Pre-Natal Vitamins & Pre-conception GP Appointment?

[meggles]

we'll be TTC in June 09. Two questions:

1- PreNatal Vitamins. How early should I start them? Should I take the folic acid only supplement or complete pre-natal?

2- Should I see GP b/f TTC? The only reason I can figure is for Rubella Titre. Right? I get the impression that my GP would think I'm wasting their time.

(We're both healthy, except for my hypothyroidism which has been stable for 10+ years)

I don't think an NHS GP will test for Rubella immunity. There's no real need to see a GP before starting.

Pre-natal vits - some experts recommend taking them for 3 months before you start ttc (but then they also recommend a regime of no alcohol, careful diet, no toxins, no fun etc for the same period). I would take a complete pre-natal and not just folic acid. Personally I rate the Zita West ones, even if they do turn my wee alarmingly green...

I went and saw my GP pre conception and TBH she didn't really say anything more than common sense - ie take folic acid (I took pregnacare - 3for 2 at Boots!), give up smoking (which I wasn't anyhow), alcohol, and in my case try and lose a bit of weight before conceiving. I had already had a rubella check as part of an occ health thing but in any case I am pretty sure this is one of the first tests they do when you are pregnant.
Might be worth going re your existing condition - unless you already know that it is not affected by pregnancy.
Good luck !

Thanks everyone- i'll most likely purchase prenatals in the US as it's cheaper (i'm there once a month)

i realize this is different for everyone- but I've been on the pill/patch for 10+ years. i was thinking of going off 2 or 3 months b/f trying. long enough for my cycles to reestablish? (i can't remember if i had a regular cycle b/f hormonal BC)

I went to see my GP for a pre-conception discussion. She did a smear test, took blood (to test immunity for Ruebella, tetanus, toxoplasmosis and various other things). Then after the results, I did a "boostrix" jab - for tetanus, whooping cough and diptheria. She also gave me a prescription for folic acid tablets, which I've been taking every since

However, I live in Belgium, where we have to pay for all medical stuff and then get reimbursed 85% afterwards. So, GP's never tend to think you're wasting their time. Not sure what it'd be like in the UK.

I saw GP pre-conception and got a healthy eating chat, folic acid advice etc. Nothing unexpected, but I had previous health issues I wanted to discuss. Also tested for rubella immunity. I took Pregnacare for a month before trying and conceived first go.

As important though is the man's contribution as it takes at least 72 days to make a sperm, so we both went on a 3 month detox - no alchol, caffeine etc and lots of fresh veg.

I'm a GP and we are happy to see people for preconception counselling and we would certainly do rubella titres and organise MMR if needed (we live in a low uptake area for MMR so we do have rubella outbreaks). It's not rocket science - we talk about occupational risk, food, meds, alcohol, folic acid etc. But certainly not a waste of a GP's time.

Thanks for all the responses- 3 months b/f is a good time to see GP?