I am 22 weeks pregnant and until now, I have seen my OBG once a month, except 1 extra appointment (Bell's Palsy recheck). During my visit yesterday, he advised that he wants to see me bi-monthly now...to keep an eye on my blood pressure. It is usually around 130/88 but has gone a bit higher. I also had keytones in my urine. In the next week or two I will be going for my glucose test...what fun. My question is...is it normal for my doctor to want to see me every other week this early? Or is normally later that you start bi-weekly appointments? Thanks!!
Usually it's once a month till the last month but it's clear they have concerns and just want to monitor you better so let them and congrats!
I am pregnant now and with both my first one and this one my doctor started visits every two weeks at 32 weeks. It sounds like he just wants to keep a closer eye on you for a couple of reasons. Be happy that he wants to monitor you closely if your blood pressure is rising a little. Try not to worry too much...It is always better to be on the safe side! Congratulations and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy!
By the way, the glucose test really isn't bad at all!
HOw fantastic that you have a doctor that wants to go the extra mile to keep you and that baby safe! Sometimes moms can get a doctor that sees so many patients and has gotten so used to doing what they do that it's like herding cattle through a chute.
It sounds like he just wants to keep a close watch so that if you are experiencing any kind of complications he can head them off at the pass. Just go with it. Don't worry until he tells you to.
Congratulations on your impending arrival. What joy you have in store for you!
Lisa
He's wanting to see you more often because of your blood pressure and keytones, he probably wants to make sure you don't develop diabetes while you are pregnant.
I had PIH (pregnancy induced hypertension) and pre-eclampsia with my daughter. Your doctor wants to keep an eye on your blood pressure and the ketones in your urine. I believe ketones are a symptom of gestational diabetes. Make sure you get your glucose done on time! It's not that bad, just try to schedule it as early in am as possible. You can't eat before your test, so the earlier the better. If you have any questions on PIH or pre-eclampsia, let me know. After my first hand experienc, I'm quite knowledgable! ;)
He is keeping an eye on you for your blood pressure. I had pre-eclampsia during my first pregnancy. Do what he tells you and you will be fine. You should probably try to take it easy. My blood pressure got even higher because I was moving.
If you have any questions let me know. I had to take blood pressure meds during my second pregnancy, but I did not get the preeclampsia with that one. I am thinking the keytones tell if you have the pre-eclampsia.
Good luck and take it easy.
When i was preg. with my 2nd son I developed diabetes. They saw me every other week and saw a gestational diabetes ob and also did a non-stress test on the baby until i hit 30 weeks, then I went every week. I was a little annoyed with all the visits at first but was glad that he was making sure we both were ok. And it was cool to hear the heart beat for 20 minutes each week:)
Good luck & take it easy this 2nd half:)
This is earlier than ususal. You usually don't go for appts. every other week until the 7th month, but I wouldn't be too alarmed. It sounds as if they are on the lookout for pre-eclampsia. I was put on bed rest 2 weeks before due date for the same thing. Watch your salt intake, and look for symptoms of your blood pressure rising like the "swirlies." Don't be too alarmed. They are airing on the side of caution which is for the best. With my 2nd child, I had weekly appt.'s and ultrasounds from the 5th month on because they thought something was wrong with her. She is more than perfect now! Good luck w/ your 1st baby!
I pretty much agree with what everyone is saying. I had the same thing happen with my pregnancy. My blood pressure was a little high so I had to start having visits more often earlier on. It is hard, but just try to relax and know that they are just keeping a closer eye, which is a good thing! It sounds like you have a wonderful doctor, trust him and concentrate on the wonderful baby you will have soon!!
With both of my pregnancies, my dr. wanted to see me about every month, but I wasn't happy with that - so we compromised on every 3 weeks.
It is fantastic he's wanting to have more appointments - high blood pressure during a pregnancy isn't good, and that's the cause for increased appointments.
To me - it's very normal to have that happen (increase the appointments for that reason).
Good luck!
