Questions you're asking your provider

pawcall · April 2017

I always feel like a derelict mother who is questionless at every appt. Curious to know what folks are asking/curious about (so I can steal those Q's and look like a better pregnant lady).

kissthesky32 · April 2017

I also go in with basically no questions.

I have one for my appt next week, but it's my craziness that's come up with it, it's not a question anyone should really have to ask. (I know the answer, but I can't NOT ask it.)

pawcall · April 2017

At my next appt I plan to ask:

- recommendations for migraine relief? Tylenol not helping and a migraine takes me down for 3-4 days each time, several times a month. Can't eat, barely keep liquids down, what can I do??

- heating pad - ok to use and any guidelines around heat level or time limit? I have bad back pain due to a spinal defect and obviously can't take my painkillers or use my TENS

DuchessOfCambridge · April 2017

I asked a ton at my last appointment just about how to minimize the risk of spina bifida (all the folic acid) and if the fact that DH has Type I diabetes means I need to do anything different (no), genetic testing questions and questions about epidurals and other first time pregnant lady things. I usually think up questions while I'm there as we're speaking, but keep notes in my phone if I remember ahead of time. All I have right now is the probability of getting cholasma and if she has a recommended sunblock.

Guys, I'm terrified of cholasma. Because I'm vain and don't want it.

emucoleman · April 2017

Haha. I think OBs love pregnant women with no questions!

I asked my OB her opinion on my travel plans with baby and how she feels about natural births. My DH asked about the hospital and whether I will labor and deliver in the same room. As time goes on I'll ask more questions about the birth itself, but i think it'll be more useful to me to ask those questions later on.

pawcall · April 2017

My OB's office paperwork suggests I do my hospital tour in the first or second tri. FIRST TRI? Serious?

i digress - having toured before (years ago) I know I'll get any hospital specific questions answered there.

ElizabethSchuyler · April 2017

I only ask questions if I don't like what the internet has to say.

ElizabethSchuyler · April 2017

But really, unless there's an issue or something going on, I go on my merry way.

MississippiCatfish · April 2017

I have lots of questions about exercise for my next appointment. Do I really need to worry about my heart rate? Doing ab work? I don't think my abs are separated - are they? No twisting in yoga even if it's comfortable? Why? If I watch my diet and exercise (I never have in pregnancy, really) how different can I expect my weight gain to be this time? This is new territory for me and I don't want to take google extremes about exercise no-no's as excuses! I've lost the weight with every baby (45-60 lb), but it definitely came off much more quickly when it was 45 than 60. I'm wondering if it's reasonable to expect 40? Less? Don't hope for less than 45?

I also want to discuss whether or not I'll choose another waterbirth. At my last appt, my doctor said, "You still hold the record! Only woman to give birth with contractions 8 minutes apart!" I knew it felt like it dragged on forever - that is apparently why! I LOVE the water for laboring, but I can't think of any real benefits I experienced by delivering baby in the water, and I'd like to hear what he has to say. I suspect that the water slowed everything down that much. (He became WB certified for me, and we have a great relationship, so I'm a little nervous to crush his hopes!)

That sounds like a lot! I'll make it up for it by probably not asking another question for the next several appointments, though.

jess0211 · April 2017

@ElizabethSchuyler I literally lol'd at your response.

I only really plan to ask about a few things related directly to coming off some of my meds and confirm what I can take for constipation. Oh and if I can expect anything different in my care bc I am AMA.

pawcall · April 2017

jess0211 said:

@ElizabethSchuyler I literally lol'd at your response.

I only really plan to ask about a few things related directly to coming off some of my meds and confirm what I can take for constipation. Oh and if I can expect anything different in my care bc I am AMA.

Colace!

ariasbabyblog · April 2017

I don't usually go in with any questions, just ask what pops into my head while I'm there. I also usually ask DH if he wants me to ask anything, but he never thinks of anything.

DuchessOfCambridge · April 2017

@pawcall @jess0211 I just bought Colace today. I'm going to wait to take it until after my next appointment. Guys why am I scared to take a medicine that everyone, including many medical people, has told me is ok? I'm usually all about medicine and listening to doctors. What changed??

lancomechica2 · April 2017

I'm going to ask for bigger guns for this constipation. Colace ain't cutting it.

jess0211 · April 2017

@DuchessOfCambridge I called my doctor and they told me to take colace as did my friend who is a doctor. That said, I am asking at my appt. how often/how much is okay and if it gets worse what my other options are.

kyersten · April 2017

I need to ask about flea prevention for our pets. I see conflicting info online and need to know what's safe to use while I'm pregnant.

08-16-08jms · April 2017

I'm going to ask when the latest I can fly is.

jess0211 · April 2017

Also asking what I can take for headaches b/c the nurse said no Tylenol but that makes me wonder what options i do have.

baby3forme · April 2017

jess0211 said:

Also asking what I can take for headaches b/c the nurse said no Tylenol but that makes me wonder what options i do have.

Tylenol is allowed.

jess0211 · April 2017

@baby3forme for some reason my ob's office doesn't allow it. Not sure why.I am going to ask for more info. on Tuesday.

kaitlinliz · April 2017

@jess0211 it's a category c, there's been proof it's caused complications. I think it's relatively new that this was found out. So it's really up to the Dr and how their patient is if they're gonna allow it or not. I haven't taken any because of its not 100% OK.

I'll be asking about my meds - I have fibromyalgia and haven't taken meds since we started trying and my meds are a category x so that's a definite no no. Also about flying - I have a trip in June that is already paid for. And about a previous surgery I had to see if I'm considered high risk or not.

cmessamore · April 2017

@jess0211 Tylenol is the only pain reliever that my OB allows. Though, they are cautious about how much and how frequently you take it.

