pre conception appointment + app question

bo17

Hi Everyone,

DH and I had initially planned on quitting birth control in March, but when I realized I was out of my pills last week we decided to move it up 2 months rather than refill the prescription . We are excited and nervous.

My question is next Saturday I have a pre-conception appointment with my Dr.. any recommendations about what questions I should ask?

2nd question- are there any good iphone apps for charting? I have been tracking my cycle with period start and end dates on a fertility app but I am wondering if there is one that is more detailed than anyone can recommend.

Jags8

I can't answer your first question, but as for an app, use Fertility Friend. You can chart BBT, CM, sex...

Jags8

fredalina said:

Fertilityfriend.com I don't understand preconception appointments. They can't do any fertility testing until you're been trying for a year. A general physical with a primary doctor would be better probably. He may inform you of things you mislearned about your body over the years. You could read Taking Charge of Your Fertility and learn the same things.

I'm not sure either. I have my regular yearly appointment next week, and I will ask a few questions then. We aren't going to TTC until September, but I can't imagine anything big will change between now and then that I would suddenly need "preconception checkup."

bo17

I was kind of thinking the same thing.. but I guess good to go and discuss anyway. I do have a history of epilepsy as well ans have some questions about that. because of my coverage plan I can't go for a yearly checkup/physical until feb 20 and I wanted to see her sooner so that was one benefit of requesting a pre conception appt

thanks ladies! I will check out fertility friend.

nina&bill

I had a preconception discussion when I went for annual/implanon removal. Breast cancer runs in the family (mom and sister) so it was mostly questions about what are my options if I'm pregnant before my next annual mammogram, and other questions asking when testing was done as this April is when we first start ttc. I also needed a prescription PNV because of my allergies.

FemShep

Definitely ask about your epilepsy, your medications, and any other health conditions that you or your partner have or that run in your families.

I use Ovia for tracking. In addition to BBT, CM, mood, and physical symptoms, the app also has health tracking features (tracks food, activity, medications, links with Fitbit) and I like the analysis they give of my overall health. Good luck!

MMason12

You really don't need a preconception apt. The only reason doctors don't mind doing them is because they get to charge your insurance $$.  

You should be able to call the nurse (my OB office has an online portal that we can send an email to the nurse as well) and ask about your medication.  Other than that you will get a lot of - have sex, relax, call when your pregnant, bye. 

I would suggest FertilityFriend for charting.  If you "like" their facebook page they have offers with huge discounts for the VIP version every once in a while.  

Good luck. 

Wine&Cupcakes

Jags8 said:

fredalina said:

Fertilityfriend.com I don't understand preconception appointments. They can't do any fertility testing until you're been trying for a year. A general physical with a primary doctor would be better probably. He may inform you of things you mislearned about your body over the years. You could read Taking Charge of Your Fertility and learn the same things.

I'm not sure either. I have my regular yearly appointment next week, and I will ask a few questions then. We aren't going to TTC until September, but I can't imagine anything big will change between now and then that I would suddenly need "preconception checkup."

This exactly. I have my annual physical and pap this month and I will bring up TTC then, but I'm already taking a PNV. For me, DH and I have to have genetic testing because of a condition I have that may require special care when TTC and during pregnancy...other than that, I would just have my annual!

magpie1127

I haven't started TTC yet, so I can't speak to preconception doctor appointments, but I will recommend my app! I'm currently using it to chart to avoid pregnancy, until later this year ... Though we aren't being very careful about it It's called Kindara, and it allows you to chart the same things Fertility Friend does. For some reason, FF crashes/fails to load on my iphone.

cateyes543

Pink pal is also a great app. They have a free one where you can chart AF, weight, BBT, etc and then they have a paid one with more benifits (not sure what though, I use the free one). It can also send reminders to take vitamins or whatever you tell it to and reminders when ovulation day and AF are coming

SmileyJay

If you are like me, having a preconception appointment just makes you feel more ready. There is nothing wrong with that and it can't hurt. If it is worth the co-pay to you then don't let people here make you feel like it is not a good idea. My husband really wanted me to get an exam, too. I knew we were going to ttc at my last annual obgyn visit (annual pelvic exam) and so it sort of became a pre-conception visit. I am assuming since your birth control prescription ends in March you were about due for your annual visit anyways so you are just moving it up to get checked out before ttc. I think that is really smart even if it's not totally necessary. 

I brought my pre-natal vitamins and my bbt charts with me. She told me the prenatals are good, ran down the list of foods that are best to avoid, and just answered questions I had. Some questions for me were:

- After I get a positive test, how soon should I schedule an appointment with your office?

- What tests and sonograms are typical during a normal pregnancy? (every office is different and medical stuff makes me nervous so I wanted to know)

- Have you worked with any doulas? We plan to hire one.

- How do I become a patient of the nurse midwife that works with your office?

- What herbal teas are safe to drink during pregnancy?

- What exercises should I avoid in early pregnancy? Which are most important to include? 

Obviously a lot of these questions are presumptuous that I will get pregnant quickly. Hope for the best though! I just wanted to have answers so I wasn't calling in to ask. It also felt good to have her look over my charts and say they looked great. 

As far as bbt apps - Fertility Friend is great if you really want an app. I am an odd ball and personally prefer paper copies. I don't keep my phone next to the bed but I keep a clip board with my chart in my night stand. It is also easier to bring to the obgyn. If I adopt bbt charting as part of a long-term birth control plan then I will probably go back to fertility friend.

