Tell me about your pre-conception visit!

[houseblend]

DH and I are thinking of TTC in a couple of months. I need to schedule an appointment with my Ob/Gyn, but I'm wondering what to expect?

What tests should she run? Anything else I need to be forewarned about for the appt.?


ETA: I also have a few questions/concerns (such as migraines). Will she take the time to answer them then, I hope?

[dlj78]

When I went to my appointment I just met with my DR. in his office and talked. He didn't do any tests or anything. I'm not sure if that is normal or not :confused:

He asked me about my cycles and I told him how long they have been and that they are regular. Then he asked about vitamins and I told him what I was taking.

At the end he told me that if we haven't gotten pregnant in a year to come see him for tests. Like I said, I'm not sure if this is normal or not, it all depends on your Dr.

Good Luck!! :D

[mimieliza]

I saw a CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife), and it was great. She talked to me for a long time about things like which meds to take, which vitamins, caffeine and alcohol usage during TTC, etc. We also talked quite a bit about my long, irregular cycles. She's going to refer me to an OB in her practice who specializes in these things after three months so that the OB can review my charts and come up with a plan of action. I feel so much better with that than the old "if it takes a year we'll refer you to an RE" thing. I have really strange cycles, it's not normal, and I want to know why, not just wait for a year before figuring it out.

Anyway, the only tests I had done was the pap, since it was time for my annual exam anyway. Other things that are important for them to have in my file are my pre-pregnancy weight and blood pressure. Plus, since I do have such irregular cycles, if I do get pg, the CNM will get me in by week 5-6 to do an ultrasound to confirm the dates for the pregnancy. Normally they wait until 10-12 weeks before the first appt and 18-20 weeks for the first ultrasound.

[katmg]

Didn't have any tests run. She was willing to answer any questions I might have had, but I forgot to ask about rubella and whether I should get my vaccine updated or checked, or whatever. Gave me a prescription for a prenatal vitamin. We talked about how I'm charting and she recommended that if we weren't pg. in 6 months to come back and talk to her.

[jeanine]

My visit was pretty brief. We talked about my cycles and starting vitamins. She did send me to the lab to get my titer checked for Rubella, and then gave me the option of getting a CF carrier test. She mentioned charting temps, but didn't seem to keen on it. I'm charting anyway, because we aren't going to actively start till Spetember, and I'm really curious about how my cycles are since I've stopped BC.

[Kopper]

My pre-TTC appointment was pretty through. I was tested for Ruebella, CF carrier, thyroid, bloodtype, and a few other things. She also gave me an precription for prenatals.

[houseblend]

Is there even any need to see my doctor before I get BFP then? It sounds like most doctors don't really do or say much. :confused:

[Kopper]

I think it depends on your doctor. Mine wanted to see me 3 months before TTCing. I also have a family history of Cystic Fibrosis, thyroid issues, diabeties and other issues so it was important for me to go before TTC. Call you doctor and they will tell you if they want you to come in or not.

[ds2003]

Unless there are genetic concerns or you have irregular cycles, I don't think a pre-TTC meeting is necessary ifyou are up to date on your annual exams. I've had irregular cycles since puberty so my ob/byn did blood work and an internal ultrasound when we decided to started TTC. She diagnosed we with PCOS. AFter 8 months I started to see a RE since my cycles were annovulatory. He did all types of test including some genetic and for STDs.

It really depends on your situation. Regardless of whether you go to a pre-TTC visit, you should start taking folic acid at the least. I recommend a over the counter prenatal vitamin.

[Tracie]

I didn't have any tests done at mine. We just talked about what things I should avoid while pregnant, my cycles, and she answered all my questions. I was glad I had one because I had some concerns (I have scoliosis) and she was able to address those.

[Kristen78]

I didn't go to my doctor for a TTC visit. I had been for my annual PAP in April. We started TTC in September. I got pregnant in February. Then I found a new OB/GYN and went for my first appointment at 8 weeks pregnant. I dont think a TTC visit is a must, unless you have questions you want to ask.

[houseblend]

Thanks everyone!

