Preconception check ups

Jenniebug7

Hello! I'm new and I have been on and off this site for about 7 years. I'm a big lurker and I'm posting my first post! My husband and I are currently TTC. How many of you went to a doctor to have a full check up before conception to make sure you had a clean bill of health? Or health problems you never knew about it? Obviously it's recommended, but was it a must do for you? TIA

Ducktale

Nope. Unless you have a medical condition or meds you need advice on, I don't see the point. I'll go for my yearly exam, and bring up TTC at that time, but no separate appointment.

dogperson11

I agree with Ducktale. I'll bring it up at my annual in February but have no need to go before then. Waste of an appointment and copay.

Jenniebug7

That makes sense, I was just wondering what others thought. I had my check up in Oct and no different news, but I'm reading a book that says to make an appt, so I figured I would get others input. Thanks ladies

Jags8

I feel like if you're TTC within a year of your last yearly, you're probably fine. I have my appt in January, I'm going to bring up our plans to TTC in September, and then start TTC in September.

Ardmhs83

I never made an appointment before getting pregnant with DS.  I wouldn't this time around either, but I had bad PPD with DS and I'm still using some meds.  Therefore, I have to go this time to get all of that in check.  I'd say if you are healthy, you are probably fine.  Especially since you have your yearly next month.  Just bring it up while you're there.  Congrats & good luck!

FemShep

I brought it up at my annual a few months before we were planning to start TTC.  My doctor told me to make sure I was taking my prenatal vitamins and to schedule an appointment if nothing happened in 6 months (I was over 35).  That was the extent of the conversation.    

So long as you've been seeing a doctor regularly, I don't see the point.  They won't do any tests or exams until you have problems.  If you haven't had a physical in more than a year, however, it's not a bad idea, especially if it's been multiple years since you've had an exam.  

You do want to make sure you go in for regular (every 6 mo) dental checkups when you're TTC.

SmileyJay

Yes but only because I get my annual obgyn exam in Dec and we are planning to start ttc in January... so I brought it up and got some advice and the green light. If I had gotten an exam in September and we decided afterwards to ttc... I would not have scheduled an extra visit. 

I also had not been to my general dr in a while (a few years really) and went in in November just for a general check up. I have bad sinus issues so I wanted to make sure I didn't have signs of an infection or anything else they may notice before ttc. Also it's nice to have someone say I am a good weight and appear healthy in other areas like blood glucose level, blood pressure, etc. 

If it has been over 9 months since your last pap and exam I would just go ahead and get it out of the way before ttc. That is just me though, likely there are no issues and it's not necessary. Best of luck TTC!!

Ducktale

uconnhuskie007 said:

I did and found out I had pre-cancerous cells in my uterus, but by the time the results from my biopsy came back I found out I was already pregnant.  Well, wouldn't you believe it after I had DS I went for another biopsy and they downgraded naturally during my pregnancy. 

But ya - you should have a check up before trying to conceive to be able to deal with that kind of stuff.

What was different about a "preconception checkup" that they found that, that they wouldn't have otherwise found at a regular yearly exam?

aggiebug

What questions did you ask and your annual

TheCraftyKoala said:

Yes but only because I get my annual obgyn exam in Dec and we are planning to start ttc in January... so I brought it up and got some advice and the green light.

This is kind of the same boat I am in. I need to schedule exam soon and will start actively ttc in the spring. What questions did you ask?
I feel like I have a good grasp on most aspects of ttc from here and other reading I don't know what I would ask her.

JNCPro3130

I talked to my doctor at my regular check up.  He did take some blood to check for a few things and I got got an immunization that I needed.  I honestly can't remember what the things were because it was a year ago that I did these things (we were going to TTC earlier, but life happened and it got put on hold), but my doctor basically said to have sex EOD and to come back if we aren't pregnant after a year of trying.  Basically the stuff these ladies recommend.    The only thing different that I am going to do is chart my cycles.  My doctor didn't recommend it, but I have been researching/reading from FF.  I won't need to go to the doctor for that.

Jenniebug7

Thank you ladies. I know I missed some questions, but im not at any risks. I felt like face palming myself because my Dr asked me when DH and I were TTC, I said, now. Then she blurts out, well you better start taking pre natals. I told her, well I'm not pregnant but I knew I needed to when I found out I was pregnant! I only thought I was smart ;-) So much I have learned now since actively TTC and just wishing!

laurenstar18

I scheduled an appt like this because i thought i was due for my pap. Turns out my obgyn didn't even check me. She said since my tests have been consistently fine i don't have to get another one for another couple years. So my appt consisted of me sitting on the exam bed asking her questions that i'd written down. I did get blood work done to make sure everything was ok.

Sine i switched to my husband's insurance, this was the first time i met my obgyn so it wasn't a total waste of time.

SmileyJay

@ aggiebug - I took my bbt charts with me and my prenatal vitamins. I knew I was charting right but I really like my OB and it felt good to have her say "this looks really good" and tell me the prenatals have everything I need. Questions I asked:

After I get a positive test, how long should I wait before scheduling my first exam? She said call around the 6 week mark and it will schedule between 9 and 12 weeks if everything is going well since I just had an exam.

What should I expect as prenatal care? This was really important for me to feel mentally ready because medical stuff makes me squirm. I liked knowing how many ultrasounds, blood tests, etc. This could change if a test comes back abnormal but she gave me the general rundown of what they recommend. 

How do I become a patient of the CNM that works with your office? My OB is on of only 9 practices in my state with a certified nurse midwife on staff and this is a big deal for me because I am hoping for a natural birth.

What are your thoughts on natural birth? There are some doctors who will answer this with "with modern medicine, I don't see the point." and these are doctors with higher c-section rates. My Dr. was very supportive and had just delivered a natural birth the week before and said it was beautiful. Love her. 

How do you feel about me hiring a doula? This is something we plan to do. I don't have a good relationship with my mom and I think the extra support from a woman would really help. Most doctors like mine love the idea, others will feel like the doula impedes their efforts. So I just like to gauge how she feels about it and asked if she had one she recommends. She was cool with it but didn't have a suggestion. 

Any tips for helping us conceive quickly? She just said relax, take your vitamins, and try to time around ovulation. She also mentioned OPKs to help know for sure when ovulation is about to occur. So, duh... already knew all of that. And she said if it doesn't happen in 6 cycles while using my charts, to give her a call. They won't do anything until 12 cycles (I'm 24) but I could make an appointment and she can help me go over my charts and see what could be the issue. There are ways to help extend the luteal phase, etc. if something seems a little off. 

These answers just sort of came in conversation, I didn't have them written down or anything. I had a notebook in my purse and wrote down what she said when we got back to the car so I don't forget a year from now. Hope it helps! 

SmileyJay

To be clear - I wanted the answers to these questions because I want to make sure my current obgyn is a good match for me if I get pregnant. I am not assuming getting pg will be instant or anything, I just wanted to know if I needed to start looking at other doctors. I had never really asked about pregnancy questions because we were always preventing, so it was important to me that my doctor seemed on board with a natural birth and that we clicked on a few important things. If she hadn't, I would be looking for a different doctor to meet with at my first prenatal visit. 

Fingers crossed for all of us who are ttc.