pre-conception physical

[JennyClaire]

DH and I are considering beginning a last child in the next few months (already have an amazing 14-yr-old DD and a wild 21-month-old DS).

In my opinion, most medical care is a waste of time and money. However, I'm wondering if I would benefit from being checked out prior to conception (blood work, heart, etc).

I'm in my early 30s, and overall in good health (if a little tired from continuing to nurse DS 2-5 times/night)!


Also, I'm pretty sure I have a broken tailbone, but I haven't wanted to have x-rays (and damage my eggs) until I'm finished child-bearing. This injury (now 1 1/2 yrs. old) is causing me hip and sciatic pain.

Any suggestions?

[KC in KS]

Well, I do the pre-conception physicals, but I've had problems with pregnancy before, so it's kind of like a final checklist before takeoff for me, you know?

Since you say you're in normal good health, I can't think there would be too much to check. I suppose an iron check, since it hasn't been all that long since your last pregnancy. Personally, I'd definitely ask for a glucose test (A1C, maybe?) just in case you're on the road to problems there. Better identified before pregnancy than half-way through it, you know?

For the tailbone, I'd probably bring it up and ask what sorts of treatments are available should it actually be broken. I injured mine at some point during or just after DD's birth, and my OB basically said I just had to wait for it to heal. If there's no treatment, what's the point of an x-ray? BTW, I did finally get mine healed after living with a coxxyx pillow for a year.

Oh, and if you vax, you might have them re-run your immunities. I didn't have that done until I was already pregnant this time, and sure enough, my measles came back indeterminate. Can't do anything about it while pregnant, so I'm just keeping my fingers crossed.

HTH
KC

[QuestionGal]

What do they do at a pre-conception visit anyways? I never thought about getting your immunities checked....

[JennyClaire]

QuestionGal, I'm not sure what is done at a pre-conception check, because I've never had one before. I've always heard it's a good idea to get yourself checked, but never why (what they're looking for).

KC in KS had some good ideas (immunity, glucose, iron), but whether these are part of a regular pre-conception check, I'm uncertain. I wonder if they check for cancer? Probably not, but I've heard that if you have it, the cells will grow faster during pregnancy.

Congratulations on fixing your tailbone! I should get a special pillow for mine. I've heard that even carrying around a toilet seat is helpful! It's probably too late because the injury is older. I should have done something right away.

Any other thoughts on the benefits of a pre-conception physical?

[frog]

I went and had one--well, two, really. I went to my PCP who just chatted with me (I'd just had a pap and pelvic recently) and gave me the go-ahead, as well as answering some meds questions for me.

Then I saw a midwife, who talked with us about our plans and sent me for bloodwork (I'm anemic, so iron, and measles immunity). She called with the go ahead and said she'll see us when I'm pregnant.

The appointments were quick and easy and gave me good peace of mind. I got a ton of questions answered.

[mclisa]

They might also talk about your blood pressure, smoking habits, and folic acid intake.

About the tailbone, have you considered seeing a physical therapist that specializes in women? You may have pelive misalignment.