What to expect for this doctor appt?

knitsy

Hi there! First post here (I joined a week or so ago but the forums wouldn't work!)

My husband and I are newlyweds - we got married earlier this month. He's decided he's ready for babies. I've been ready for a long time, but I left the choice up to him. So now it's time, apparently! I stopped taking my birth control about five days ago, and we haven't had sex since.

I have an appointment next week to see my doctor, pretty much to get his okay. I have a son who is six, and my doctor (he's been my doctor for my whole life) has been telling me to have more babies since my son was about two! So I'm sure he'll be thrilled.

My son was not planned, and I didn't even know I was pregnant until 11 or 12 weeks. So this whole thing is new to me.

What can I expect from this pre-conception appointment? I'm on several prescriptions, so I need to see what I can continue to take or what I will have to switch. Aside from that, I'm clueless!

KingLED

Preconception appointments are pointless. Expect to say hi and bye.

knitsy

My doctor's office doesn't do phone calls. I've got to make an appointment with him to speak with him at all. He's a teaching doctor, so he doesn't see many patients himself - I'm one of the lucky few. The prescriptions are a big deal, important enough to validate an appointment. I'm on anti-depressants as well as something for my stomach (I've got gallbladder problems). I've been on the anti-depressants for some time, so if he suggests going off them and trying in a few months, we will do that too.

ramaholic

knitsy said:

Hi there! First post here (I joined a week or so ago but the forums wouldn't work!)

My husband and I are newlyweds - we got married earlier this month. He's decided he's ready for babies. I've been ready for a long time, but I left the choice up to him. So now it's time, apparently! I stopped taking my birth control about five days ago, and we haven't had sex since.

I have an appointment next week to see my doctor, pretty much to get his okay. I have a son who is six, and my doctor (he's been my doctor for my whole life) has been telling me to have more babies since my son was about two! So I'm sure he'll be thrilled.

My son was not planned, and I didn't even know I was pregnant until 11 or 12 weeks. So this whole thing is new to me.

What can I expect from this pre-conception appointment? I'm on several prescriptions, so I need to see what I can continue to take or what I will have to switch. Aside from that, I'm clueless!

@knitsy Since you joined on the 26th, you probably haven't been able to post not because the forums weren't working, but because there is a three-day wait to post after account creation.

As PP have said, preconception appointments are so short, they're not usually worth bothering with.  Expect to talk about your concerns with medications and get a, "good luck, call me when you're pregnant," line.  It'll probably take ten (or less) minutes.

Edit:  Some good resources we have for newbies are the Newbie Blog and Fertility Friend.  They both have some great information and will make your time trying to get pregnant a little less confusing.

knitsy

Copay?

He won't be my doctor when I'm pregnant - I'll see a doctor that's just for that. That's what he did when I had my son, as well. He's in his late fifties - close to retirement, so he only works two days a week. I saw someone who was there full time when I had my son.

He's there for emergencies, though. I broke my hand three years ago and called right as the doctor's office was closing, and he was able to see me right then and stay late for me. He's a very good doctor.

CLECyclist said:

Take prenatals. Stop birth control. Have sex. 

I can PM you my address if you want to just mail me your copay, OP.

Edit: Also that's a bit scary/unsettling that your doctor is so hard to communicate with, especially since you have prescription concerns. Are you going to have to battle for his attention when you're pregnant, too?

knitsy

Everyone who's said it's unnecessary: I do take medications that I'll need to talk about with him prior to getting pregnant. So it's pretty necessary for me. The prescriptions I'm on are not ones I'm comfortable just going off of on my own accord - I want him to "okay" that for me first. If I weren't on anything I wouldn't bother with this appt.

Cythe

knitsy said:

Everyone who's said it's unnecessary: I do take medications that I'll need to talk about with him prior to getting pregnant. So it's pretty necessary for me. The prescriptions I'm on are not ones I'm comfortable just going off of on my own accord - I want him to "okay" that for me first. If I weren't on anything I wouldn't bother with this appt.

Sounds like you have your answer then.

knitsy

A "GP" is everything here. My doctor does my paps, he does everything. An "OB" here is really just for pregnant women. Other than that, you see your regular doctor.

knitsy

My regular doctor. Regular doctors ARE OB's here. I don't have to have yearly paps anymore... every two years after a certain age where I am. I'm healthy downstairs haha

Hmgavin said:

I was going to ask if this was a GP or OB...have you ever been to an OB? Who prescribed your BCP? When we decided to try, I told my OB at my annual appt. She ran some extra tests including a prenatal blood screen and I had her run a test for CF to see if I was a carrier because MH had a relative w it... I would see an OB if you haven't had a pap within the last year... ** edit for spelling

knitsy

Huh? No, OB's aren't a thing here, that's all I said. That particular piece of advice really does not apply. It's not the same in Canada as it is in the US.