One of my concerns is that I have only seen my current OBGyn once. I'm not sure if I'm entirely comfortable with her or not, so maybe I will schedule an appointment just so I can get to know her better and be sure I want to stick with her through this.

Regarding the tests - I think I am just paranoid and want to be sure I am in tip top health before TTC. I wish there was some miracle blood test that could tell us any potential problems we might have. Someday! :D

[tunibell]

I got a annual exam and a reminder to take OTC prenatal vitamins for 3+ months and that was pretty much it.

[Scooter]

It's important that you're up to date in your Ruebella vaccination, so if you aren't or don't know, that's something to check out. If you need a shot, you have to wait 3 mos before TTC afterwards.

[Applebee]

I had my annual July 2004 and mentioned to my doc that DH and I would be TTC in the fall. He gave me a prescription for prenatal vitamins and said "Hopefully your next appt is an OB one"! I ended up calling him a couple months ago to find out our next steps since it hasn't happened. He ran the Day 3 tests (3rd day of AF) and everything came back normal. DH attempted a Sperm Analysis but that didn't go well, will have to be done again. I'm also going to call the doc next week to inquire about Clomid or something else.

[Quartercentury]

Did you have a pre-conception check-up with your doctor/ob-gyn/NP/etc. before you started TTC? What did the visit involve? Are there things you wish you would have remembered to ask about later, or things you thought were totally unnecessary?

I am a) trying to decide whether to schedule one and b) trying to think about what kind of info I might hope to gain out of such an appointment, so any information/ experiences you'd like to share would be much appreciated!! :)

[dlj78]

I had a visit back in June. I told my Dr that we were going to start TTC here is what we went over:
-was I off the pill yet? YES
-were my cycles normal? YES
-he asked how long my cycles were.
-he told me which days to BD according to my cycle length
-was I taking vitamins? YES
-told me to come back if we haven't gotten pregnant after a year of trying.

I basically knew all of this since I started charting in February. That was the extent of my appointment. I'm not sure what other doctors are like.

Good luck! :)

[cat_loverpq]

I had a pre-conception appointment with my primary dr about 3 weeks ago (I don't have an ob/gyn yet). We discussed pretty much the same things that Dana mentioned:

-how long I had been off the pill

-if my cycles were regular

-was I taking prenatal vitamins yet

-if I had a regular exercise routine

-how much caffeine I drink (I only have maybe 1 drink a day with caffeine, but for those who drink a lot of coffee/soft drinks, my dr recommended cutting back before TTC so it's not as hard on you when you actually get pg)

-how much alcohol I drink (very rarely, so not an issue)

-if I eat healthy or not

-when to BD according to my cycle

-that it can take healthy couples up to a year to get pg and you are not considered infertile until after one year of trying, blah blah blah

-we discussed my allergy medications and if I could still take them while pg

Mostly it was all stuff I knew already. I also got a tetanus shot, just in case. If something were to happen to you while pg (cut your foot on a rusty nail or whatever), they can't give you one then. I would take your vaccination records along and have the dr make sure you are current on everything. You may also need a Rubella shot, but if you get one of those you can't TTC for 3 months after getting the shot - something about how it is a "live" vaccination - but with a tetanus you can TTC anytime. I had the MMR vaccination before, so I didn't need that one. Hope that helps! :)

[Ohana]

I just asked my gyn at a regular checkup. He recommended that I stop taking the pill and not TTC for a few cycles. Also, he told me to start taking prenatals, and to practice, practice, practice.

On the tetanus shot thing, I am confused. I had one when I was pg (but didn't know it yet). I was worried and told my OB about it, and she said I would be fine, that if I wasn't up to date on my tetanus, they'd want me to get it updated before I delivered. :confused:

[Lizard]

I did not bother with a pre-TTC appointment. Especially after reading about people's visits, I didn't think he'd tell me anything I didn't already know. I'm healthy, I work out regularly, I was already taking prenatals, I don't drink or smoke, I have yearly paps, etc. I just went off BCP and started right away. Well, now we're on cycle 5 TTC, but it's not like that appt. would have gotten me pregnant sooner.

