Pre conception medical check

[Libby2020]

Hi all,

Just wondering how important is pre conception appointment? Is it a very basic appointment or do you think it's necessary? I have no medical conditions, am a healthy weight etc, have not yet tried to conceive and have just started taking pre natal vitamins.

What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks a lot
Libby

I haven't had one and tbh I don't think I know anyone else that has either. I think they might be good if you have pre existing conditions or don't have a clue what you're doing.

Not really something I’ve heard of happening in my surgery. People only generally book if they are concerned how a pregnancy would affect any pre existing conditions/they need to discuss a change of medication because whatever they are already on can affect a baby or if they have been trying for several months with no joy (although in my area they wouldn’t do any referral for investigation until TTC for a year)

I don't think it's a think here (the UK) but a few books ie what to expect before you're expecting that I read talked about these; I think it's an American thing

Thanks a million everyone, was wondering how important it was!

I'm in the UK and booked to see GP before conceiving. I 'assumed' it was the done thing to check my vaccinations were up to date (especially rubella), check if DH needed any vaccines like whopping cough, get pre-conception info, check BP/weight etc.

GP seemed surprised and did nothing at all! Said to start folic acid and eat healthy

If nothing else, it helped me prove that we had indeed been TTC since that time and had a definitive date on their system!