CLECyclist said:

It's not like you live on the moon, if you have a pregnancy related question it makes sense to ask a doctor who is specifically trained in reproductive health. That's all people are trying to say. If you shoot every answer down with "No really it's totally different where I come from" then why ask? 

People are trying to help you, it's not their fault that you don't feel the advice applies to you. 

ramaholic

knitsy said:

Huh? No, OB's aren't a thing here, that's all I said. That particular piece of advice really does not apply. It's not the same in Canada as it is in the US.

knitsy said:

A "GP" is everything here. My doctor does my paps, he does everything. An "OB" here is really just for pregnant women. Other than that, you see your regular doctor.

This contradiction is confusing to me.  You say you don't have OBs, but also that OBs are only for pregnant women?

Edit:  I don't think it's such a bad idea (or bad advice on our part) for you to see or talk to the doctor/doctor's nurse that will do your care while pregnant.  Even if your GP says one thing, if your OB (or whatever) changes that, which one are you going to listen to?

rockopera

LittleBunnyFuFu said:

So am I the only one that wants to punch her doctor for commenting on the number of kids she has?

Nope. I find it weird that she has this super special snowflake relationship with a magical doctor who has an opinion on when she should have children...but then needs complete strangers to tell her what to expect from the appointment. Your special situation, we obv cannot comprehend or help.

knitsy

ramaholic said:

knitsy said:

Huh? No, OB's aren't a thing here, that's all I said. That particular piece of advice really does not apply. It's not the same in Canada as it is in the US.

knitsy said:

A "GP" is everything here. My doctor does my paps, he does everything. An "OB" here is really just for pregnant women. Other than that, you see your regular doctor.

This contradiction is confusing to me.  You say you don't have OBs, but also that OBs are only for pregnant women?

Edit:  I don't think it's such a bad idea (or bad advice on our part) for you to see or talk to the doctor/doctor's nurse that will do your care while pregnant.  Even if your GP says one thing, if your OB (or whatever) changes that, which one are you going to listen to?

We don't have doctors that are SPECIFICALLY OB's. I will see a different doctor WHEN I am pregnant, but seeing that doctor will not be an option UNTIL that point. We don't call them OB's, most of the time.

knitsy

LittleBunnyFuFu said:

So am I the only one that wants to punch her doctor for commenting on the number of kids she has?

My doctor is LDS, and most of the LDS people I know are firm believers in having lots of kids really close together. I didn't mind him saying it. But I've still waited 6 years.

mommacandi

Is there an OB in your area that you don't necessarily have to go in and see, but can call and speak to a nurse or someone to ask about your meds and TTC/pregnancy? That might be more helpful? I don't at all presume to know your situation though.

I had a "preconception" appointment before having my daughter, and by preconception appointment, I mean I was due for a PAP. If you're healthy with no underlying medical issue, they really will just say have sex and call when you're pregnant.

knitsy

mommacandi said:

Is there an OB in your area that you don't necessarily have to go in and see, but can call and speak to a nurse or someone to ask about your meds and TTC/pregnancy? That might be more helpful? I don't at all presume to know your situation though.

I had a "preconception" appointment before having my daughter, and by preconception appointment, I mean I was due for a PAP. If you're healthy with no underlying medical issue, they really will just say have sex and call when you're pregnant.

Honestly I trust my doctor more than anyone else... but I probably wouldn't be able to see someone new anyway. Doctors accepting patients are very hard to come by here... I know lots of people who have to go to walk-in clinics for everything. GP's do everything where I am, so "OB's" are really only available through recommendations or whatever.

rockopera

knitsy said:

LittleBunnyFuFu said:

So am I the only one that wants to punch her doctor for commenting on the number of kids she has?

My doctor is LDS, and most of the LDS people I know are firm believers in having lots of kids really close together. I didn't mind him saying it. But I've still waited 6 years.

Wow. I'm a pretty firm believer that I don't want my doctors to provide care/advice that is based on their belief system, but rather is based on science.

knitsy

LittleBunnyFuFu said:

LittleBunnyFuFu said:

So am I the only one that wants to punch her doctor for commenting on the number of kids she has?

My doctor is LDS, and most of the LDS people I know are firm believers in having lots of kids really close together. I didn't mind him saying it. But I've still waited 6 years.

It's unprofessional, possibly illegal, and he is too busy to speak to patients? Honey, your doctor is a grade A asshole.

He's not, in the least. He's one of the nicest people I know. He's been my doctor my whole life and my mom's doctor before that. He's not too busy to speak to patients... the OFFICE does not allow you to call in and speak to your doctor on the phone. He's only there twice a week anyway, as he is close to retirement. I don't mind his opinions... we're quite close, since our families go way back. I have met his wife and children, that type of thing.

knitsy

DarcyHermione said:

knitsy said:

LittleBunnyFuFu said:

So am I the only one that wants to punch her doctor for commenting on the number of kids she has?

