Your first prenatal appointment can be a bit overwhelming, especially if it’s your first baby.
There are probably many things on your mind, but by the time you get to the doctor’s office, you may be so nervous that you’ve forgotten everything you wanted to bring up.
In this article, we’ll talk about all the questions to ask when you go to your prenatal appointments so that you can do your best to ensure that you are keeping yourself and your baby healthy.
Questions to ask obgyn
Your OB/GYN is most likely not phased by anything you can come up with to ask.
Don’t worry about sounding silly or uninformed, or ignorant. When it comes to a prenatal appointment, there’s no such thing as a stupid question.
One of the best suggestions for you is to bring a list of questions to ask to your prenatal appointments. Keeping notes is a good idea because if you have a specific question, it can be helpful to your doctor to know about particular reasons you may be asking.
For example, ask, “What are the common pregnancy symptoms in the first trimester?” You may get a very vague answer.
However, if you have it written down or recorded on your phone that you had terrible nausea at four weeks gestation, you can frame the question better. “Is it common pregnancy symptom to already feel nausea? I noticed some at four weeks and it worried me a bit.”
Questions to ask at prenatal appointments
The following questions are what you may be interested in asking your obstetrician or gynecologist at your next appointment.
1. How much weight should I gain?
How much weight you gain depends on a few essential factors, such as how much you weighed before pregnancy, if you have a high-risk pregnancy, and if you have any health conditions.
For an uncomplicated pregnancy, your healthcare provider will tell many women that they gain 25-35 pounds during pregnancy if they had an average weight before becoming pregnant. However, each case is different, so be sure to ask.
You’ll most likely gain weight during the second trimester and third trimesters.
2. Can I take over-the-counter medications during pregnancy?
The ideal situation is when a pregnant woman doesn’t come down with any illnesses during pregnancy, but sometimes, it happens.
Colds, flu, and other viral infections can sometimes hit, no matter how hard we try to prevent them.
Always ask before you take any medications, as some can cause congenital disabilities, high blood pressure, and other issues.
3. What kind of prenatal vitamins should I take?
Most of us know that you should stop taking all forms of birth control and start taking prenatal vitamins daily when you become pregnant. Folic acid is essential to your diet during pregnancy.
However, there are many brands and types of prenatal vitamins out there. Ask your healthcare provider if they recommend a specific brand or variety.
4. What if my birth control was an IUD?
Be sure to let your healthcare provider know what birth control you were on before your pregnancy.
If you have an IUD or an implanted device, it’s important to let your doctor know as soon as possible so that they can plan its removal.
5. Can I have a vaginal delivery after a prior C-section?
The answer to this question largely depends upon the preference of your healthcare provider, your general reproductive health, whether you have a healthy pregnancy, and other factors.
You should discuss your birth plan with your doctor as soon as possible.
6. Why do I have pain and vaginal discharge?
If you have any pain or concerns, bring them up to your healthcare provider.
While it may seem trivial or embarrassing, telling your doctor about these symptoms can help them take care of you and other issues you may not know you have, such as pelvic inflammatory disease.
7. Based on my family history and test results, are there any issues I should worry about?
Always ask questions regarding health history and test results.
If you were tested for something at a doctor’s appointment, always ask why you are being tested, what the test is for exactly, and ask to have the results explained to you in terms that you will understand.
It doesn’t matter what sort of doctor you see, whether you need prenatal care, or what to do if you’re sexually active. Any tests that are ordered should be explained.
8. What are the symptoms of postpartum depression?
Postpartum depression, also known as the baby blues, affects many women after giving birth to their babies.
Ask about the symptoms of this mood disorder so that you and your family can better prepare and deal with it if it happens to you.
Mental health is healthcare, and it matters.
Questions to ask the gynecologist
Talk to your doctor about anything that concerns you, whether you are pregnant or not.
Your gynecologist serves many purposes, and it’s their job to answer your questions and evaluate and treat every part of your reproductive health.
Establishing care with a gynecologist before you are pregnant can give you a long period to become familiar with this healthcare professional.
You may want to ask the following general questions at your next meeting.
- When does the second trimester end?
- How long is the third trimester?
- How do you determine a due date?
- How far past my due date will you allow me to stay pregnant before an induction?
- How long will I have morning sickness?
- Is there anything that can be done for irregular periods?
- When can I tour the labor and delivery floor of the hospital?
- What is considered an unusual discharge?
- What can I do to improve my overall health during pregnancy?
- Can I elect to have a c-section?
- Are soft cheeses and lunch meat bad to eat during pregnancy?
- How can I increase my sex drive?
- Can I exercise during pregnancy?
- How long until my next visit?
- What do I do if my water breaks at home?
- Do you have any specific dietary recommendations?
- When can I expect to have ultrasounds?
- Is there any risk to my pregnancy with my job?
- Do any of my current medical conditions make pregnancy harder to achieve?
- What pain management options will I have during labor?
- Can I have sex during pregnancy?
- Is there breastfeeding help or teaching through this doctor’s group or network?
Talking to your OB/GYN
Answers you get to any of these questions from your OB/GYN will vary based on the doctor you speak with.
Women must understand that it’s typical to have questions, whether you never plan to have a baby or are planning your sixth baby.
Good communication with your healthcare provider, expressing concerns, and asking questions are essential.
You are your own health advocate in life.
It’s important to be open and honest about your concerns and questions and always answer their queries honestly and thoroughly to get the most out of your OB-GYN.
Your OBGYN isn’t there to judge your life or decide what is and isn’t a normal lifestyle. They will help you and your baby through pregnancy, labor, and delivery.