Things to ask your doc

[niq]

Okay this is TMI, but if you guys use condoms I would consider switching to a different form of BC and get used to having sex without the raincoat. Or just switching to the charting/rhythm/YOLO method. It's a little unexpected the first few times and the little guy might not know what to make of it...

Good luck and enjoy!

[niq]

Apr 12, 2013 11:29:13 GMT -5 spunbutterfly said:

Get both yours and your husband's TDAPs up to date. It won't hurt to get them again if you're not sure if you're due.

Also, time your  and your husband's flu shot for right before you get pregnant.

Oh yeah, that's a good one. Once you get KTFU for reals he'd have to get his TDAP, so just do it now anyway .

[picksthemusic]

Apr 12, 2013 12:01:35 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

Apr 12, 2013 11:29:13 GMT -5 spunbutterfly said:

Get both yours and your husband's TDAPs up to date. It won't hurt to get them again if you're not sure if you're due.

Also, time your  and your husband's flu shot for right before you get pregnant.

We don't currently do flu shots.  Is that recommended? 

Flu shots are always recommended, since the flu can be lethal to infants with little to no immune system.

[catbus]

Apr 12, 2013 13:14:05 GMT -5 picksthemusic said:

Apr 12, 2013 12:01:35 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

We don't currently do flu shots.  Is that recommended? 

Flu shots are always recommended, since the flu can be lethal to infants with little to no immune system.

But they probably won't do one *now* since flu season is winding down, so there's no reason to stress your immunity. 

I have no other input on the subject. I never specifically talked to my doctor about anything ahead of time. September of 2011, I was due to start another pill pack, and H and I decided over happy hour beers that I just wouldn't take the pill anymore. So I didn't. Four months later, I had a positive pregnancy test. So, yeah... 

[picksthemusic]

Apr 12, 2013 15:24:02 GMT -5 catbus said:

Apr 12, 2013 13:14:05 GMT -5 picksthemusic said:

Flu shots are always recommended, since the flu can be lethal to infants with little to no immune system.

But they probably won't do one *now* since flu season is winding down, so there's no reason to stress your immunity. 

I have no other input on the subject. I never specifically talked to my doctor about anything ahead of time. September of 2011, I was due to start another pill pack, and H and I decided over happy hour beers that I just wouldn't take the pill anymore. So I didn't. Four months later, I had a positive pregnancy test. So, yeah... 

By 'always', I mean you won't find a medical professional who would advise against getting the flu vaccine when it's available (technically you can still get one up to June 30th). But yes, it's best to get one right before flu season hits, late September or early October.

[catbus]

Apr 12, 2013 15:27:18 GMT -5 picksthemusic said:

Apr 12, 2013 15:24:02 GMT -5 catbus said:

But they probably won't do one *now* since flu season is winding down, so there's no reason to stress your immunity. 

I have no other input on the subject. I never specifically talked to my doctor about anything ahead of time. September of 2011, I was due to start another pill pack, and H and I decided over happy hour beers that I just wouldn't take the pill anymore. So I didn't. Four months later, I had a positive pregnancy test. So, yeah... 

By 'always', I mean you won't find a medical professional who would advise against getting the flu vaccine when it's available (technically you can still get one up to June 30th). But yes, it's best to get one right before flu season hits, late September or early October.

:Y: Agreed. 

[cdmay]

I think all women should read Taking Tharge of Your Fertility, regardless of their reproductive plans. Be sure to get at least 400 mcg of folic acid a day, for at least 3 months before getting pregnant. It's a good idea to check on any ongoing medical issues. My dr. recommended checking moles/birthmarks for any concerns, as pregnancy hormones can cause abnormal cells to become problematic. If you have weight to lose, now is the time. It's also a good time to look at your dietary and exercise habits and evaluation what you might want to change. Not only can this make it easier to get pregnant, you can generally continue exercise you were doing before pregnancy, but it isn't always advised (or easy) to take it up during pregnancy. Other than that, i would just ask your dr. what they recommend you consider before ttc and if they have any specific recommendations given your medical history.

[picksthemusic]

Apr 12, 2013 9:24:31 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

Okay, ladies and niq - I turn 32 in May and before then I have my annual appointment with my doctor.  It's likely that sometime in the next year H and I will start actively TTC.  So... what things should I ask about?  It's always been "in the future" in my mind but now the future isn't so far off and we've been talking a lot about making the move back to WA which would really increase my desire to start a family.  So, I guess I should get more serious about it.   

I plan to ask about prenatals and what I should be doing health-wise now to make sure I'm in the best shape possible, and I know there's a chance I might need some sort of drug like Clomid down the line (I have PCOS), but we obviously won't know until we try.  But what are things you wish you'd known/thought about/asked about before?  Or is there anything I need to worry about?

Any advice you can give is appreciated.  

I thought I had PCOS, too. But, turns out that I was just mega stressed by living with my mother and because of that, my periods were SUPER irregular and wonky. My periods returned to normal (or normalized on their own) once I moved in with J. Have you had that diagnosis confirmed by ultrasound and hormone level checks? That may be something to discuss with your OB/Gyn to make sure you really do have it, because while some OBs are quick to write a script for Clomid (mine was, even without testing me for PCOS), it's not a great drug to take unless you absolutely need to.

[picksthemusic]

I really would follow cdmay's advice and get Taking Charge of Your Fertility and give it a good read. And, especially with PCOS, it'll be really helpful for you to monitor your cycles off of BC with temping to see how your cycles really look and see if you're ovulating or not.

[cdmay]

You probably don't have to read *every* page  It just does such a great job of demystifying the menstrual cycle and is sort of a dictionary for what one's body does and what it means (for instance, temping can tell you if and when you ovulate or indicate a potential thyroid problem).