I have a few very specific questions about my epilepsy and my incompetent cervix (gosh, I hate that term-makes my cervix sound "dumb" lol) but no real general questions.

froggy994 · April 2017

3rd time around I don't have a lot of questions and feel like I should be asking more. My doctor is always like what questions do you have...and I stare at her or think of something usually dumb.

I did ask at my last visit if I need to be worried about zika. Answer was no since I don't live or plan to travel to a Zika area and we can use big spray with deet.

DuchessOfCambridge · April 2017

@jess0211 my OB also says Tylenol is fine. I only took it when I had my really awful cramps and even then it was only when I couldn't tolerate the pain and needed it slightly dulled. Honestly I wouldn't even bother taking it for my migraines because I know it wouldn't do anything.

cmessamore · April 2017

@DuchessOfCambridge it doesn't help me either for migraines, but I have taken it in other pregnancies when I've had them, in hopes that it would dull the pain a bit. The only thing that helps me is excedrin, dark rooms, and a heat pack on my head/neck

am+mommy · April 2017

@pawcall I use Doterra peppermint oil for headaches. Works wonders for me.

kwaldy · April 2017

Only question: can I get some more medicine for this nausea/vomiting?

deemariec · April 2017

Im kinda in the same boat as most on here, I feel like I should ask more questions but from my online info searching to reading of all the baby books I don't really ask any, also I'm shy when it comes to talking to new people and I've only seen the doc twice so it makes me a bit uncomfortable to ask. My DH ask questions at every visit some are on things we have talk about and some on things he's curious about, I think its cute and sweet but sometimes wish he'd talk with me before asking some of the questions.

kalenp · April 2017

pawcall You might be able to use your TENS depending on where you use it... I had that as an option available to me during labor to distract from the back pain. Good question for your OB.

pawcall · April 2017

kalenp said:

pawcall You might be able to use your TENS depending on where you use it... I had that as an option available to me during labor to distract from the back pain. Good question for your OB.

I'll definitely ask again but last time around it was a definite no for my lower back because of proximity to the baby's heart. Seems a little crazy to me since my lower back isn't really where I'm keeping my fetus...

av2323 · April 2017

I had a ton of questions for my first appointment. I asked about my chances of going into preterm labor with this baby (DS was born at 36W6D). I developed postpartum preeclampsia so I asked if the spike in blood pressure could be related to my natural, adrenaline filled birth. I asked about risks with my higher age (I am 37 now, will be 38 when she arrives). I also asked about our trip to Michigan this summer, deet bug spray, and lifting my toddler. I can't think of a single question to ask at Tuesday's appointment.

ineedsixeggs · April 2017

I'm following this thread because I'm the same way! Most of my burning questions are related to delivery though (I had some complications with my first) so I'll probably save those for third tri.

MississippiCatfish · April 2017

pawcall said:

kalenp said:

pawcall You might be able to use your TENS depending on where you use it... I had that as an option available to me during labor to distract from the back pain. Good question for your OB.

I'll definitely ask again but last time around it was a definite no for my lower back because of proximity to the baby's heart. Seems a little crazy to me since my lower back isn't really where I'm keeping my fetus...

That's funny, because I thought that was exactly where they used it for back labor?

Disclaimer: I'm an RN but I'm just chiming in out of curiosity and admittedly have very limited knowledge of TENs units. I 100% trust that if you were told that, it's right in your situation, it's just odd how different things can be sometimes. @kalenp did you use it for labor? I've always been so curious about its effectiveness.

BayCamp · April 2017

I go to a super crunchy midwife practice so unless something is terribly out of whack I don't get any meds for anything. I was reading through the handbook they gave me for something to do about this terrible headache and came across the page about the GD test. I fit in to a few of the risk factor categories so part of the protocol is avoiding refined sugar, processed food, and white carbs for a week prior to the test.

I'm planning to ask if they are joking.

av2323 · April 2017

@BayCamp That made me giggle.

pawcall · April 2017

MississippiCatfish said:

pawcall said:

kalenp said:

pawcall You might be able to use your TENS depending on where you use it... I had that as an option available to me during labor to distract from the back pain. Good question for your OB.

I'll definitely ask again but last time around it was a definite no for my lower back because of proximity to the baby's heart. Seems a little crazy to me since my lower back isn't really where I'm keeping my fetus...

That's funny, because I thought that was exactly where they used it for back labor?

Disclaimer: I'm an RN but I'm just chiming in out of curiosity and admittedly have very limited knowledge of TENs units. I 100% trust that if you were told that, it's right in your situation, it's just odd how different things can be sometimes. @kalenp did you use it for labor? I've always been so curious about its effectiveness.

Yeah it seems crazy to me. But I also wonder about whether there's a difference using it once (the day you're in labor) vs regularly during pregnancy? I'm definitely going to ask again

liz4382 · April 2017

@am+mommy @pawcall be careful with peppermint oil. It isn't recommended during pregnancy as it can trigger menstruation and contractions.

jess0211 · April 2017

@am+mommy I love peppermint oil but as @liz4382 mentioned it isn't recommended for pregnancy. I actually stopped using all my oils except the lemon I put in my homemade cleaning solution.

safinn21 · April 2017

@MississippiCatfish I have similar questions regarding exercise! I've been avoiding crunches and planks during my workouts but then someone at work told me that's fine and actually good for you. So much conflicting information!

jess0211 · April 2017

@safinn21 my friend sent me a journal article about when to stop planks and of course I can't find it now! But she's visiting tomorrow and I am pretty sure she'll remember (she's a family practice doc who has to treat pregnant women sometimes so she keeps up-to-date on all the prenatal stuff), I'll ask her and post tomorrow.

safinn21 · April 2017

@jess0211 that would be awesome! If I could help my now pudgy core out for a few more weeks I'd love it!

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