My First Prenatal Visit

There was no question about which doctor in Orlando I was going to see. He had delivered three of our other children and had done an excellent job. He explained things well, had a great bedside manner, is well respected at the hospitals in town, and was there for us when I almost lost a baby.

So I scheduled my first office visit. I was told by the receptionist that the cost would be $175 for the visit. This was called the pregnancy confirmation visit. I was weighed, had my blood pressure taken, had a in office pregnancy test, and was examined by the doctor. He was glad to see me and heartily congratulated me on being pregnant again. He asked how my husband was doing and how the kids were. It was good to see him, and to know that we would be spending our money wisely, by hiring a doctor that cared about us. He said he wanted me to come back next week for my first sonogram, for dating and measurement purposes.

We shook hands and then I went to see the nurse. She drew my blood for the routine blood work that is done at the beginning of a pregnancy. I happily paid a blood draw fee $10 to have my blood drawn in the office, versus having to drive across town and wait in line at a lab.