Good luck!

SmileyJay

Just wanted to add - I didn't really have a list prepared... mostly those just came up in conversation. I have known my obgyn for a long time and she is easy to talk to so she was asking things like "have your thought about using a midwife" etc., but those are the things I was glad to get an answer to. I jotted down the info I got when we got to the car. 

missnacholover

I had a pre-conception appointment due to having an existing condition and I wanted to get some questions answered.  It was more of a "what to expect" in regards of pregnancy with diabetes appointment and there was not a physical.  If you are due/need a physical, definitely let them know when you schedule the appointment.

If you don't need a physical, I think a Pre-conception appointment isn't really needed.  Chances are the doc will just tell you to start taking PNV and to have fun and call him/her back when you get a BFP.

I track my temp and stuff with fertility friend.

thejucheidea

I'm having a pre-conception appointment because I have some medication things that have to be worked out and I would like to make sure that I'm 100% up to date on my vaccinations before doing anything because my job exposes me to a bunch of illnesses. I also work with chemotherapy every day, so I want to have a nice, long conversation with my doctor about environmental issues.

So... some of us do need a pre-conception appointment and aren't just doing it 'because our doctors want to bill insurance'. That's kind of a nasty thing to say to those of us who want it for specific reasons or to quell our minds before embarking on a life-changing venture.

Pookieson

I had a preconception appointment. I will have a high risk pregnancy so it just made me feel better. Totally worth the co-pay to have some fears alleviated. If you feel you need one and don't mind the copay... Go for it. I probably wouldn't have gotten one if I didn't have issues before...but it's an individual choice. I use fertility friend. Good luck!

magpie1127

WhoCanItBeNow said:

::head desk:: at all the "just do it for your own happiness". Thanks for driving up everyone's insurance rates with your unnecessary appointments. Some of you had reasons to have one. Because you are a planner or worrier is not one. And a good number of you could simply call and ask your questions, the nurse will pass them along to the doctor, get answers, and call you back. For free. What a concept.

Sure, it's just a copay for you. Your insurance company still pays the rest. If every woman goes in for this unnecessary visit that is millions in claims that didn't need to be made.

Do you all also think that a woman should get a weekly ultrasound with pregnant to ease her mind? Cost be damned, right?

I mean, yeah, but this is what we've done to ourselves as a nation. Wouldn't it be great if family doctors still took center stage, so a woman wouldn't have any issue coming to the doctor she's always seen with any concerns? Unfortunately, we don't have that kind of health care now, and some women want peace of mind. I can't really fault anyone. 

Besides, I make up for their over-concern by going years at a time without seeing a doctor. My pre-conception (if you want to call it that, but it's just a typical ob/gyn appointment) will be the first time I've seen a lady doc in 2 years (never had an abnormal pap, so 2 years is the recommended time between appointments). I haven't had a physical since I was 20.

Ashleypixie

TheCraftyKoala said:

If you are like me, having a preconception appointment just makes you feel more ready. There is nothing wrong with that and it can't hurt. If it is worth the co-pay to you then don't let people here make you feel like it is not a good idea. My husband really wanted me to get an exam, too. I knew we were going to ttc at my last annual obgyn visit (annual pelvic exam) and so it sort of became a pre-conception visit. I am assuming since your birth control prescription ends in March you were about due for your annual visit anyways so you are just moving it up to get checked out before ttc. I think that is really smart even if it's not totally necessary. 

I brought my pre-natal vitamins and my bbt charts with me. She told me the prenatals are good, ran down the list of foods that are best to avoid, and just answered questions I had. Some questions for me were:

- After I get a positive test, how soon should I schedule an appointment with your office?

- What tests and sonograms are typical during a normal pregnancy? (every office is different and medical stuff makes me nervous so I wanted to know)

- Have you worked with any doulas? We plan to hire one.

- How do I become a patient of the nurse midwife that works with your office?

- What herbal teas are safe to drink during pregnancy?

- What exercises should I avoid in early pregnancy? Which are most important to include? 

Obviously a lot of these questions are presumptuous that I will get pregnant quickly. Hope for the best though! I just wanted to have answers so I wasn't calling in to ask. It also felt good to have her look over my charts and say they looked great. 

As far as bbt apps - Fertility Friend is great if you really want an app. I am an odd ball and personally prefer paper copies. I don't keep my phone next to the bed but I keep a clip board with my chart in my night stand. It is also easier to bring to the obgyn. If I adopt bbt charting as part of a long-term birth control plan then I will probably go back to fertility friend.

Good luck!

These are all excellent questions to ask. I think you have a lot of good reasons for a pre conception appointment. I was also worried about my epilepsy medication (I take lamictal) and the risks for birth defects. Fortunately there are very few, but I was referred to a specialist to check my levels periodically and do the several tests for congenital birth defects. I was also taking a medication in the first few weeks for occasional insomnia that was a category x! So if you take any other medications bring that up! Anything else you need to know I'm sure your doctor will tell you. And they'll also give you prenatal vitamin samples and probably packets of information to take home. Good for you for being completely prepared!

thejucheidea

@Ashleypixie, I also take Lamictal, but for bipolar disorder. My psychiatrist says that the big risk with Lamictal is cleft palate, but you're supposed to take folic acid with Lamictal, so I've been doing that for years and am therefore not as concerned about the side effects. I'm still going to discuss it all with my gynecologist when I see her at the end of the month -- I want to run EVERYTHING by her.