[eponymous]

I was worried and told my OB about it, and she said I would be fine, that if I wasn't up to date on my tetanus, they'd want me to get it updated before I delivered. :confused:

All those rusty nails around your hoo-hah during delivery? :eek:

[angelgirl8]

qc...fancy seeing you here!

my preconception appointment coincided with my annual check-up, so we did the following things.

discussed what birth control i was using then (see if i needed to go off the pill or anything. i didn't, as you know)!

discussing any concerns i had about my cycles (length, blood flow, pain, weird symptoms)

she told me to start a folic acid supplement, but that i could stay on my regular vitamin.

discussed my concerns about being a vegetarian and pregnant. no problem, she said.

regular pap smear and exam.

she also did a genetic screen for all the "eastern european jewish" diseases (tay sachs, etc.) and a test to make sure i was still immune to rubella.

we discussed charting briefly and what to look out for during my fertile period.

any concerns/fears i had about pregnancy itself and whether there were any fertility problems i was aware of in my family (none, mom took 1 try off the pill with both my sister and me).

i think that was it!

good luck, my dear!

[ali_ohli]

I just had mine today. My doc is reallllllly laidback. Basically, she just told me I don't need to do anything differently except stop taking birth control--no cutting back on anything, no prenatals (said my daily multivitamin is fine), no charting... nuthin'. She gave me a long lecture on NOT STRESSING OUT ABOUT IT, which in her opinion is the #1 reason healthy women have trouble getting PG. She said we could talk about doing things differently if we reach one year without a pregnancy. And that was it!

[irish74]

Mine was basically a regular yearly exam, but my doctor and I spoke about TTC. She already knew that I chart, so she said to continue or not, up to me, but since I am aware of my fertile time to take advantage of that. She wrote me an Rx for vitamins, talked about diet a bit, but not about restrictions, but we always talk about food anyway. She also talked to me about what to expect as far as the first prenatal appointment and when to call, when the 1st ultrasound would be, as well as some information on the hospital that she delivers at.

[jenji]

hmm I was planning on scheduling a pre-TTC appt for the near future, but after reading this, I don't know if I really need to. I'm off BCP, don't drink or smoke, I chart, eat pretty well, am attempting to exercise and take my vitamins.
any reason anyone could think why I would need to go?

[miaclear]

I really don't think a preconception visit is a necissity. For me it worked out great cause I was having my annual anyhow. She told me to make sure I'm taking a multivitiamin with folic acid, asked if I'd ever had the chicken pox (which I haven't) and tested to see if my german measels vaccination was still good. I'm glad I went for those two reasons but for the most part people get pregnant every day without seeing the Dr first. I wouldn't stress about making an appt but if for some reason you see a Dr soon....go ahead and ask a few questions.

[Scooter]

Sounds like you're ahead of the game. You may want to check up on your shots to make sure everything is up to date. Rubella (german measles) is the main concern, and is a quick bloodtest to check that you're still immune. Tetantus shot's a good idea too, if yours is expired, because you won't be able to get another one for awhile if you get pg.

[AmyE]

I was in Europe during annual exam time, and when I told my GYN there that we wanted to TTC in a year, he went the whole hog! LOL - totally the other end of the spectrum - blood test to check rubella, anemia, etc. Ultrasound (yep, two ovaries and a uterus, check) ....and even a mammogram. He said US docs tend to get freaked out by lumpy pregger boobs and nursing boobs, and I should have baseline to show them. I thought he was nuts - until my US regular (not gyn) doctor sent me to have a mammogram during my 5-year physical for a lump in my breast when I was BF at 8 months post partum. Umm, nursing BBs are lumpy doc.....but I went anyway and had a good laugh with the (also nursing) mammorgam tech. :D

[Tracie]

I had one about a month before TTC. I had been doing a lot of reading so I knew a lot of information already, but I had some specific concerns and questions. I have scoliosis and I was concerned about that, and I wanted to know my doc's opinion about how soon to start trying after going off the pill. I also asked questions that were specific to that practice - i.e. how they do certain things. I found it helpful overall. She asked a slew of questions to get my history and all that, and gave me some basic information.

