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Conception

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Seeing a Dr at the start of ttc-ung

17 replies

angeltulips · 24/03/2015 09:45

Right. Am sure this thread has been done millions of times but my sub-par googling can't manage to find it, so apologies in advance.

Simple question - all the guides I've seen to starting TTC suggest you visit your doctor first. What is the actual purpose of this? Do they do tests? Or just tell you to take folic acid? And do you see a GP or an ob gyn?

Starting to think about no 2, no 1 happened so fast I didn't even get to the point of thinking about all this stuff - I came off the pill, expected it to take months and BAM.

So do people really actually go to the doctor? It seems counterintuitive to go when I'm not sick and, well, nothing has actually happened yet has it?

OP posts:
GunShotResidue · 24/03/2015 09:49

I know when I was pregnant I was told I am non immune to rubella, even though I had the MMR, and the if I had gone to them before ttc I would have had another injection.

I've had the jab since though, and was told if it still doesn't take there's no point having another one, so I dont think I'll bother to go next time either, but would be interested to see if there are other reasons to go.

GunShotResidue · 24/03/2015 10:03

I just thought, if you take any medication you should check that is safe whilst pregnant, and if not get an alternative and find out how long it takes to leave your system. I think some take 3+ months.

NoImBridgetJones · 24/03/2015 13:18

I went to the Dr's. last month, 3 months before we wanted to TTC.

They checked my bloods for general health and also for immunity against MMR etc. Like the PP, I'm not immune to Rubella despite having all my childhood immunisations.

As I'm also at Uni, my risks for rubella are slightly increased so I was advised to have the MMR jab again. This means we now can't TTC for a total of 4 months (this was my Dr's. advice - there is conflicting advice out there to research).

For me, the visit was worth it for that alone, although plenty of people have happy, healthy pregnancies and babies without a GP visit beforehand.

The Dr. also checked I was taking pre-pregnancy vitamins with folic acid, and gave general advice re. healthy eating, exercise and lifestyle.

Even if nothing else, it gave me an opportunity to ask a few things and if there had been anything else it would have come up.

I'm going back in a few weeks to see if the immunity for Rubella has taken this time. Have a couple of extra questions like certain over the counter meds/face creams etc, so It's really just an opportunity to raise any queries.

I'd also read (probably on MN) about having a dentist checkup as some procedures may be off limits during pregnancy, and because pregnancy can apparently wreck your gums.

Luckily all was well, so I just had a regular exam plus scale and polish. I think there's some research that suggests there may be some nasties in tooth plaque etc that can have some impact down the line - either way, it's nice to have them properly cleaned etc.

Having said all that, there are many, many women who have perfectly happy and healthy pregnancies without any of these pre-conception check ups so if it's not your style then I wouldn't worry about it!

angeltulips · 24/03/2015 16:04

Ah ok so it's rubella and medication. Hmmm. Might crack on with it then. Anymore for anymore?

(And I go to the dentist every 6 months anyway! No need for a special visit there :) )

OP posts:
shelleybee · 24/03/2015 18:09

I went to the dr before ttc and asked to be prescribed 5mg folic acid (I'm type 1 diabetic.) I also asked to be sent for a blood test and the dr asked why!?! Reminded her I was diabetic and was meant to have blood tests every 6 months anyway, and that it had been 9 months since the last one. Dr reluctantly printed me out a slip! Also asked for the folic acid to be added to my repeat presc and she wouldn't; said I could buy some if I ran out!
Perhaps my dr is just super lax though?!

angeltulips · 24/03/2015 18:59

Folic acid you buy otc, no? Or have I been doing it wrong - why do you need it prescribed?

OP posts:
shelleybee · 24/03/2015 19:52

Diabetics have to take a much higher dosage than usual; it can only be prescribed.

Pixa · 24/03/2015 19:55

I visit my doctor months before TTCing and was told 'Just relax, and enjoy yourself. Congratulations'...

TheSingingMonkey · 24/03/2015 20:05

I've never been told to go to the GP prior to TTC, unless you have a medical condition why would you? Just take folic acid and um....dtd!

If your bmi is high you need a higher dose of folic acid, which you can get from the GP.

I'n hypothyroid since giving birth so needed my medication changing in subsequent pregnancies but with DS1 I just took folic acid, never bothered the GP.

CaptainFabulous · 24/03/2015 20:08

Unless you've got specific medical problems, I would consider that a massive waste of an appointment that an actual ill person could have used.

If this will be DC2 you know what's involved; buy some folic acid and get going!

firsttimenewbie · 24/03/2015 20:16

I went as wanted to check on a couple of medications- he switched one I really didn't think would be an issue so glad I went. He also gave me an mmr booster even though I had all the childhood ones. Apparently they are advising them for everyone now that measles is being an issue again after the false autism scare. He didn't say anything about waiting after the booster though. Apart from that it was just general health advise- smoking drinking etc.

GunShotResidue · 24/03/2015 23:02

I wouldn't say it is a waste of an appointment. If I'd caught Rubella it could have seriously harmed DD, and I never would have forgiven myself for not going and getting checked for immunity, and consequently having the jabs.

Although that's not relevant in the OPs case as it's her second DC.

Teach3 · 25/03/2015 07:16

I mentioned ttc to a nurse at an appointment I already had for another reason. I asked about immunisations but she said as long as I had all of my vaccinations as a child/teen then I wouldn't need any checks. I did have the mmr again before uni though. No mention of doing anything else... You can ring your dr's receptionist to check that you had all your jabs if you are unsure.

GunShotResidue · 25/03/2015 10:33

I think it does vary by area, but you can ask to be checked for immunity if you are worried about it, such as if there's been outbreaks of something in the area.
If you've already had the MMR twice they probably wont give it again even if you are non-immune as the chance of it working the third time is pretty small.

angeltulips · 25/03/2015 23:29

Ok so I think I'm fine - immune to rubella and I just had a viral load blood test (thanks to unshakeable pneumonia) that showed up resistance to measles too. Folic acid under control (sorry didn't realose diabetics needed lots of it!) - sounds like I just need to (gulp) throw away my pill packet and get going! Thanks all x

OP posts:
honeysucklejasmine · 25/03/2015 23:36

Some people go to have it logged that they started on X date, so if they need to be referred it is clear whether or not they've waited long enough. Of course other people will say not to do this so you can lie about the time spent TTC and get referred quicker.

God forbid, but you should also report all cp and mc, so you qualify for treatment after three occasions. A friend was turned away after her third because she'd only reported two and they didn't believe her.

KatyN · 26/03/2015 10:05

I went to see my gp about something else and mentioned we were TTC. he checked I was on folic acid and I confirmed. I then proclaimed loudly that we were also having lots of sex and checked there was nothing else I was meant to be doing!!

I've already had one child so you'd think I'd know!!

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