What You Need Before Meeting with an Obstetrician

A 3D ultrasound taken of a fetus at 17 weeks.

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An obstetrician needs to understand you before they can help you make the best decisions for you and your baby. So, there are a few things that you need to collect before meeting the obstetrician that you found on canada 411.

The first thing you need to be certain of is that you have is your medical records. There are a few important items on them that are necessary for an obstetrician to know. You should include information on past pregnancies, miscarriages, or records of your past cycles. Also, included in your medical information are any medical conditions which change during pregnancy and need monitoring.

A listing of current medications is essential. Make certain to include all of your over the counter drugs and any herb supplements you are taking. The herbal supplements are important to list because of their exposure to your baby.

Another thing you will need is a list of the things you eat. An obstetrician will likely ask about your diet. They are checking to see if you are getting adequate nutrition.

You will also need a list of any questions or concerns that you want to bring up. Sometimes, those questions get forgotten during the meeting. Writing them down will make sure that you get answers you need before you leave the office and will save you the hassle of calling later.

Finally, don’t forget your insurance card. It is necessary to have it handy if something has changed with your insurance. Don’t expect the office to know about any changes your insurance company has made before the visit.

Preconception Care Really Is Important

DENVER - JULY 29:  Estrella Mendez, age 3, cli...
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The bottom line is this, the more healthy a woman is, the greater her chance of having a healthy baby and a quick recovery from birth. Women who are thinking of having children, to those that are actively trying to get pregnant, will benefit greatly from preconception care. Preconception care is when a woman takes control of her body before she gets pregnant, to both manage and prevent health issues that may affect the conception, pregnancy, and birth of a child. The main goal of preconception care is too screen women of childbearing age for potential risks, provide health education and promotion, and to address any identified health risks. Both women that have never been pregnant and those that are looking to become pregnant again can benefit from preconception health.

Preconception health includes looking at the lifestyle of the couple to see if there are any factors that could affect a baby inside or outside the womb. Things like drinking alcohol or doing drugs, even taking some prescription drugs, can affect a woman’s chance of conceiving, carrying, and giving birth to a baby. Preconception health is promoted by having the best medical care, safe environments, healthy behaviors, and a strong support system at home and at work.

When a woman is seeking preconception health care, several tests will be done to determine if there are any conditions or behaviors that could pose a risk to her or her baby. Existing health issues that may cause complications in the mother or child include diabetes, HIV/AIDS, hypothyroidism, Hepatitis B, Hypertension, blood diseases, eating disorders, and PKU. Medications such as blood thinners, epilepsy medication, and some acne treatments are not advisable to take at this time. And, two of the most important things a woman can do to obtain great preconception health is to stop smoking and drinking. The woman may also choose to see counselors or other health professionals to promote healthy behaviors such as good nutrition, oral health, and mental health. Having good preconception health care means managing current health conditions before pregnancy to prevent future problems during pregnancy.

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