[Heidi9771]

DH and I decided to actively start TTC this month. I guess I should have done this way before but...

I am scheduling one asap. My main concerns are 1. that I had/have endometriosis 2. If I should continue to take Celexa.

I am planning on picking up some prenatal vitamins today and a basal therm for charting.

[{b}]

My doc was pretty, well, useless.

At a regular exam, we talked about it. I said I was planning to go off BCP and wait a few months before actually trying. I was already on all the vitamins, and didn't drink more than occassionally and I have never smoked. My weight was fine.

She basically told me noithing, other than "Have fun trying, and I hope to see you in here soon with a positive HPT!" She pretty much said if we tried for over a year without a BFP, she's refer us to a specialist.

That was it! I probably wouldn't bother with a special pre-TTC visit unless you know/think there'll be complications to your getting PG.

[Inda]

I think mine was pretty similiar to everyone elses.


How long have I been off the pill?
Was my cycle regular?
Previous preganacy history?
We discussed supplements I could take
I asked about rh immunoglobulin since I am rh negative.
I requested a FSH be drawn during my next cycle (I am over 35)


That's about it. She said if I wasn't pregnant by August to come back to discuss other options.

[Heidi9771]

This week I made my appt! Couldn't get me in until June 1st, but this OB was voted the best in NH so I think she is worth the wait...plus I want to start to build a relationship with her as my new OB (current gyn is great but does not do OB.)

According to BabyCenter.com, here are some things I should be prepared to answer/be asked in the preconception visit:

Gynecological history
+ When did your last menstrual period start?
+ Are your periods regular?
+ What kind of birth control are you using now, and what kinds have you used in the past?
+ Have you ever had an abnormal Pap smear?
+ Have you or your partner ever been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection?
+ Have you ever been diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease?
+ Have you ever been tested for HIV?
+ Are you currently in a monogamous relationship?
+ Have you ever been told you have any uterine abnormalities?
+ If you were born before 1972, do you know if your mother took DES when she was pregnant with you?
+ Have you ever had any kind of gynecological surgery?
+ Have you ever been treated for infertility?


Obstetric history
NOTE: If you've ever had any complications during a pregnancy, labor, or delivery that your practitioner is unaware of, bring the related medical records with you to your checkup. + Have you ever been pregnant before? If so,
+ Have you ever had a miscarriage? If so, how many weeks pregnant were you? Did you have a D&C? Were there complications? Do you know the cause?
+ Have you ever had an ectopic pregnancy? If so, how many weeks pregnant were you? Did you have surgery?
+ Have you ever had an abortion? If so, in which trimester? Were there any complications?
+ For each child you've given birth to: What was the birth date? Place of birth? How many weeks gestation? Gender? Birth weight? What kind of delivery? Any labor or delivery complications?
+ Have you ever had preterm labor or delivery?
+ Have you ever had a cesarean section?
+ Have you ever had any pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or placental problems?


Medical history
+ Have you ever had any serious medical problems?
+ In particular, do you have diabetes, hypertension, epilepsy or other seizure disorders, kidney disease, hepatitis or other liver disease, heart disease, a clotting disorder, lung disease (including asthma), thyroid disease, cancer, or a connective tissue disease, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis?
+ Has anyone in your family ever had diabetes, hypertension, a stroke, epilepsy or other seizure disorders, kidney disease, hepatitis or other liver disease, heart disease, a clotting disorder, lung disease (including asthma), thyroid disease, cancer, or a connective tissue disease, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis?
+ Do you have any digestive problems?
+ Have you ever been hospitalized for any reason?
+ Have you ever had any operations? When and why? Have you ever had any problems with anesthesia?
+ Have you ever had a blood transfusion?
+ Are you being treated for any conditions right now?
+ What prescription or over-the-counter medications are you taking (including any herbs, vitamins, or supplements) and at what dose?
+ Are you allergic to any drugs? Any other allergies?
+ Have you been exposed to any infectious diseases? Is there anyone in your household who has (or had) hepatitis? Tuberculosis?


