TTC/Questions to ask of OBGYN?

curiousmind

Hi,

My husband and I are TTC ... been just a month. I'm 35 and have never had a "real" OBGYN ... just a nurse practitioner to do the regular pap smears. 

I'm meeting with two different OBGYNs this and next week and wondering if you all could provide some guidance on the questions I MUST ask. I'll choose a physician based on my comfort level with them, but would appreciate any other pointers you might have.  

 Many thanks, in advance, for your insights. 

ksgsmu

Well first I recommend charting/temping to see if you ovulate.. I would ask your doctor what value they see in charting and if they would be interested in seeing your chart if you brought it in at a later time. 

I would ask about OPKs

I would ask about a good prenatal vitamin

I would ask for a plan since you are over 35 and TTC. Like will they give you a referral to an RE after 6 months of trying? etc...

If you have any health conditions or are on any medications that might affect a pregnancy this is the time to talk.  ( diabetes , thyroid etc....)

If you have any lifestyle issues you might want to discuss ( weight, smoking, drinking etc...)

 I would also check with your insurance to see your policy regarding pregnancy and you need to be aware of any infertility coverage you may or may not have in case your doctor wants to run any tests to check your fertility (progesterone etc..) I didn't find this out until I got a bill- I was so pissed!

Good luck!!

 

HeathernSteven

KSGSMU always has good advice, but I would also ask a few questions for down the road, like WHEN I get pregnant, will you require additional monitoring because I am over 35, how do you feel about over 35 pregnancies, how often would I have an u/s and perhaps if you are interested in a natural birth, what the OB feelings are, cause WHEN you get your BFP you don't want to suddenly realize yuor Ob had a completely different birthing philospy then you.

The other thing to keep in mind, OB are there to catch babies, RE are there to get you pregnant. So as someone who didn't go to the RE until 16 months into ttc because I was with the OB...I wish I hadn't wasted so much time with OB.

hooligans4

if you have more than one hospital in your area make sure you find out which one they deliver at.  everything else that was said above is great advice too but the hospital thing is big if you want to deliver at a specific hospital.

curiousmind

Thanks a ton! I bought an OPK. No smiley face today (day 8 of my cycle) but we're going to "enjoy each other" like the doc said, regardless

I'm also checking with my insurance to see what our coverage is like. Truly appreciate your pointers. 

curiousmind

Thanks! He suggested doing an FSH test on the first or second day of my cycle next month as well as an ultrasound to make sure everything looked ok structurally.

Also, he said about 60% of his patients are over 35, so he's comfortable with monitoring these pregnancies and feels natural birth is a good option for women without any medical issues.

He said to try for 3 months naturally before he does any other tests or refers me to an RE or fertility specialist. "Stay stress free and enjoy each other" -- golden words but it takes a lot to be patient

curiousmind

I have two options. Not sure which one I'd choose yet. Most friends have had a baby in one hospital (with semi-private rooms) while a LOT of people in our neighborhood choose the other hospital (with private rooms). I'll see what the other OBGYN is like ... I liked this one but the other one is affiliated to another hospital, so we'll see....

 

Thanks for your advice. Appreciate it.