24th Apr 2024
Planning a pregnancy comes with so many emotions. You’re likely feeling excited and maybe a little nervous. There’s so much information online about conception and fertility, so you might also be feeling a little confused about what to do before trying to get pregnant.
That is where your gynecologist comes in. It’s helpful to know which questions to ask your OB-GYN before getting pregnant to help you be as informed as possible. Here are some critical preconception appointment questions to help you get started.
Should I See an OB-GYN Before Getting Pregnant?
As part of your family planning, you might wonder what doctor to see when trying to get pregnant. An OB-GYN is a doctor who specializes in pregnancy, childbirth, and other aspects of female reproduction.
You can start seeing an OB-GYN at any point in your fertility journey. Even if you don’t plan to get pregnant in the near future, an OB-GYN can help you prepare for future pregnancies and address any fertility concerns you may have. When you’re actively trying to conceive, an OB-GYN will provide critical health guidance for both partners and address any fertility issues that may arise.
Making a preconception appointment also allows you to build a relationship with your doctor early. You can also bring a list of questions to ask an OB-GYN before getting pregnant. That can help you feel more comfortable at future appointments later in your pregnancy.
Your OB-GYN will take a complete health history and discuss your pregnancy goals during this appointment. That will help them provide more personalized support and develop a health plan appropriate for your needs. It is also the perfect time to ask all of your questions and discuss any fertility concerns in-depth.
7 Questions to Ask Your Gynecologist When Trying to Get Pregnant
Here are some top questions to ask your OB-GYN before getting pregnant. Note that these questions are just a starting point. You can customize your questions based on your individual concerns.
1. When am I most fertile?
Your fertility levels fluctuate throughout the month based on your menstrual cycle. You’ll be most fertile around the time of ovulation1, while you’ll be least fertile during your menstrual period.
However, everyone’s menstrual cycle is different. While the average cycle is 28 days, some people have cycles as short as 23 days or as long as 35 days2, which will affect when you ovulate. So, how can your OB-GYN help you get pregnant? They will discuss your menstrual history to help you determine which days you are most fertile. They can also help you track your menstrual cycle for more effective family planning.
2. When should I stop taking birth control?
If you’re currently taking birth control, you’ll need to stop before trying to get pregnant. Your OB-GYN can help you put together a plan for this based on the type of birth control you’re currently taking.
For example, if you currently have an IUD or an arm implant, you’ll need to have it removed by a doctor before you can conceive. If you are currently taking the pill or getting birth control shots, you’ll need to plan to stop taking these medications well before trying to get pregnant. That ensures that the birth control hormones are out of your system before trying to conceive.
If you’re on the pill, you should be able to conceive shortly after stopping birth control. Studies have indicated that conception happens for most women within 2 to 6 months after stopping the pill3. Conception times are similar for those coming off of IUDs4. However, if you’re currently getting the Depo-Provera shot, it takes much longer for the hormones to leave your system. On average, it takes 5.5 months for women to conceive after going off the shot5.
3. Should I take prenatal vitamins or supplements?
Prenatal vitamins and supplements support both you and your growing baby during pregnancy. However, they can also help you during the preconception phase, as taking them early can help reduce the risk of birth defects6.
Due to these benefits, many OB-GYNs recommend taking prenatal supplements two to three months before conception. Your doctor will help you determine the right type and dose of supplements.
4. Do I need to adjust any of my medications?
Certain medications could affect your fertility. For example, some SSRIs can affect your chances of ovulating7. Your OB-GYN will assess your and your partner's medications and recommend necessary adjustments or alternatives.
5. What lifestyle changes will increase my fertility?
During your appointment, you must talk to your doctor about your current lifestyle, diet, exercise routines, sleep patterns, and stress levels. They will let you know if any lifestyle changes could benefit you as you try to get pregnant.
6. Should I take any fertility tests?
Can you go to your OB-GYN for fertility? The answer is yes; your OB-GYN can help you if you’re struggling with fertility. They may recommend fertility tests for you or your partner to help identify the problem and find viable solutions.
That is also the perfect opportunity to find questions to ask OB-GYN about infertility. For example, if you’re worried about factors like your family history or comorbid health conditions, your OB-GYN can help address those concerns.
7. Do I need any vaccinations before pregnancy?
It’s essential to ensure you’re up-to-date on your vaccinations before getting pregnant8. This will help protect you and your baby from potentially life-threatening health conditions. Your gynecologist will review your vaccine history and let you know if there are any new ones you should get before conception.
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Knowing which questions to ask your gynecologist when trying to get pregnant can help you be more informed during this exciting time in your life. If you’re looking to boost your fertility and prepare for pregnancy, try FertilitySmart supplements to optimize fertility and reproductive health. Our fertility supplements for women use natural ingredients to support a healthy reproductive system.
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Citations:
1 Wilcox, Allen J, et al. “The Timing of the “Fertile Window” in the Menstrual Cycle: Day Specific Estimates from a Prospective Study.” BMJ : British Medical Journal, vol. 321, no. 7271, 18 Nov. 2000, pp. 1259–1262, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC27529/.
2 NHS. “Periods and Fertility in the Menstrual Cycle - Periods.” NHS, 5 Aug. 2019, www.nhs.uk/conditions/periods/fertility-in-the-menstrual-cycle/.
3 Mikkelsen, E. M., et al. “Pre-Gravid Oral Contraceptive Use and Time to Pregnancy: A Danish Prospective Cohort Study.” Human Reproduction, vol. 28, no. 5, 20 Feb. 2013, pp. 1398–1405, academic.oup.com/humrep/article/28/5/1398/940795, https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/det023.
4 Girum, Tadele, and Abebaw Wasie. “Return of Fertility after Discontinuation of Contraception: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Contraception and Reproductive Medicine, vol. 3, no. 1, 23 July 2018, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40834-018-0064-y.
5 Pardthaisong, Tieng, et al. “RETURN of FERTILITY after DISCONTINUATION of DEPOT MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE and INTRA-UTERINE DEVICES in NORTHERN THAILAND.” The Lancet, vol. 315, no. 8167, Mar. 1980, pp. 509–512, https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(80)92765-8. Accessed 9 Feb. 2020.
6 Al-Gailani, Salim. “Making Birth Defects “Preventable”: Pre-Conceptional Vitamin Supplements and the Politics of Risk Reduction.” Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part C: Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, vol. 47, Sept. 2014, pp. 278–289, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4275593/, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shpsc.2013.10.009.
7 Casilla-Lennon, Marianne M., et al. “The Effect of Antidepressants on Fertility.” American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, vol. 215, no. 3, 1 Sept. 2016, pp. 314.e1–314.e5, www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(16)00220-9/fulltext, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2016.01.170.
8 CDC. “Vaccines before Pregnancy.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 Dec. 2019, www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pregnancy/vacc-before.html.