Preconception appointment (Drs, UK)

[KerryGold]

I'm making an appointment to see my GP for in a month for a general chat and checkup. Has anyone here had one? Did you just walk in and go "I'm planning to try!" What happened?

What should I do?!

xXx

 

[silverbell]

I'm glad you asked this - I would be very interested to know too. It seems more the norm for this to occur in the US, but not something I'd heard of here, although I certainly will be going myself.

I assume they'll do a general health check to see if there are any areas you can improve upon and perhaps take a brief family history. I imagine they'd test your BP and maybe do some routine bloods if they felt it necessary. Probably take a smear if one is due. I think they also give you a form to get a blood test for Rubella immunity, as this can wear off over time and can be fatal to a baby.

I guess they'd also just give some general advice with regards to TTC, although after a few weeks on this site I'm pretty sure I know more than she could possibly tell me!

Would be very interested to hear from any that have been and what happened.

 

[R&G2007]

Me and my husband made an appointment with our doctor after we had tried to concieve for over a year but were unsuccessful, we had a discussion with him about any problems or medical histories in both families and then he sent me for blood tests, Smear and a internal ultrascan and my hubby had to have give a sperm sample for testing after the reults came back he told us to try for a further 6 months and then we were to return and if nothing had happened he would refer us to a fertility specialist. which is where we are now.

Hope this helps

Gem

 

[AmeliePoulain]

I went for a pre TTC appointment with my GP in december - as it was 6 months before we are planning on TTC.

I did literally just sit down and say - "me and my husband have decided we want to try for a baby next year".

She gave me advice on folic acid, pre natal vitamins etc and just recommended I started taking them ASAP.

I also got my rubella immunity checked and I asked if I should have a smear test etc.

She gave basic advice on ovulation and when to try (but if you are on this website you are probably pretty clued up!!!)

Oh and she asked about me and DH's general health etc...

 

[Missi]

It seems there are no 'hard and fast' rules on this as I discovered last November. I phoned my GP surgery and told them that some of my friends had made appointments in nearby GP practices to discuss TTC before they had started trying. My surgery just said that it was not necessary and I should make an appointment if I didn't get pg.

It seems that it depends on the GP practice! Hope this helps in some way x

 

[Amygdala]

Hi Kerry!

Have you had her appointment yet? How did it go? What did they check/talk about?

 

[plutosblue]

I went into my doctors for something else (check up regarding my blood results) and anxiously just blurted it out.

She was lovely, she advised me on folic acid and said to take it approx 3 months before, just told me to put on weight and feel well in myself (which I have done) she advised me that a multi vit wouldn't hurt and tested me for rubella (which was all clear).

I go back the end of this month to let her know about my cycles (I am not having periods) but apart from that its all good, my GP actually told me it was nice I was telling her as some don't and then its too late to advise anything or test for rubella. I think she thought people were scared (well seeing doctors and telling them that is a little!)

I think it depends on the GP but mine was very happy I told her about it.

 

[beccad]

I'm going to see my doctor in the next few weeks about this very subject. I've already started taking the folic acid and so on, but everyone I've talked to said i should get my rubella immunity checked out and so on.

 

[24/7]

I will be making an appointment when my time comes!!
I want to check the folic acid dose due to my coeliac disease as it apparently needs to be increased and so I can ask for any other tests I can.

 

[KerryGold]

Hey all! Thanks for your messages. I'm not actually going yet. I plan to call and make the appointment in March.
xXx

 

[Damita]

That's interesting I think I will go and have pre-appointment in the next couple of months

 

[calm]

Mr Doctor (In Spain) knows that I will TTC some time in the future, so when she did other blood tests she looked up other things like Rubeolla, toxoplasmosis. I suppose it not only depends on the country you are in, but on the GP.

Good luck when you go ! X

 

[MollyandLola]

Hi! I had an appoinment with my GP last week to have my coil removed. He didnt seem too concerned with doing a pre-conception check up. He just told me to start taking folic acid and to go back once I had a positive pregnany test. I think it just depends on the doctor.

Good luck!

 

[pumpkim]

I told my Doctor when I went for my last supply of BCP, I told her I only wanted 6 months worth as I planned to stop at that point and TTC. She gave me lots of literature on pre-preg health and told me to make an appointment nearer the time for a blood test and health check. She also advised it was never too soon to start folic acid so I've been taking it now since Jan. She was really helpful and I'm glad I did speak to her about it

 

[mushmouth]

well I brought it up with my doc today, and all he said after telling me my weight was fine for a bubwas "give it a go, if it doesn't work - come back to me" didn't even mention Folic acid, just said i was young, healthy and could see no reason why not...

 

[babybump2010]

I asked my nurse about this today as i went to get a perscription for my BCP. She advised me to go to the local family planning clinic as they would be able to offer me more advice so i have hunted down the number and shall make an appointment soon!!!
Will let you know how it goes!!

 

[Tulip]

well I brought it up with my doc today, and all he said after telling me my weight was fine for a bubwas "give it a go, if it doesn't work - come back to me" didn't even mention Folic acid, just said i was young, healthy and could see no reason why not...

Oooh I feel the need to smack your GP!

 

[mushmouth]

well I brought it up with my doc today, and all he said after telling me my weight was fine for a bubwas "give it a go, if it doesn't work - come back to me" didn't even mention Folic acid, just said i was young, healthy and could see no reason why not...

Oooh I feel the need to smack your GP!

thank goodness for you girls on here eh??? Imagine the problems I could face! I think I might try the family planning clinic too - hmmm

 

[Amygdala]

well I brought it up with my doc today, and all he said after telling me my weight was fine for a bubwas "give it a go, if it doesn't work - come back to me" didn't even mention Folic acid, just said i was young, healthy and could see no reason why not...

Oooh I feel the need to smack your GP!

I second that. Completely irresponsible! No mention of rubella either? I've actually asked to be tested and the nurse told me to come back when I'm pregnant. I said isn't that a little late because you can have a rubella vaccination in pregnancy and only after checking this with the doctor (!!!) did she agree to take my blood for a test. GP practise as well...

So what do they do at the family planning clinic? I always thought those were solely for avoiding babies, not acually planning them?

 

[mushmouth]

I looked it up last night, and the have "pre-conception advice" as well as everything for preventing a pregnancy.

https://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/839.aspx?CategoryID=54&SubCategoryID=138

no mention or rubella, but I do have my MMR booster on monday anyway... seriously makes you wonder!