To go to the GP for this?

[user1471496670]

I've been a long time lurker but this is my first post so be gentle!
I'm 38 years old, separated and have decided at this stage in my life I really want a baby!
My husband never wanted children but my new partner does and we're very keen to start trying while we've still got a bit of time on our side.
At my partner's suggestion I've made an appointment at the GP for next week to discuss what we need to do to prepare...folic acid etc
But....is this the done thing or will the GP look at us like we're mad? Should I just be googling such things? I'm a well educated professional but literally clueless when it comes to ttc! But obviously don't want to waste a GP appointment if it's unnecessary.

Sorry to hear about your miscarriage op. they may well monitor you more when you are pregnant, they did for me.

Agree with most posters, no need to see GP. Look at the NHS website.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/vitamins-minerals-supplements-pregnant.aspx

I would definitely see my GP or OBGYN and get a general health check. You will be seeing him/her pretty regularly so good time to establish a relationship preconception or with a midwife - which ever way you choose. Good luck !

I don't think (especially for a well educated woman with access to the Internet) that it's necessary to consult your GP. Unless you are hoping that if TTC turns out to be a bit troublesome then your visit to the GP will prove that you've been trying for a sufficient amount of time and already doing all of the things that they might suggest should you go back in a years time asking for some fertility treatment or tests.

I think that if we all went to the GP to 'check' something with them every time the Internet or a diet book or whatever told us 'before embarking on TTC/diet/exercise/alternative treatments/blah always check with your GP then GPs would be pulling their hair out with zillions of pointless appointments.

Yep, any child born whilst married is a child of the marriage and your husband would have parental rights even if he is not the father.
I still use xh's surname as we have a child together, dc2 is my new partners and has his dad's surname but in hospital had to be known by my surname (xh's surname) for security reasons. I found this really upsetting, but then our split was less amicable and the new baby was very symbolic of me moving on from a horrible controlling relationship and in my emotional postnatal haze I wasn't expecting my new baby to be known as baby xh

You won't be seeing your OBGYN pretty regularly by default, only if there are any medical reasons for it.

Of course you can see the GP. She can give you a physical, do a blood work up to check for any imbalances/deficiencies, advise on nutrition and exercise as well as prescribe folic acid. She can help you do everything to get your body in optimum baby-making shape.

Of course shagging at the right time is the most important bit but there are lots of other things you can do to give yourself the best chance.

Good luck!

Re the OBGYN - it depends if you're private or NHS. If NHS appointments are usually midwife led unless there are complications or special reasons to see a doctor. Even then you probably wouldn't see the same one for each appointment.

Mana I really don't think a GP will do a physical and bloods for someone who hasn't even started ttc. Maybe a private doctor but I'd be surprised if a normal GP did.

I would echo others. Look at your nutrition, if you can be arsed do some ovulation test thingies. I did that 6 months after trying from dc3 at 37 was reassured that I was. Took folic acid. Snagged enough! Odds hugely in your favour x

Goodness....thanks Hellooo. That's not great despite us being all very civil. Maybe time to crack on with that then.

Vitamin d is also recommended. You can get combined folic acid and vit d tablets. I got mine in boots but other places will also do it.

No I don't think the GP would do any tests at this stage.

You will need a higher dose of folic acid if there is family history of spina bifida too I believe.

I mentioned it to my GP as I was there anyway for something else and she asked if I'd come off the pill. She just gave the advice about folic acid, sex 3x a week and wished us luck! Not worth an appointment on its own.

TroysMammy Yep, definitely.

When higher dose Folic A is needed
you or your partner have a neural tube defect
you previously had a pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect
you or your partner have a family history of neural tube defects
you have diabetes
and certain medications

I think you are very sensible.

My GP wouldn't think you were wasting time. He is very thorough.
You can get your bloods checked for anaemia, folic acid advice, general health. Sorry to hear of your miscarriage. It makes it more important. Too many people rely on the Internet nowadays and some make mistakes.
It would also benefit visiting to see if this is the GP you want to be looking after you in pregnancy. Keep the appointment. Some people go with far more trivial things and it will put your mind at rest to know you are in tip top condition before TTC. I hope it goes well.

I would book a routine appt with practice nurse and make sure you are weighed so that you get the right dose of folic acid. I would also enquire about a chlamydia test if you have never had one and have ever had unprotected sex (mostly symptomless and a cause of infertility).

If generally you don't visit the gp a well woman clinic appt could be useful.

What other pp say is correct track your cycle and lots of sex during fertile
time.

Good luck op

What NerrSnerr said. Even when you're pregnant the Dr isn't that interested - they just book you in with a midwife. Ditch the pill ASAP and good luck x

I'd probably make an appointment with the practice nurse.
She can discuss preconception care; check you're Rubella immune, discus Folic Acid dose and make sure that you're smears are up to date.
Perfectly reasonable.

The GP won't be able to do much and they certainly won't do what Mana suggests, I assume she's in a different country!

However I would go anyway. I've suffer from infertility and have spent many years on various discussion boards and something which is quite common is that if you run into problems and go see your GP after trying for the recommended time for your age group they often tell you to go away and start trying for the same amount of time starting from then, when you've informed them. Apparently they get so many people who try for one month, have no luck and want fertility treatment, or get themselves in the queue 'just in case' that they want to check that they've genuinely tried without assistance. I went to see them aged 28 after 7 years of regular sex without contraception and was sent away to try for another 2 years! So it is worth telling them.

Come off the pill now, start folic acid and lose as much weight as you can because it does affect your chances.

The recommendation is to have sex every 2-3 days. You can buy ovulation kits in chemists which let you know when you have ovulated and will help you pinpoint your most fertile time.

Good luck!

Another vote for stopping the pill and cracking straight on with TTC. Women very commonly conceive almost immediately.

At 38 I personally wouldn't delay. If you have to try for 6-12 months before any medics take a serious look at you if you haven't conceived then any further referrals and tests take forever and suddenly you are in your 40s and fertility treatments become much less successful. I would start immediately and keep a close eye on your cycle to maximise your chances.

Would you be willing to phone the practice, say what the appt is for & asking if seeing the nurse would be a better option?

Has your partner also made an appt?

Good point about the rubella Tired

Not necessary to see a doctor at this stage. I think this would be a wasted GP appointment.