Pointless Appointments

Ive skipped a few of mines in the third trimester. I also felt like they were pointless.

right? Thanks for the validation!
It doesn’t seem harmful to skip if everything is fine 🤷🏼‍♀️

They check blood pressure usually right? I had to go into the hospital for high BP yesterday glad I went to my appointment because I was gonna skip because it was hot and I woulda never knew 😭

This is how I felt at my appointment today.
My husband and I were in the office for 2 hours today, most of which was waiting. Had about 15 minutes for my BPP and then 2 minutes with the OB.

Agree! 36 weeks here. I’m doing a home monitoring program for weight and BP, I’ve declined cervical checks, they have never measured my belly. So when I go in, she checks baby’s heartbeat and takes my urine.

At least the clinic is about five minutes from my house so in total appointments only take me about 20 minutes.

Not necessarily. I guess it depends on your provider. Making sure your BP is still good, checking on baby's heartbeat, checking their positioning and measuring. I go to a midwife though, not sure how obgyns are at this point. It's also good to be reassured (to me at least) all is well.

I missed my 35 week appointment and the when the scheduling staff called to confirm my appointment they were like you know you have an appointment and you are coming right when normally I’m calling to confirm alright see you then

Yes! I just felt this way the other day. I went yesterday and they took blood pressure, measured my belly and checked heart beat and asked if I had questions which I asked what I had and the midwife was on call for the hospital which I get but as soon as she answered the last question took off out of the room and never saw her again. I wonder why they don’t do a ultrasound, they haven’t mentioned one for me and I want to know things are ok and all that and how they know form just taking a measuring tape across your belly I don’t know.

Definitely feel like they’re pointless now also. I missed my 38 week today and they’re making me go in tomorrow. But it’s all the same. Takes me 15 minutes to get to the clinic and I’m in and out within 15 minutes.

Kind of like said, the reassurance is what matters. Sometimes you can have high BP and not know. And I remember someone on here was told their baby’s heart rate was 300 bpm or something like that and she had no clue! The appt probably saved her baby’s life. But as someone who is having a low risk pregnancy, I can definitely agree that sometimes the meetings feel pointless, but again, at least there is reassurance!

I don’t mind going. But it seems like a lot for me to drive 30 minutes just for that! Thankfully, I get weekly ultrasounds now. ONLY because I take medications that have been linked to under development in growth. Thankfully my baby measures perfect every time (51%). I’d still go, for me it makes the time go faster especially now that I’ve hit my weekly appointments.

Just wanted to clarify — I agree they seem completely pointless but not advocating for skipping!

it doesn’t actually mean that. It means they think you are healthy and low risk. There are tons of issues they can miss towards the end because they stop monitoring anything. Like microcephaly for example…

it can happen to anyone. There should just be way more routine monitoring in general towards the end of every pregnancy regardless of perceived “risk”

I felt this with my first, but I do enjoy getting out of the house an see people for a change🙃 but that's just me🤷🏼‍♀️

yes, they do. I have a BP machine at home though so I can do this myself and haven’t had any issues with BP in any of my pregnancies.
I am glad you went though and did get checked!
How’re you feeling?

yeah, the whole measuring thing is bizarre to me. I don’t understand why they refuse to do an ultrasound at this point in pregnancy.
My sister is due just 5 days apart from me, and she just had her ultrasound yesterday. So frustrating.

The appointments are boring until they’re not. As someone whose appointments changed quickly and without warning, you don’t want one of those. It’s important to be informed. You should go to every appointment offered.

this is me! It's a hassle to get there and find Parking but it's also nice to get out of the house alone.

My appts are always quite useful - I ask my midwife loads of questions, they check blood pressure, measure bump at every one and tell me where baby is, listen to heartbeat. On Monday they’re doing blood tests. At 39 weeks I can have a sweep. I’ve had a 35 week scan and have an antenatal appt tomorrow. Might be different over here though. I’d say it’s good news though if everything is ok?!