Pre-conception Doctors Visit Questions

Most woman don't go to the doctor before they attempt to conceive children.  They take a home pregnancy test, get a positive result, and then wait 2-4 weeks before the doctor is able to see them around 8-12 weeks.  I did this in my last two pregnancies, but before I try again for a third pregnancy I want to get a pre-conception checkup and ask the doctor a few questions before we try again to conceive.  I'm going back to the OB/GYN that delivered Brielle and I have a few questions to ask him during my visit.  I'm nervous about going back to the same office I spent monthly at in 2012 and the beginning of 2013 because it brings so many memories of hearing Brandon Jr's heartbeat and seeing Brielle for the first time on ultrasound. 

      Brandon Jr.  28 weeks gestation 

I'm not sure I can emotionally handle getting treated there during another pregnancy and hoping for a different outcome. The goal of my visit is to get a clean bill of health and to get a referral for exclusively seeing the high risk specialists during my next pregnancy.  There are so many pre-conception questions I plan to ask my OB/GYN and I have narrowed it down to 10 questions based on my past history, diagnosis from my 2nd trimester miscarriage, and age.  Below is the list of questions I plan on asking not in any particular order. 

1. Do I have low progesterone levels?  Will I have to get shots when I get pregnant? 

2. Am I healthy enough to carry a baby full term without complications?  Do I have hbp issues? 

3. Do I need to loose more weight?  

4. I haven't stopped taking prenatal vitamins is this okay?

5. Should I use an ovulation test to better predict getting pregnant?  Will I have trouble getting pregnant? 

6. Can you refer me to a high risk specialized OB/GYN when I get pregnant?  

7.  When I get pregnant will I be sent for more frequent ultrasounds? Will my prenatal visits be scheduled at more frequent intervals? Will my delivery be handled in a different manner? Different hospital? 

8.  Will I have to get a cerclage?  When 12-14 weeks?  Will I end up on bed rest? How long will I be on bed rest? 

9.  Do I need additional genetic testing? 

10.  Is one loss related to the other?

There are some others that I may ask depending on his answers, and my goal is to walk out with a referral to the high risk specialist downtown when we get pregnant.

Have you had trouble conceiving?  Have you had complications having healthy children?  Did you change doctors? Why? 

Keep the Faith! 

Until next time,

~E