Vaccination history
NOTE: If you have a record of your immunizations, bring it with you to your appointment. + Have you ever had chicken pox or been vaccinated against it? + Did you complete your childhood vaccinations for measles, mumps, and rubella? Have you ever been tested for rubella immunity? + Have you ever been vaccinated against hepatitis B? + When was your last tetanus booster? + Are you planning a trip out of the country that might require other vaccines?

Emotional and social history
+ Have you ever suffered from any mental or emotional problems, including depression or eating disorders?
+ Have you ever been a victim of domestic violence? In your current relationship, do you ever feel threatened or are you physically or verbally abused? Have you ever been kicked, hit, or slapped? Have you ever been forced to have sex against your will?


Lifestyle questions
+ Do you smoke or use tobacco products, or are you exposed to second hand smoke?
+ Do you drink alcohol? How much and how often?
+ Do you use recreational drugs?
+ Do you drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages?
+ Do you see a dentist regularly?
+ Do you exercise regularly?
+ Do you have trouble maintaining a healthy weight?
+ Do you follow any particular kind of diet or have any dietary restrictions?
+ Do you eat a lot of fish?
+ Do you ever eat raw or undercooked meat, fish, or eggs?
+ Do you have any pets or do any gardening?
+ Do you regularly use hot tubs or saunas?
+ What do you do for a living? Do you or your partner live or work near any possible hazards, such as paints or solvents, pesticides, radiation (x-rays), lead, or mercury? Do you or your partner have any hobbies (such as ceramics) that might expose you to toxic substances?


Genetic screening
+ Has anyone in your family or your partner's family ever had:
— Hemophilia or other bleeding disorders?
— Tay-sachs disease?
— Blood diseases such as sickle cell anemia or thalassemia? Sickle cell trait?
— Muscular dystrophy?
— Down syndrome or mental retardation? Other developmental delays?
— Cystic fibrosis?
— Birth defects such as spina bifida or heart or kidney defects?
— Phenylketonuria (PKU)? — Huntington's chorea? + Does you partner have other children from a previous relationship? If so, do they have any problems?
+ What is your ethnic background?
+ What is your partner's ethnic background?
+ Is there anything else I haven't asked you that you think might be important?

[mili04]

I just had my annual exam last week and mentioned we might start TTC (have been seeing what happens for 9 months now). Anyway, she just asked if I was keeping myself healthy, if there were any known genetic issues in either of our families, and then gave me a prescription for prenatals. Oh, and also, she wrote an order to get blood work to check on immunizations and such, but said I didn't have to fill it if I think everything is ok. I'll probably go ahead and do it since I work at the hospital where the lab is located.

[Sami]

Does anyone know if pre-con visits are covered under regular insurance? Would I just pay my co-pay? Is this a separate visit with my regular (annual check-up) doctor? Can you tell I'm new to this all?? Ha ha...

[Asha]

it has been sooo long that i can hardly remember. basically, she did some bloodwork and also she told me that i should think about gaining some weight. i had already been off the pill for some time, so that wasn't an issue. she also encouraged me to start taking a multivitamin with folic acid.

[Heidi9771]

Does anyone know if pre-con visits are covered under regular insurance? Would I just pay my co-pay? Is this a separate visit with my regular (annual check-up) doctor? Can you tell I'm new to this all?? Ha ha...

That is a great question, actually! I would be interested in hearing about that too.

[Quartercentury]

Just wanted to follow up that I did not have a pre-conception visit, and conceived just fine. ;)

[dancn226]

You started TTC?????? Just carious how necessary this really is? Also what do you find necessary to do before TTC????

[Happy1]

I did but only because I also needed my yearly physical around that time so I did double duty. I asked all my questions while she was doing my physical.

I think it's only important if you have some major questions or some health problems to consider. The main thing my doc stressed was to start taking prenatal vitaims as soon as possible even before you TTC if you can (I just get an over the counter brand at Wal-mart that has everything a pg woman is supposed to have). That way your body is completely prepared if you should get pg. Also, make sure you are updated on your yearly physicals so if there's a problem, it can be fixed before you TTC. Once you're pg it can be dangerous if not fatal to the baby if they try to fix something then.

