Things to Ask Your OBGYN Before TTC

You always want to make sure your body is in the best possible shape before trying to get pregnant. It’s helpful to talk with your OBGYN to see whether there’s anything you should do, or changes you should make, to prepare your body for pregnancy. Below are some great questions to ask before trying to conceive (TTC).

Am I Healthy Enough for Pregnancy?

Some medical conditions, like PCOS and endometriosis, may impact your ability to get pregnant or may increase your risk of complications. If you have a health condition that places you at a higher risk, you may need to take some extra precautions before trying to conceive.

Your doctor may suggest getting certain health conditions, like diabetes and high blood pressure, under control before TTC. You may also need to see a fertility specialist or a maternal-fetal medicine doctor so that your health and pregnancy can be more closely monitored. 

When Should I Stop Taking Birth Control?

If you’re on hormonal birth control, talk to your doctor about when to stop taking it before TTC. Depending on the type of birth control you’ve been taking, your doctor will advise you about when you’re likely to be able to conceive. You’ll also need to remove contraceptive implants or IUDs. 

It’s important to remember that you can become pregnant shortly after you stop using most forms of birth control. If you’re not quite ready to conceive, don’t stop taking birth control without using condoms.

Is My Period Regular?

When it comes to TTC, knowing your menstrual cycle is crucial. If your period is regular, it’s much easier to predict when you’ll ovulate. If your period is irregular, it becomes more difficult to predict ovulation, and may be possible that you aren’t ovulating at all. 

If your period is regular, your OBGYN can talk to you about methods to predict your fertile window so you can be sure to have sex during the time you’re most likely to conceive. Conversely, if your period is irregular, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes or treatments to help regulate your cycle. 

When Is My Fertile Window?

You only have about one week during each menstrual cycle when you’re fertile–the five days before you ovulate, the day of ovulation and the day after. Sperm live for a maximum of five days in the female reproductive tract, and are obviously essential when you ovulate in order to become pregnant.

There are multiple methods to help you predict your fertile window, and your OBGYN can recommend which method(s) you should try based on your cycle and medical history.

What Should I Look for in a Prenatal Vitamin?

It’s important to take prenatal vitamins before TTC and to continue taking them throughout your pregnancy. Getting the right amount of some vitamins is crucial to your baby’s development, and you’re also less likely to experience some pregnancy complications. 

Prenatal vitamins aren’t standardized, and ingredients and dosages can vary greatly between brands. Some women need to take higher doses of specific vitamins, including those who’ve previously had a baby with neural tube defects or who have certain medical conditions that require higher doses of folic acid. Your doctor will be able to tell you which vitamins and minerals should be included in a prenatal vitamin and what dosage you need.  

Is There Anything I Should Change Before TTC?

Many factors can impact your ability to become pregnant, your health during pregnancy, and your baby’s development. Some are less obvious than others. You no doubt know that alcohol is a no-no when you’re pregnant, but did you know that your baby can suffer lifelong effects from alcohol before you even get a positive pregnancy test? And that a multitude of factors, from your work shift to your diet can also impact your chances of conceiving? 

Medical conditions, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors may have more of an impact than you think when you’re TTC, and you should always ask your OBGYN whether there is anything you need to change before trying to conceive. You may need to exercise more, eat a healthier diet, quit smoking, or avoid certain chemicals at work. 

You may want to bring your partner along to your OBGYN appointment. Sperm health is also affected by multiple factors, and it’s important for both partners to be as healthy as possible. Your OBGYN can help you determine the necessary changes you may both need to make

What to Remember When TTC

If you’re thinking of TTC, make an appointment with your OBGYN as soon as possible, and take your list of questions! The healthier and better prepared you are before trying to conceive, the better your chances are of having a healthy pregnancy.

If you’d like to learn more about your fertility,, schedule an appointment for comprehensive fertility testing at Reproductive Health & Wellness Center with Dr. Marcus Rosencrantz in Laguna Hills, CA.