Well, I had my first appointment the other day.. Didn't even get an ultrasound.. (Mad about it) but I had to get blood…

@mommagotbump16, Agreed! Could be the new way insurance is set up too. Who knows. Hopefully the OP got some good info to help her though. :-)

@rgaine, I could see them doing that, which is still silly that insurance makes everyone jump through hoops like that. 😜 I had been going to the same OB/GYN for years before my first pregnancy, so I didn't need a referral being an established patient already. Hopefully there's no more hoops to jump through for ya now!

@brinleysmommy, no, it doesn't necessarily. There are a few conditions that can cause elevated hCg levels, including pregnancy. These would show up as positive tests, but that doesn't tell you the pregnancy is viable. OBs can basically assume based on signs and symptoms plus the tests, but none of that actually tells you there is a baby in the uterus.

Ok. I was 8 weeks 4 days so maybe the papers they gave me at my primary doctor were wrong to say they confirmed it and were referring me. They never mentioned it was viable at that point but sent me to the OB to check. It's my first so I just went with what they said. First U/s was before 9 weeks so they moved fast but did "confirm" to insurance based on the blood test only so that u/s was preauthorized and covered. Must be a situation of semantics with them. @mommagotbump16

@rgaine, if you get those tests repeated to check for numbers doubling, yes they can assume you are. But any hCg test alone doesn't confirm a viable pregnancy-hormones can be elevated from a few conditions besides pregnancy. US would verify that it is an intrauterine pregnancy, and many OBs will wait until a heartbeat can be detected as well. (My OB will wait til at least 8 wks for a first appt if you're not high risk.)

uh no it confirms pregnancy lol. @mommagotbump16

I found this on my doctor's website: Two types of blood pregnancy tests are available: A qualitative blood test simply checks to see if hCG is present. It gives a “yes” or “no” answer. Doctors often order these tests to confirm pregnancy as early as 10 days after a missed period.

@mommagotbump16, I'm guessing if the hormones are in the right range it must confirm it somehow or my paperwork would not have come back showing the ranges and said "pregnant" in big letters. It was only then did they schedule an initial exam at my primary doctor and refer me out to an OB to check on how the pregnancy was going. OB then gave me the ultrasound to check the due date, not heartbeat since it was so early and I'm high risk. Must just be that every doc is different and hormone levels doubling coupled with a missed period and pregnancy symptoms was enough info for them to confirm and refer out - at least in my case.

And usually they want you at least 6 wks plus so they can actually see something on the ultrasound.

@brinleysmommy, @rgaine I've heard of doctors doing that, but that doesn't confirm pregnancy-only elevated hormones. Only reason I could see waiting would be it's too early to detect the heartbeat.

@lashellg I agree that's silly to put an age on it.

They told me I wasn't due for one but did mine anyway. I'm saying about the waiting until she's 21 is absurd. Bc she still has to be checked for BV and other diseases and infections that may harm the baby or cause other issues.

@mommagotbump16, - I was confirmed by blood test then at 2nd Ob visit by ultrasound

@lashellg, - yes, if you're due for a pap. I had one the first visit too. mm ommy_courtney19 - your first ultrasound can be at your first or second visit. Not unusual to not get one at first. I'm 37 and high risk and mine had to be scheduled with the sonographer so it was after the initial appointment.

And they are supposed to do a pap smear your first visit. Sounds like you need a better dr office

I had an ultrasound, pap smear, and blood drawn on my first visit.

it also lets you know your cervix is okay

no you have to get one since your pregnant, they have to check you for HIV,CHLAMYDIA, Gonorrhea, and the other STDS@mommy_courtney19 I'm the same age as you and had one every pregnant woman has it done

They said I had to be 21 to get a papsmear.. My mom was in shock. Idk. Everything is new to me! 😂

@mommy_courtney19, probably a papsmear don't worry your fine you'll get to see your little nugget soon!

and you confirm pregnancy through urine and blood @mommagotbump16

They made me pee in a cup.. So I guess they did a pregnancy test? Idk. I thought they always did an ultrasound the first appointment.. That's what all my friends have had done. But they checked my cervix and did something else, so I guess that's how they tell? Idk? It was weird.. But thank you!! @mommagotbump16

I'm high risk ive had 5 ultrasounds since 5 weeks@mommagotbump16

@brinleysmommy, if they don't do an ultrasound, how do they confirm pregnancies for y'all?

@mommy_courtney19 good luck girl!

I'm high risk so I've got 2 with this doctor 3 Friday but before I switched 1 with old

Yeah some don't get it till 17-25 weeks and only get that one

that's normal not to get an ultrasound at the first visit most doctors wait unless your high risk @mommy_courtney19