Once you're pg, you're not supposed to be on a diet (unless it's just eating healthy) so if you want to lose any weight, before you get pg is the time to do it. You can exercise and diet while you're TTC but once you find out you're pg, you just need to eat healthy and keep the exercise to a healthy level for pg women.

Also, read up on some books if you're not familiar with details. I really found Taking Charge of Your Fertility extremely helpful. Even though we're now going through infertility procedures (DH has some issues so he can't father children), I still find that book very helpful when I have questions as to what's going on with my body.

Nikki :D

[shimmerstar]

My experience was similar to Nikki's. It was time for my yearly exam and she asked if we were starting a family soon. She said make sure and take some kind of vitamins with folic acid. She said if prenatals make you feel sick then you can take regular vits with a folic acid supplement. They don't bother me, though.

She asked about my blood sugar being in control (I'm diabetic), and that's it. I was a little taken aback because I thought there would be more to do! My only regret is that I forgot to ask about the measles shot, but she's so weird any way she probably wouldn't have known about it. I have moved so once I'm pg I will find a different doc.

Good luck!

[dancn226]

That is why I ask this question. I just had my yearly done like a few months ago. At that time I didn't think we were ready. However, things with my job have changed, and thus, I think God's way of saying, do this now:D ! I am a dance instructor, (I teach at two different part districts). Well one fell through, and stuff like that, the one I was mostly worried about. So, I totally feel as if God is telling me something right now:D . My husband brought it up the other day as well:) . So, I want to go ahead with this, but I just had that exam, and everythign is fine. So that is why I am very carious if I need to do that.

As for dieting, my borther gets married in a month, so i have been loosing weight for that. So I feel as if I don't have to worry about that either. Pretty happy with where I am.

Any advice, I def. welcome it!

Thx

[Ericka_Jarett]

I went for my annual (had just moved to the state from cross country) and mentioned that my cycles were not normal. and talked of options and such. Things got straightened out and by the time I went for my next annual I was finally pregnant. So didn't really see them before TTC, was just annual with some questions regaring TTC. My OB said that most people don't come specificially for TTC appts, just for annuals.

[Winter Biscuit]

So didn't really see them before TTC, was just annual with some questions regaring TTC. My OB said that most people don't come specificially for TTC appts, just for annuals.

Same here. That, and I read up on charting, pregnancy, etc. and really learned as much as I could. I really believe knowledge is power :) I always had irregular cycles but was able to figure out (through charting) when I ovulated and was most likely to conceive. The first month we TTC #1, we hit a home run. We also got pregnant with baby #2 the first cycle we tried. I am convinced that it really helped to know my body and exactly what was going on.

[SweetRed]

I also mentioned the potential for TTC during my last annual. I was concerned about my irregular cycles pre-BCP. My doctor just told me to "pop those prenatals" and have fun. If we didn't see a BFP within 6 months to check back in.

[savannahgrl]

I did, but she did not tell me anything that I did not already know. I actually knew a good bit about TTC from the CC already. She basically just told me to take prenatals and folic acid. She did a full exam, but my OB ended up doing one at my first visit anyways.

[Freckles]

I had a pre-conception visit with my OBGYN. She decided to run some bloodwork{9 vials drawn in fact}, because my cycles had always been strange, and I had started my period very young{8 years of age}. It resulted in me being told to gain some weight and to stop working out as much. I ended up having the tests repeated a few months later after some weight gain, and my cycles and bloodwork still indicated that I did not ovulate. I was started on clomid w/o monitoring. It progressed from there until I was moved under the care of an RE. I am so glad that my OB was so proactive, because we have just begun our 3rd year of TTC, and I would have wasted precious time if I didn't have that appointment.

Best of luck!

[L&D Nurse]

*Subscribing* I am going in for my pre-TTC dr. visit in August.

