Benefits of Seeing an OBGYN Before Childbearing

A visit to an OBGYN before childbearing, also known as a preconception check-up, comes highly recommended by professionals. Whether you are just considering starting a family or you are already pregnant, here are some of the benefits of seeing an OBGYN before your family grows.
 

Get Started on Prenatal Vitamins

Prenatal vitamins are recommended for all women in pregnancy as certain vitamins and minerals particularly support a growing baby. One of the most important is folic acid 0.4mg which has been shown to help prevent neural tube defects early in your baby’s development, such as spina bifida. It’s difficult to get enough folic acid through diet alone, so supplements can boost your supply and experts recommend that women who wish to get pregnant start taking them at least one month ahead of conception.
 

Do’s and Don’ts of Pregnancy

Unsurprisingly, there are lots of different recommendations as to what expectant mothers should or shouldn’t eat, drink and do to sustain a healthy pregnancy. Even if you have had children in the past, the guidance has likely been updated so it’s best to speak to an OBGYN to find out what the latest recommendations are.

 

Check Whether Any Medications You Are Taking Are Safe for The Baby

There are lots of different medications for all sorts of ailments. Unfortunately, lots of drugs aren’t recommended for pregnant women so if you are taking any regular medications, it’s important to run these past your OBGYN to make sure that they won’t harm your pregnancy. In some cases, it may be necessary for you to switch to an alternative drug for the duration of your pregnancy.
 

Discuss Your Medical History

Your OBGYN will want to talk to you about all aspects of your health history. This will help them to establish how closely you will need to be monitored during your pregnancy and if there is anything specific for them to watch for, such as gestational diabetes or high blood pressure. Advances in medical science mean that it’s possible to know much more about our health than ever before, including whether we possess any genetic conditions that could be passed onto any children that we have. For some potential parents, this information is invaluable in deciding whether to have children and even to prepare them for the type of support their future children will need. Your OBGYN will ask you and your partner for comprehensive information about any genetic issues or inherited diseases within your families and, if necessary, refer you for genetic testing.
 

Discuss Your Gynecological History

As well as talking to your OBGYN about your general medical history, they will also ask you about any past pregnancies and any gynecological issues you may have had in the past. Again, this will help them to be well-informed about your condition going forward, which will, in turn, help them to ensure you get the best possible care.

 

Ask Any Questions You May Have

If you haven’t had a baby before, or even if you have, you may have questions about what to expect during trying to conceive, the pregnancy itself, or the birth. Your OBGYN is the best person to answer these for you and allay any worries or fears that you may have.

For more advice or information on seeing an OBGYN before childbearing, please speak to our women’s health team at Partners In Obstetrics and Women's Health in New Lenox, Illinois. You can also give us a call at (815) 240-0554 to schedule an appointment!