When to have the 1st check up?

C

claresaunders

Registered User
Hi Ladies, i am wondering when is the best time to have the 1st check up with doctor? I've heard 6-8 weeks not too early...
What to expect in the first check up?
I have never done pap smear test before and is the check up going to go inside you and will it hurt the baby?
 
claresaunders said:
Hi Ladies, i am wondering when is the best time to have the 1st check up with doctor? I've heard 6-8 weeks not too early...
What to expect in the first check up?
I have never done pap smear test before and is the check up going to go inside you and will it hurt the baby?
Click to expand...

I went at 6 weeks or earlier for my first (I was very excited) and seven for my second. For the first, I had to have a vaginal ultrasound where a probe is inserted since a pelvic ultrasound wouldn't pick it up. Think I had a pelvic for my second. There is no danger to the baby with the vaginal ultrasound, just some discomfort for you when its inserted. The baby just looks like a blotch but they can confirm a heartbeat and you can listen to it which is pretty sweet.

You can discuss any health concerns you have with your doc and also the all-important-in-HK where to deliver. The main reason people go earlier for this check in HK is so the doc can put their name down for a hospital if they want to deliver at the in-demand ones.

I found registering for updates from babycenter.com to get a sense of what to expect at each stage useful.
 
Thanks a lot Charade. I am quite excited too but i was told not to go too early as there might be a chance they will hurt the baby. But i am 8 weeks now and my first one is due next week so i can't wait.
Can you choose if you prefer pelvic ultrasound or viginal ultrasound or they will do both for me as i am doing it for the first time?
do you hear heartbeat at week 8?
 
heartbeat cannot usually be 'heard' until around week 11-12.

they may try a regular ultrasound first, then if nothing appears, a vaginal ultrasound (same as a pelvic ultrasound).
 
claresaunders said:
but i was told not to go too early as there might be a chance they will hurt the baby. But i am 8 weeks now and my first one is due next week so i can't wait.
Can you choose if you prefer pelvic ultrasound or viginal ultrasound or they will do both for me as i am doing it for the first time?
Click to expand...

Who told you not to go too early as "they", presumably meaning the qualified physician, ,might hurt the baby? In HK I have heard so many silly pregnancy rumors like this. Having an early exam doesn't harm the baby and if there was a significant risk doctors would not perform them. 8 weeks is actually fairly late by HK standards if you intend to deliver in a private hospital as your OB will need to start the booking process for you.
 
i would also strongly suggest you get a couple of good pregnancy books, so you don't listen to "them" any longer and actually arm yourself with some real knowledge.

good luck!
 
carang said:
heartbeat cannot usually be 'heard' until around week 11-12.

they may try a regular ultrasound first, then if nothing appears, a vaginal ultrasound (same as a pelvic ultrasound).
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure I heard the heart beat at 8 weeks. Again, it was a vaginal ultrasound where they insert the probe.

@Clare
You can of course choose to have or not have any procedure, depending on what you are comfortable with. They suggest inserting the probe if they can't pick up an image by using the machine on your tummy from the outside. However, for my first since I went pretty early, the doc just suggested the probe right away. Again, they would not do it if it would harm the baby.
 
Thanks a lot guys. As a matter of fact, i wasn't able to find any english pregency books in HK. Any suggestions? I went to the book store they only had chinese books. When i said i 've heard not to go early, it is according to the chinese books i saw in the store...i am very confused...I have my appointment booked next week so i hope it's not too late.
 
really? there are lots of english bookshops around!

Page One
Bookazine
Metrobooks
Crown Books (although these are almost all kids books)
Commercial Press
Popular Books
 
Checked at 6 weeks today

Just check in sanatorium , with the varginal scan, but can see the baby, as a very small blob. The process was fine for me, it didnt hurt. But can not deterimine it's got a heart heart or not. I was asked to go back in two weeks time. Although my cycle is 35, is it strange not to get a heart beat at 6.5 weeks, scared that it may not be growing.. But the doctor Winnie LAU seems to explain in details when I asked her questions.
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claresaunders said:
Thanks a lot guys. As a matter of fact, i wasn't able to find any english pregency books in HK. Any suggestions? I went to the book store they only had chinese books. When i said i 've heard not to go early, it is according to the chinese books i saw in the store...i am very confused...I have my appointment booked next week so i hope it's not too late.
Click to expand...

The 'What to Expect When You're Expecting' book is pretty comprehensive and widely read. I've seen it in HK:

http://www.amazon.com/What-Expect-Youre-Expecting-Edition/dp/0761148574

There are also a number of good web sites that have valuable and trustworthy information:

http://www.webmd.com/baby/default.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pregnancy-week-by-week/MY00331

http://www.babycenter.com/

http://www.whattoexpect.com/what-to-expect/landing-page.aspx

There are also many others. Also, write down any questions you have between doctor visits for your OB and bring the list with you to each appointment so you remember to ask.
 
I didn't see a heartbeat until 7 weeks I think and that was with an abdominal scan. I also used the mayoclinic book on pregnancy and found it useful in addition to what to expect when you're expecting. Try also Dymocks for English books.
 
It also depends on the u/s machine. My twins were "discovered" at 6w4d and both had a heart beat at that point which was picked up by the machine (117 and 131 bpm).
 
I went to the doctor when i was 5 weeks..it was a vgnl U/S. dint hear any heartbeat so was asked to come again in 2 weeks..
will be going there on monday to listen to my baby's heartbeat for the first time:) so excited:)

U can read what to expect when you are expecting-the pregnancy guide book and widely read.. I got that from Dymocks..
All the best
 
sorry when i was referring to "hearing" the heartbeat, i was thinking of the doppler machine, not an ultrasound
 
Sounds like between Week 6 to Week 8, you can hear the heartbeat...so defintely by Week 9 then...i am really looking forward to it now as my appointment is next saturday...
 
claresaunders said:
Thanks a lot guys. As a matter of fact, i wasn't able to find any english pregency books in HK. Any suggestions? I went to the book store they only had chinese books. When i said i 've heard not to go early, it is according to the chinese books i saw in the store...i am very confused...I have my appointment booked next week so i hope it's not too late.
Click to expand...

@Clare
I just bought two days ago 3 English pregnancy book on ShopinHK, they have lots of options and quite inexpensive ;)
 
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