Obstetrician appt at 20 wks - what should I expect?

[BPrincess]

Hi there

I've got an obst appt on Tuesday at 21 weeks. I think I was given it cos I'm ancient (41). First pregnancy so I'm in the dark as to what to expect. Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

Bump

I am guessing it will be to discuss the outcome of your anomaly scan? Didnt you have one after your 12 wk scan? It might depend on the area but I had one after the 12 wk scan to discuss the results. In fact there was nothing to discuss so it was a very rapid visit, just something that everyone has apparently.
oh and if you are ancient, I'm a fossil...I'm 43!...and none of my apts have even referred to my age!

Thanks Jasmine

I had midwife appt after my 12 week scan, and the obst appt is in fact before my anomaly scan, so can't be that. I have a feeling it may be just because I'm a bit older and a bit on the cuddly side that they thought they'd book me in to meet the obstetrician, too.

I was surprised, too, that nobody really seems to be bothered about my age. I had visions of GPs and midwives throwing their arms up in terror, almost felt ashamed at my first appointments, and afraid of what they might say! Crazy, I know.

Is this your first? How many weeks are you? And good luck with everything, I'm sure we'll be fine.

Hmm, can you ask your MW what the apt is for?
Its hard for me to guess because I dont really fit into the typical pg moud. Its nothing to do with my age, just being monitored closely cos of a blood issue...so one obs apt merges into another after a time.

Its surprised me too that noone has referred to my age and in fact as I meet more ladies I realise I'm not actually that unusual. The only time it has been mentioned really has been at the nuchal scan when my risk figure was high...because thats what the chart said. In the event my blood test put the risk right down again but thats the only time I've felt a bit ancient

I'm 19 wks, its my first, I had 4 mcs and this whole pg thing is a very weird ride. How about you?

Big congrats at 19 wks - must feel really good for you, sorry you've had a tough ride of it up until now.

I agree, the nuchal was rather scary and I went in with a 1 in 60 probability of Downs I think, but once they'd taken the measurements and bloods it came down to 1 in 970, which I'm happy with. Have you had your 20-wk scan yet? I'm pretty nervous about that too, will be glad when it's over, think I will feel a bit more able to relax.

Other than that it's been fine really, just a bit of nausea in 1st trimester and of course plenty of tiredness but I'm being looked after well!

How have you found things so far?

Sounds like things are going lovely and smoothly for you...so your age really has no part to play! Its hard to say whether we have it tougher being older - I had continuous nausea for 3 mths which I found debilitating, but no worse than other much younger ladies. I've certainly been tired but then who isnt. The only thing that bugs me is that I seem to be a bit 'rounder' than the younger ones in my exercise classes so maybe having more years in the biscuit tin hasnt done me any favours!

My ride has not really been rough by many peoples standards. I think of the mcs as blips at the beginning and a prompt to sort out a long standing (but previously unfound) condition that actually could have proved serious later in life...so.... I guess it put a bit more pressure on to get things investigated and sorted quickly which meant we had to go private but no big deal.

I do have alot of sadness for some friends and relatives my age who are not having such a smooth ride and are embarking on IVF or have no answers to the reasons for their mcs. It makes me cry every time I hear about another failure for them.

My Downs probability at the start was 1 in 49 but changed to 1 in 782 or something similar afterwards. The lady who did the scan (private) was lovely and checked all the soft markers too so I was pretty delighted with my results.

You meeting other mums in your area yet?

Wow, you sound like such a positive person - I'm sure the right attitude contributes so much to so many things. Glad you sorted everyting out eventually.

I have to say my pregnancy was a total surprise and accident. We had thought we didn't want children, but all of a sudden, out of the blue, fate decided otherwise. It was a huge shock to begin with, especially for my partner, but we're both really excited now and I'm glad it's turned out this way. So now that it's happened it's opened my eyes to the difficulties so many other couples have conceiving etc. Must be so terrible.

We start an NCT class in early March, so that'll be the time for meeting mums around here. What about you?

And when is your 20-week scan?

Ah well, dont start me on the 20 week scan fiasco! In my area I couldnt get an appointment 'due to demand'. My MW kicked up a fuss, my Obs kicked up a fuss and I eventually got my date..I will be 24 weeks! I havent done anything more about this yet as I have a MW apt on Thursday so will bring it up then. I could feasibly go private but why should I have to? The cost of the private scan is basically my buggy fund so I'll just have to see what the MW says - maybe slot into a cancellation apt? - rant over!

Ive just started aquanatal class which is fun for meeting other mums but have met more in my yoga class where the mums seem to be older and also at an earlier stage of pg, so possibly we have more in common. I am due to start the NCT class in April

Your pg surprse sounds lovely and fateful and obviously supported by your partner. Are you out shopping yet? My DH works abroad so is a little distant from the pg but when he's home on leave I've got my 'list' to work through in the shops!

Sad day today, its close to what would have been the EDD for my cousin who had a mc last year. I know shes very down about it and having a 'round' relative getting alot of family attention isnt going to help her at this time. For every joy theres a sad story...

It's so tricky being pregnant around people who have had that kind of sadness - my best friend had to have a termination very late on in pregnancy and has never really got over it. She is being lovely about my pregnancy though, but I know it's hard for her.

Must be tough with your other half working abroad - do you find it difficult?

I joined a gym today and will go to their pregnancy pilates class tomorrow then aqua aerobics Thursday. Hope to meet some other pregnant peeps there. I couldn't for the life of me find an aquanatal class anywhere near me (the aqua aerobics is just for 'normal' people but they say it's fine for pregnant women too).

How annoying about the scan! Although I have heard that any time from 18-24 weeks is fine, the 20 week thing being just a guide. Mine will be at nearly 23 by the time it arrives (week Weds) - tried to call and get an earlier appt but just couldn't get through...

All the best with your mw app tomorrow - I have my obst one then too. Busy times eh?!