 years). Supprisingly no internal exam before or after preganancy, except during labour, i am not sure this should have happend as i thought ther would be some kind of check after the birth.

Its strange that your wife did not have a 6 week post - natal check as most GP surgeries do schedule it. While there is no formal examination criteria you GP may include the following as part of the 6 week post-natal exam :

- blood loss

- healing after a tear

- your caesarean wound

- your breasts (such as soreness or mastitis)

Your doctor may follow up any screening or blood tests you are due, such as:

- A blood test to check your iron levels, if you've been anaemic.

- Advising you about booking a cervical smear, if you're due one, for about three months after the birth.

During my training ( early 1990's) I was present at a few post natal exams so I know that they were performed.

RN

There should have been a 6 week and potentially 3 month post-natal exam.

I have a history of hypertension since age 19. My first pregnancy was just prior to my 21st birthday. My pressure remained relatively stable through the first 2 trimesters then l developed severe pregnancy induced hypertension in my 8th month. My daughter was delivered 3 weeks early due to my blood pressure reaching 210/150. I was hospitalized and given intravenous bp medication. I developed the same condition during my 2nd pregnancy.

@Sphygmogirl90 Preeclampsia is not an uncommon complication of pregnancy with women who have a history of hypertension.

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, most often the liver and kidneys. Preeclampsia usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women whose blood pressure had been normal.

Monitoring blood pressure is an important part of prenatal care because the first sign of preeclampsia is commonly a rise in blood pressure. Blood pressure that exceeds 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or greater — documented on two occasions, at least four hours apart — is abnormal.

Other signs and symptoms of preeclampsia may include:

Excess protein in your urine (proteinuria) or additional signs of kidney problems

Severe headaches

Changes in vision, including temporary loss of vision, blurred vision or light sensitivity

Upper abdominal pain, usually under your ribs on the right side

Nausea or vomiting

Decreased urine output

Decreased levels of platelets in your blood (thrombocytopenia)

Impaired liver function

Shortness of breath, caused by fluid in your lungs

The more severe your preeclampsia and the earlier it occurs in your pregnancy, the greater the risks for you and your baby. Preeclampsia may require induced labor and delivery.

Delivery by cesarean delivery (C-section) may be necessary if there are clinical or obstetric conditions that require a speedy delivery. Otherwise, your doctor may recommend a scheduled vaginal delivery. Your obstetric provider will talk with you about what type of delivery is right for your condition.

RN