Diet and Health FAQ

Tagged As: Pregnancy Doctor

Question:
I will be going to my md for a pre-pregnancy check up soon. Anyone have any suggestions on tests I should be considering or specific things I should be asking/telling my md as we prepare to conceive in the near future?

Answer:
Get a titre to see if you're immune to measels. That's one thing you don't want to catch while you're pregnant. At the same time, if you haven't had chicken pox, have them check your immunity, too. Get all your vaccinations up to date, the doctor can advise you which ones if you know the date of previous vaccinations. I was told by one of the doctors I saw to start on the iron and folic acid tablets as soon as we started to try to concieve. The other doctor almost laughed at me, and basically told me that only if I suspected that we may be susceptible to genetic problems, should we see a doctor first. But I think that it's much nicer to reassure yourself by asking questions, and it's a good way to sort out a doctor that's going to suit you. I agree with Sue too. Before I started trying to conceive (about 1 week before.. :) I just called the doctor I planned to use, and asked that she call me back when she had some free time. Then we discussed all the things to consider first, and my fears. Such as, vaccinations first, also, I planned to discontinue alcohol and caffeine even while trying to conceive (she liked that), we discussed my fears of having a deformed or downs syndrome, etc., baby and what my options were before, during and after pregnancy, she made some recomendations as to alternative testing that can be done and is valuable to me, she told me to start on folic acid and extra calcium/magnesium and told me that I could not go scuba diving in Mexico if I got pregnant before I went! (That one was a bummer). In all? It made me feel prepared, and like I was doing what I could in advance. I recommend it. I was very glad I bothered to have a pap smear before I got pregnant because I had some atypical cells that needed removal. It postponed my pregnancy a month or two (and I'll always wonder about those babies I didn't conceive) but I got treated, instead of testing while I was pregnant and risk losing the baby or living with potentially precancerous cells. I can't imagine a doctor telling you not to get a pre-pregnancy Actually, there are additional reasons to get a pre-pregnancy checkup. You may be susceptible to certain diseases you can pass on to your unborn baby. German measles or Rubella is incredibly infectuous. You need to get shots for it, if you're not immune, at least 4 to 6 months before getting pregnant. Planning ahead can hurdle you past the obstacles. I've had doctors tell me that I should lose wieght before I get pregnant and then I've had doctors say that there is a remote possibility that my wieght could have something to do with my irregular periods, but more likely it's something hormonal and nothing serious and to try first and then get the tests done. I tend to agree with the latter.