First appointments - please help a confused Australian :)
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I personally didn’t need a general practitioner or a referral. I had been here just a few months, and reached out to a couple programs and it was all covered by my insurance just fine. I think you’ll need to check with your particular insurance to find out what they require, unfortunately. What insurance do you have?
I should clarify - I used midwives, and transitioned from one company of midwives to the large midwife network at UCSD. I didn’t use an OBGYN. But just saying “programs” probably sounded weird. Sorry about that.
first congratulations! there isn’t a lot that is done in the first trimester. don’t bother with gp. find an obgyn with your insurance- they will ask you the date of your last menstrual cycle, your first appointment will most likely be with the nurse practitioner (doctors assistant) they will probably do a transvaginal ultrasound (not on the tummy but inside so be prepared for that), they will give you an estimated due date and help you plan next steps!
and as far as testing goes- you can choose to do the NIPT test which is a blood test requiring blood draw but that can only be done around 10-12 weeks at the earliest I believe.
Thanks so much for the info, I think our insurance is with Cigna? So I might start by contacting them ☺️
Just to add, I am covered by Health Insurance while I am here.