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@loki: I think it depends on the doctor/midwife. I am using midwives again and for the first appointment they do a urine test to confirm the pregnancy and then it's just a lot of information. Information on their practice, information from me on my health background, information on what to expect. We also scheduled a dating ultrasound at the first appointment and expect to do the same this time. Don't know that a dating ultrasound is always done, they only do them if you think the due date may be more than 5 days different than the date from your LMP.

I would start writing down any questions you have so that you know what to ask. I had a little notebook (5"x7") that I carried in my purse that I would write down any questions.

I know some people get blood tests to confirm pregnancy, but that wasn't the case for me.

@2peasinapod - I am so so very sorry to hear that and thank you for your warm wishes, you are so gracious.

My appointment went today went pretty well -the dr did a vaginal ultrasound and although its early, and we couldn't see much, we could see the gestational sac and yolk sac which all looked good. However, the dr did notice that I have a blood clot just outside the gestational sac. She said that is what's causing the spotting and that it may just go away on its own, but that it's also something they need to monitor. I will go back next week again. There's nothing more I can do at this stage, so I'm just keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best.

@loki my appointment today was just a urine test to confirm and then a vaginal ultrasound. I asked about bloodwork and they said it wasn't necessary because they did the ultrasound. The appointment was quick because I was just a "squeeze in" due to the spotting. Hopefully next week there will be more time for talking and I plan to ask some questions about exercise and air travel.

@lulu22: good to hear your appointment went well. i've heard lots of stories about clotting that was a complete non issue and disappeared at some point throughout the pregnancy so everything sounds good to me i also want to ask about air travel and exercise. we have a trip booked for january!

@lulu22: ah can't wait for that! how many weeks are you now?

@lulu22: That's so exciting that you got to see the ultrasound! Good to know what is causing the spotting and hopefully it will continue to be a non issue!

@2peasinapod: I'm so sorry hun! My heart goes out to you.
@lulu22: So jealous you already got to see your little bean! I went to an RE for my last pregnancy so I got many of those early ultrasounds and I fear I will only get one at 20 weeks now. I wouldn't worry too much about the blood clot. Every time I've heard of someone having it, it hasn't affected their pregnancy.
@loki: Take your first visit to ask any questions you're wondering about. You only get visits once a month at this stage, so you want to take advantage of this time with your provider.

@lulu22: What a beautiful ultrasound story, especially that detail about your DH.

As for me, celebrating 5w today, still in disbelief about how this little one is developing without my having to do anything!

After taking a couple weeks off from the gym because of IVF, I finally went back last night, and it feels so good to be back on the horse again! I definitely felt short of breath more easily and had to take more breaks than usual, but the moving around helped my cramps. Nausea and fatigue haven't quite hit yet, so I'm trying to take advantage! Anyone else trying to stay active?

I've been trying to stay active. I've been doing PiYo which is a mix of Pilates and yoga, but I definitely have to modify. It helps me feel stretched out and strong, but man am I tired most days! I really have to push myself to get dressed and work out most days.

@Boopers: PiYo sounds like such a great prenatal exercise! Strengthening the core and all that, getting the blood flowing with low-impact!

@lulu22: That's so exciting that you got to see something! I can't wait for that. This still doesn't feel real to me, and I don't think it will until I hear a heartbeat or see an image.

It felt a little more real when I called the midwives practice yesterday and said the words out loud. My first appointment isn't until September (they said they wait until 8-10 weeks), which is so much later compared to all of you! I need to reschedule though, because DH realized he can't make the time I chose, so I'll share the exact date once that's settled. Yay!

@windswept: 1-2 miles a few times a week is pretty good IMO! And rock climbing! That's hardcore! What a fun thing to do together! And the Mayo Clinic Guide was also my first book! DH finally stopped asking me questions since I downloaded the ebook on his Kindle. It's a nice change having him tell me what's going on in the 5th week! As for early appointments, I know that I'm able to have a very early appointment because of my situation (IVF). At my previous clinic, I would've had a u/s by now, but at the new clinic I'm at, they're seeing me at 7w. I can't imagine waiting 8-10 weeks! Hopefully the time passes by quickly!

@HappyBluebird: i think you totally could! i'll do yoga for like 6 months and then take like a year long break... so when i start back up again i'm a total newbie. yoga is very non judgemental and individual so no one will care if you don't know what you're doing. my concern is going to prenatal yoga before i'm showing. i wonder if they'll think i'm not actually pg and i'm just chubby haha.

Again I'm hoping I didn't miss anything, let me know if I did!

April Mamas!
April 1: Boopers
April 3: As time goes by
April 5: Neekierose
April 6: Lulu22
April 7: HappyBluebird, Pawprints
April 8: Ineebee
April 10: Windswept
April 12: Loki, Marionberry
April 19: Lilyofthewest

Appointments
August 6: Boopers
August 7: Neekierose
August 11: Loki
August 13: Pawprints, Lulu 22
August 18: Marionberry
August 19: Ineebee
August 21: As time goes by
August 25: HappyBluebird

@HappyBluebird: ya i'm going to call the place near me and see if people go in their 1st trimester. i don't wanna be the only one without a belly!

@NeekieRose: how did i not even think of that? that's super smart. i think i'll still go to classes to try and meet some other future moms in my area but supplementing at home is a genius idea.

@windswept: I bought nearly all of them but I would recommend the most "your pregnancy week by week".
@HappyBluebird: I got a prenatal yoga DVD with my last pregnancy and it was super easy to do at home.

@NeekieRose: @marionberry: Very smart! I think I will definitely try a DVD first and see how it goes before paying for classes

The only books I read the first time around was What to Expect when You're Expecting and this Day by Day Pregnancy "Journal". I loved that it told you what was happening day by day. I did not use any of the journaling aspects though. http://www.amazon.com/The-Pregnancy-Journal-Day-Day/dp/081186989X/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0N3ZBZ11P5R9S551SSH3

Then I did a lot of online reading!

@windswept @neekierose I have just got some books too! I got What to Expect and a really interesting one called 'Origins' which I think is going to be good.... but I must admit I have not really got into them yet because what I've really been loving as an alternative is the Ovia Pregnancy app - it's free and it's an AMAZING app which tells you what's going on with the baby every day and it has an excellent food safety lookup, as well as a medication safety lookup and you can log your activity and diet too. I'm so addicted to it, it's the first thing I check when I wake up each morning! I really recommend it.

@lulu22: i downloaded this but obviously haven't been using it to it's full capability!!! amazing!