if everything is copesetic and you have no history of high-risk pregnancies, you wont see a obgyn/midwife until around 12 weeks... at which time they will order the blood work and an ultrasound... you see the doctor every 4 weeks until 24 weeks, then every 2 weeks until 32, then every week? something like that... there is another ultrasound at around 20 weeks, a glucose screen at about 20 weeks and another blood around the same time too...
if you go the midwife route, i don't believe you need a doctor referral... i think you can just walk in if i remember correctly...I did my second pregnancy under the care of a midwife (although i ended up an emergency c section, go figure)... and i think i just looked them up in the phone book... since they aren't technically doctors, they don't have the same policies about accpeting patients, and honestly they offer the very same care, same tests, and actually spend MORE time discussing things with you and addressing your concerns (and i imagine it's cheaper)... my midwife talked to me for a half hour every appointment, where my OB had me in and out in 5 minutes flat (and waiting for at least a half hour usually!)....
i suggest trying one out in the beginning (assuming you are not high risk, I don't think they will accept high risk)... when your benefits kick in, then you can "decide" you'd rather have the services of a doctor at your delivery and ask for a referral... if you decide to stick with the midwife, you have the same delivery options (drugs/epidural ect) that you would with a doctor (the midwife is supposed to support your decision/birth plan whatever that may be)... it really is a better level of care, you just lack that medical degree (but if there are any issues, they do get medical professionals involved quick... when my son stopped moving in my stomach, my midwife met me at the hosptial and hooked me up to the monitors, then called the doctor in right away when she wasn't happy with what she saw... my son had did a few too many flips and had his cord wrapped around his neck 3x... was removed by c-section at 33weeks.... i honestly feel that if i had called a doctor saying i wasn't feeling movement on a Saturday morning, I may have been told to just hold off and be patient for a while longer, i think Doctors tend to think mothers are a bit flakey when it comes to stuff like this!... but my midwife wanted me to rush right in, she even beat me in there... one nurse said my son wouldn't have survived another day in the state he was in, so it was such a good thing!)
not to harp on it, but another great thing about midwives is the aftercare... that's why i went that route... they actually come to your house, check on you and the baby... see how you are holding up and healing.... mine even pitched in and did my dishes! lol... they visit a few times a week during the two weeks and then as needed afterwards i think... and this was after i had an emergency c-section too...
ugh! so sorry for the ramble!!! just brought back some memories, i forgot how much i actually enjoyed the midwife experience