My doctor is LDS, and most of the LDS people I know are firm believers in having lots of kids really close together. I didn't mind him saying it. But I've still waited 6 years.

And that's fine for him, but it's not his business on when and how often you have children.

When he's suggested that I have more kids, it's because my son is adorable and well-behaved and I've done a good job raising him. It's a compliment.

knitsy

CFearsy said:

knitsy said:

mommacandi said:

Is there an OB in your area that you don't necessarily have to go in and see, but can call and speak to a nurse or someone to ask about your meds and TTC/pregnancy? That might be more helpful? I don't at all presume to know your situation though.

I had a "preconception" appointment before having my daughter, and by preconception appointment, I mean I was due for a PAP. If you're healthy with no underlying medical issue, they really will just say have sex and call when you're pregnant.

Honestly I trust my doctor more than anyone else... but I probably wouldn't be able to see someone new anyway. Doctors accepting patients are very hard to come by here... I know lots of people who have to go to walk-in clinics for everything. GP's do everything where I am, so "OB's" are really only available through recommendations or whatever.

Then what exactly are you asking the internet strangers?

My original question was what I MIGHT expect from a preconception appointment, that's all.

knitsy

Trickyjedi said:

JFC are you living in the Arctic Circle? Is there seriously no one else you can go to?

Is this question for me? Sorry, not sure of all the abbrevations used here.

There's a shortage of doctors in my city. Too many people, not enough who want to be doctors.

ramaholic

knitsy said:

Trickyjedi said:

JFC are you living in the Arctic Circle? Is there seriously no one else you can go to?

Is this question for me? Sorry, not sure of all the abbrevations used here.

There's a shortage of doctors in my city. Too many people, not enough who want to be doctors.

JFC = Jesus Fucking Christ

icaughtfire

OP, are you & this doctor banging or something? I get liking your doctor but you seem to REALLY like your doctor.

ms51030

I used my implied face palm gif in the wrong post I think.

amorcito27

I did a preconception visit, mostly because I just wanted to make sure all was good - she took my blood to make sure I didn't need any vaccines and took the time to answer all my questions, most of which I knew the answer to, but wanted confirmation from a doctor.

If you are on meds, it's probably a good idea to chat with him/her to see if you should go off. I was on antidepressants for like 15 years total (Paxil then Zoloft).  Paxil is really difficult to come off of, but worth it once you are off.  Zoloft is a bit easier to come off of and definitely worth it to be off.  I recommend exercising a lot - it's what helps control my depression instead of meds.

Good luck!

LuluRM

This thread is giving me some seriously icky feels...




(Forgive my super old TTGP photo challenge pic. I mostly mobile bump, and haven't changed it because lazy)

tlc35

amorcito27 said:

I did a preconception visit, mostly because I just wanted to make sure all was good - she took my blood to make sure I didn't need any vaccines and took the time to answer all my questions, most of which I knew the answer to, but wanted confirmation from a doctor.

If you are on meds, it's probably a good idea to chat with him/her to see if you should go off. I was on antidepressants for like 15 years total (Paxil then Zoloft).  Paxil is really difficult to come off of, but worth it once you are off.  Zoloft is a bit easier to come off of and definitely worth it to be off.  I recommend exercising a lot - it's what helps control my depression instead of meds.

Good luck!

Umm, why are you giving the OP crappy advice about anti-depressants?  You have no idea why she is on them so why are you recommending that she stop them?

Ant&Al2825

OP, why ask for advice of you're going to get defensive and essentially tell everyone why their advice doesn't apply to you? You see how obnoxious that is, right?

Read the freakin' newbie blog. It says "PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING".

Elizabethcv

knitsy said:

Hi there! First post here (I joined a week or so ago but the forums wouldn't work!)

My husband and I are newlyweds - we got married earlier this month. He's decided he's ready for babies. I've been ready for a long time, but I left the choice up to him. So now it's time, apparently! I stopped taking my birth control about five days ago, and we haven't had sex since.

I have an appointment next week to see my doctor, pretty much to get his okay. I have a son who is six, and my doctor (he's been my doctor for my whole life) has been telling me to have more babies since my son was about two! So I'm sure he'll be thrilled.

My son was not planned, and I didn't even know I was pregnant until 11 or 12 weeks. So this whole thing is new to me.

What can I expect from this pre-conception appointment? I'm on several prescriptions, so I need to see what I can continue to take or what I will have to switch. Aside from that, I'm clueless!

I assumed you were talking about what to expect at your first appointment with an infertility specialist and I was all ears as I made an appointment today. I've never heard of going to the doctor for preconception appointments.

lilsneezy

This thread is weird. OP, where are you from?