Is it normal to not see an OB until 12 weeks? Well, let me tell you about my experience. When I found out I was pregnant, I immediately called my doctor to schedule an appointment. But to my surprise, they told me that they don’t typically see patients until around 12 weeks.
At first, I was a little taken aback. I mean, shouldn’t I be seeing a doctor as soon as possible to make sure everything is okay? But as I did some research and talked to other moms, I realized that this is actually quite common.
You see, in the early weeks of pregnancy, there isn’t much to see or hear. The baby is still just a tiny embryo, barely visible to the naked eye. And the uterus is still way down in the pelvis, so it’s hard to feel anything from the outside.
That’s why doctors and midwives often wait until around 12 weeks to see their patients for the first time. By that point, the baby has grown significantly and is more easily visible on an ultrasound. The uterus has also started to rise out of the pelvis, making it easier to feel during a physical exam.
But what about hearing the heartbeat? Well, that’s another thing that often can’t be done until around 12 weeks. The heartbeat is usually too faint to be heard with a doppler before then. So even if you do see your doctor earlier, they may not be able to pick up the heartbeat just yet.
Now, I know this might be a bit frustrating for some moms-to-be. We all want reassurance that everything is going well with our pregnancies. But the truth is, there isn’t much that can be done in those early weeks. It’s mostly a waiting game.
Of course, if you have any concerns or complications, it’s always best to reach out to your doctor or midwife right away. They can assess your situation and determine if an earlier appointment is necessary.
But for most women with normal, healthy pregnancies, waiting until around 12 weeks to see an OB is perfectly normal. It’s just the way things are done in the medical field.
So, if you’re in the early weeks of pregnancy and haven’t seen a doctor yet, don’t worry. It’s all part of the process. Just hang in there and know that soon enough, you’ll be able to see and hear your little one on the ultrasound.