If you see a RE or other specialist...

[HoneySpider]

Do you still see your ob/gyn for regular check ups?

I don't have an ob/gyn here yet, since we moved here a few months ago I haven't had the need for one. I do have a RE and gynecological surgeon. They are both part of a larger group of doctors that includes an ob/gyn office. 

I haven't had a regular check up in 2.5? 3? years. I have, however, seen 7 or 8 doctors during that time for various TTC & pregnancy reasons. 

I got scheduled for an annual appt in April with the ob/gyn office. Part of me feels I probably should go, part of me feels like I've been poked and prodded and tested enough over the last few years that I know everything is ok. I guess more than anything it would be about establishing myself as a patient, not really the check up itself.

 

[Mushe]

Hmm, good question! I'm still in the very optimistic stage. I have my first RE appointment next week, and am due for a pap as of last month. I keep hoping I'll be pregnant soon, and they said they always do one in early pregnancy anyway. I would probably try to do a pap at least e/o year, though, since that's a different test than all of the other poking and prodding.

[oneslybookworm]

I do. I really like my gyn, and she was the one that diagnosed my cervical cancer (very early stages and I'm totally fine), so I still see her for yearly scans. I would go, if only to establish yourself as a patient for when you no longer need an RE (because this is your year, dammit!).

[King26]

Yes. My gynecologist expects me to and when I asked my RE they said I need to go every year to see my OB/GYN for an annual check up.

[ginkgoleaf]

I haven't been to the obgyn in a bit over a year, but they did a little physical and maybe the pap at the RE? I don't remember. Oops. Anyway, the main reason is because I want to change OB's, but figure I'll do that once I'm actually pregnant.

[lms]

You really only need to get a pap done every 2 or 3 years as long as you continue to get normal results. Due to my insurance I see my GP for that.

[Chrysanthemum]

When I switched REs recently, the new practice required I'd had an annual and pap within the last year. I would definitely go.

[kellikans]

I would go to establish yourself as a new patient (because you'll need one after baby) and to get a pap smear done. after that, if you've had normal results, you only need a pap every 3 years. and I feel like an annual with your gyn goes over things that your RE doesn't check, kwim? also, your RE will need to release you to a regular OB once you're pregnant, so it would be nice to know who it is.

I'm lucky in that I found a great OB/gyn who I did 2 IUI procedures with that then referred me to my RE (whom I love). so I have my OB/gyn to go back to after I get pregnant.

[july]

Yeah, you should keep the appointment to establish yourself as a patient.

[loira]

In the UK, when you're under 40 they only do a cervical smear test every 3 years so I haven't been tested in a couple of years. It's performed by the GP anyway, not a gyno. I've been poked and prodded and scanned enough this past year to assume everything else is is good working order.

[HoneySpider]

Yeah I've had a pap done within the last 3 years so my current doctors weren't concerned about that. I know different doctors feel differently about how often you should have it done.