With high blood pressure you are at higher risk for having preterm labor and possibly other issues. (It is normal for blood pressures to be lower than their normal during pregnancy but not higher) The higher risk is why he would want to see you more often. I was a "high risk" pregnancy for other reasons and that is about the time that my doctor started to see me bi-weekly. He started seeing me once a week earlier than "normal" pregnancies and in the third trimester I went twice a week the whole time. It just means he wants to watch you more closely to catch anything that could happen earlier.
With your blood pressure going up its normal. If there are problems then they like to check things out a little more. If the blood pressure stays up then they might eventually see you every week to check on meds they might give you. Good luck with everything!!!!
I think its normal. If you have high blood pressure he will want to monitor you for something called preeclampsia. It is swelling, high blood pressure and I think can cause preterm labor.. Its routine that he will want to keep an eye on it.
Hello,
If your blood pressure was normal and urine was normal he probably wouldn't up the visits yet...You may want to ask more questions...remember doctors treat you as if you go through this as many times as they do?? Ask,,what is he looking for, what dose it mean when your blood pressure changes, what is normal or abnormal in you urine and what could those things elude to? The more you know the more you may understand why he request you come more often.
Good luck to you,
Alexis B
Remember, because you are 35, you are as my doc called me an "elderly pregnancy". We (I was 38 with my first and just had my second at 40!) are automatically considered high risk and are at a higher risk for pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia is where your blood pressure goes out of control. If your blood pressure is high, then the baby's blood pressure is higher. Also, if your blood pressure continues to climb, you are susceptible to seizures. You are right, normally you don't start bi-weekly appointments until 33-35 weeks but obviously, your doctor feels there is a reason at this point in time. Just remember, roll with the punches and if you truly don't feel right with what your doctor is saying go see one of his partners or a nurse practitioner.
You usually don't start bi weekly appts until about 34 weeks, but you are borderline preeclampsia with blood pressure that high and protein in your urine, so you are becoming high risk. Do everything you can to take care of yourself because your baby isn't ready to be in our world yet. Drink TONS of water, that helps alot with blood pressure issues. Also, there are some great herbal rememdies for high blood pressure in pregnancy if you are open to alternatives to pharmaceuticals.
People! It's not nice to freak out a pregnant lady!!
Lori,
Don't spend time thinking and worrying about it. I would drink extra water, cut out as much extra white sugar as you can a spend some time with your feet up relaxing. You may be 35 but you are not "elderly". For the love. I had friends who were 25 when they got pregnant who had issues with high blood pressure and they were fine. They delivered the baby when it was time with no problems. As far as sugar and stuff is concerned exercise is the best idea. Now don't go to a gym and start running and lifting but you can start by walking (if you haven't been active till this point). They say a mile a day is a good goal. You can break it up if you haven't walked until this point. Just start out slow. That will help with your sugar levels and blood pressure. Then drink water all day everyday. Cut out (or back) Caffine (as it can have a negative effect on your blood pressure). You are going to be just fine as long as you don't stress about it. Stress increases blood pressure. Take a warm bath (not hot). And spend some time walking and relaxing. You are going to be just fine.
Seeing the doctor every 2 weeks is not a big deal. The doctors have to cover their butts so they will jump to worst case senerio even when nothing big is going on. The first pregnancy I cried alot because I was sure my baby had problems. The third I told them to "cool it" and stop being so negative. All three of my babies were fine and yours will be too. Don't stress about it.
HUGS,
Michelle
It's been 6.5 years since I had my youngest so I don't quite remember when the bi-monthly appointments began. But what I wanted to tell you is that you definitely want to pay attention to the blood pressure. And since this is your first pregnancy I'm thinking that is why your doctor is suggesting the increased frequency. I had pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) with my first and it wasn't pleasant, but mine wasn't detected early. I don't want to scare you but just be sure to pay close attention to your doctor and ask as many questions as possible to ensure your fears (if there are any) are subsided. Good Luck!
Sounds like you have some issues that need watching. I wouldn't worry too much. When you get closer (was that way when I had my kids), you will be going every week. It's better to be watch than to have any surprises that need worrying about. My daughter has had a few medical problems with this pregnancy and they are taking her in early. Everything is fine, but they feel this is the best way to go right now. It will only be about 2 weeks early, which will not hurt a thing.