[eli1126]

I spoke to my ob/gyn during my annual visit. She wrote a script for me to get bloodwork done, but I still haven't done it :( I know I had a tetnus in the last 10 years at my old Doctor's office, but who knows about my other immunizations. I take a prenatal, eat relatively healthy, don't smoke, etc. I have Crohn's Disease and I am somewhat worried about being sick while pg, but hopefully it won't be a factor.

Beth

[Reenie]

BUMPING to ask:

For those of you who charted before TTC, did you take your charts to show your doctor at the preconception visit?

[Ericka_Jarett]

Since my doctor requested that I chart following my daughter's passing, when I saw her at the 6 month follow up I just had down that I was Oing what seemed like the same day per my temp rise and told her how long each cycle was lasting. Since I was going to have an annual 2 months later, she said to keep up the charting until my annual and if I wasn't pregnant in that 2 months, we would take the next step. Well never got to the next step because about 8 days before my appt I got my BFP. She did my annual and also did my cultures since I was there already, so it saved me having to get them for the 1st OB appt, which was great.

[Reenie]

Thanks, Ericka_Jarett! Congrats! :)

[Sami]

BUMPING this thread...looking for more advice or stories about your visit, OR why you didn't think a special visit was necessary!

[amew]

Just had my preconception visit today. I was due for an annual anyway, and we want to start trying in the next couple months, so I didn't make a separate appointment. I told my doctor that I stopped taking the pill two months ago, and she suggested a rubella titre and cystic fibrosis screening (I did both). She also gave me a rather elementary chat that boiled down to "you are most likely to conceive in the middle of your cycle, so have sex every other day from days 10-18"--not bad advice for me given that I have pretty regular 28-29 day cycles, but certainly nothing earth shattering. Then she gave me some samples of prenatals with DHA to try (I bought some generics at Target but they don't have DHA) and a copy of something called Conceive magazine. That was about it. I think it was well worth it for rubella immunity and CF tests--I am big on peace of mind.

[DelSol]

I'm going for a preconception visit tomorrow, I have some questions rolling around in my head and I was just wondering if anybody would be willing to share any questions they asked?

[Rosebud]

I just had my preconception visit. Before meeting with the doctor, DH and I both talked to our parents about any genetic issues that may exist in the family-- any history of disases, congenital defects, etc. I asked my doctor about a couple of things related to that information. He definitely wanted to know about family history-- health of my parents and siblings, whether my grandparents were alive and if not how they had died.

I also asked about Rubella. I was immunized as a child, but I hear it doesn't always last into adulthood. He recommended finding out whether I was still immune, and if not, getting the vaccine again. The only issue there is that if you get the vaccine, you must wait 3 months before TTC. I also asked about Cystic Fibrosis, which shouldn't be an issue for us, but you might as well get tested, right? They took blood to check for a handful of things.

The dr. also talked about cycles, when to DTD in your cycle, to BD every other day during that time, etc. He said that OPKs really help if you don't have any luck in the first few months. Basically stuff you know if you read these boards and TCOYF. :) I'm already taking prenatals, but he prescribed some additional folic acid.

Overall, I felt it was really useful to have the conversation and I'm very glad I did it. It put my mind at ease about a number of things, and also gave me an indication of how interested/caring this particular doctor is and whether or not I would want to continue seeing him should I get PG.

[jenjunum]

It was time for my annual exam so I combined my pre-conception visit with that. I asked if I needed a separate visit and the receptionist didn't even know what I was talking about. :rolleyes:

I had blood work done about 2 years ago so my doctor double-checked those results to make sure I was still immune to rubella (I am). She asked me if I had gotten chicken pox before. She took some more blood to check for anemia, thyroid function and total cholesterol (my cholesterol was very low on my previous test so I didn't have to do the fasting cholesterol).

She told me not to take up any new exercise plans once becoming pregnant and to drink less, etc. I told her that I was O- and DH was A+ so she said I'd have to get a rogham shot at about 15 weeks. She also told me to come off the pill a month before we're ready to start trying and use a backup method. After my first regular period we could start trying. That was about it.