Preparations prior to TTC?

I had my Ob/Gyn visit this week and mentioned that we are going to TTC in about 3 months. He started me on folic acid.

My question is.... for mom who tried to get ready "prior" to their pregnancy... did you do anything else beside taking folic acid? Did you doctor do blood tests, etc.?

Re: Preparations prior to TTC?

I was told to watch my diet, exercise , take prenatals, etc. HTH

Re: Preparations prior to TTC?

Thank you. I was just wondering if there was some blood test, etc..

Re: Preparations prior to TTC?

My doctor didn't recommend a blood test. She did ask me about family history (there is nothing) and if I had the chicken pox.
However, my coworker who goes to the same practice was told she needed a blood test, and she also has no family history. So it can vary from Dr. to Dr.
I have recently had test done (thyroid, etc) from my PCP so I am not concerned.
Vitamins are important.
I also read the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility and thought it was very informative.

Re: Preparations prior to TTC?

In addition to starting me on folic acid, I also had some blood tests. I basically had them because my sister has had a lot of problems carrying. After 11 weeks she always miscarries. Long story short, they found out she has some kind of genetic bloos disorder that causes her to get blood clots in the placenta, so I was tested for that. I think it depends on your Dr. and family history, as someone else already stated on here.
Good Luck!

Re: Preparations prior to TTC?

Re: Preparations prior to TTC?

I did the above as well, and also had my blood tested for genetic diseases. My DH didn't have to get tested because I was negative for everything. Had I been positive, he would have had to go for those tests too.

Also, my OBGYN suggested to look into any vaccinations I would need, such as MMR, chicken pox. However I had all the necessary antibodies so I didn't need that either. They suggested that if you do need the vaccines, wait three months before TTC.

Good luck!

Re: Preparations prior to TTC?

We'll start TTC in August and I went off the pill in April. I've been taking folic acid, exercising, watching what I eat, etc.

I also used Ovulation predictor sticks this month to see what my cycle is like - what day I am ovulating on, etc. I plan to use them til August - though it's annoying cause they're expensive!!!!!!!

Good luck!

Re: Preparations prior to TTC?

~ start cutting back on caffiene

~ establish an exercise routine now, because once you get pregnant, they are not going to want you to try anything new

Re: Preparations prior to TTC?

I started taking prenatals when I went off the pill, before that I made an appt with my PCP (on my OB/GYN's advice) to make sure I was up to date on my vaccinations...