questions to ask ob gyn

10 Must-Have Questions to Ask Ob-Gyn


What would be my target weight gain during pregnancy?


Your body will naturally gain weight during pregnancy. While this may sound obvious, the added weight is not just because of the growing baby. Your body also grows extra tissues and organs, such as the placenta, to support your growing baby. Your body also increases its levels of fat to help cushion and protect your body.

All of these changes lead to weight gain. It can be confusing at first to know how much weight to gain. However, current standards recommend that you use your body mass index, or BMI, before pregnancy as a guide.


What will happen to my pregnancy if I have a preexisting disease or a family history of one?


This one is a crucial concern that you should include as part of your questions to ask ob-gyn. Not all diseases can endanger your pregnancy, but there are some that can still be harmful.

Pregnancy imposes a certain level of stress on your body since your body will help create and sustain new life for around nine months. Any more can worsen certain health conditions, and these conditions can also reduce your body’s ability to support the baby.

As a general rule, you should discuss conditions that affect the cardiovascular system or other crucial areas of the body with your ob-gyn. Such conditions include high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or autoimmune diseases. 

If you have a family history of these diseases, you should also notify your ob-gyn so that you can be better prepared. Finally, any allergies to antibiotics or anesthesia should be raised now, as you will need these substances during labour.


Can I exercise while pregnant?


The short answer is yes; however, some minor changes are in order. Exercise is beneficial for pregnancy, as it strengthens your cardiovascular system, enabling better blood flow for you and your baby. 

Exercise also boosts your immune system and elevates your mood. Your baby is sufficiently protected from the shocks of activity by your uterus and the amniotic fluid inside. Hence, it should pose no problem for pregnant women.

However, not all exercise routines are suitable during pregnancy. Generally, you would want to avoid extreme exercises that rapidly raise your heartbeat, especially if you were not especially fit before pregnancy. 

You should also avoid those that can cause you to lose balance, as well as those that put excessive strain on your belly. To stay safe, include this as part of your questions to ask ob-gyn and make sure that you get the green light to continue.


What lifestyle changes should I make during pregnancy?


Some lifestyle changes are required. For example, you will need to stop consuming alcohol, as this can have a drastic effect on the development of your baby. Small amounts can also be dangerous, and it can affect you even if you don’t become drunk. Also, stop smoking. Nicotine and other substances in tobacco can cause developmental abnormalities in your growing baby.

For other aspects of your lifestyle, you would have to consult with your ob-gyn to accurately determine if you need to stop or modify those activities. Given that your lifestyle can impact your baby, make sure to include these in your questions to ask ob-gyn, especially during the first few visits.


How do I deal with work during pregnancy?


In most cases, you can continue with your work during pregnancy, sometimes up until the final month. However, if your work is physically exhausting or if it causes you to lose sleep and skip meals, you might have to consider making modifications to your work. Your health is now more critical than ever as you are also supporting your unborn child. 

If your health fails, then your child will also suffer.

In addition, take heed if your work has significant occupational hazards. If, for example, your job involves routine exposure to chemicals, consider adding protective equipment or requesting an assignment to a safer position. 

You will have to add this to your questions to ask ob-gyn so that you can properly analyse the risk. You will then have to communicate this to your superior at work so that he or she can give you the proper accommodations.


What dietary supplements should I take for my pregnancy?


As a general rule, getting all the nutrients you need from the food you eat is ideal, as they are most easily absorbed by the body when present in food. However, a lot of pregnant women do not have the time or resources available to plan perfect meals three times a day. Hence, dietary supplements can help ensure you still get the nutrition you need.

Of particular interest would be calcium, which is necessary in order to develop your baby’s bones, as well as when you are already lactating. You will also need vitamin C since it plays a role in bolstering immunity and promoting tissue growth. 

Note also that receiving too much of any nutrient can also be dangerous. Watch out for vitamin A overdose, which can cause developmental abnormalities.

Again, only a medical professional can be able to determine your precise nutritional needs. Talk to your doctor and add dietary concerns to the questions to ask ob-gyn, who can refer you to specialists if you need special accommodations.


Can I continue my medications during pregnancy?


Medications can vary widely in terms of how they can affect your pregnancy. For instance, while many are harmless to your unborn baby, others can cause dangerous side effects. Such medicines are said to have teratogenic effects. 

Fortunately, approved medications have been tested thoroughly for any teratogenic effects, and proper guidelines on their usage are readily available.

If you are taking any medications, raise that information to your ob-gyn. You might be required to switch some of the more harmful drugs with safer ones, or your doctor might tweak your dosage and treatment duration. 


How often should I get in touch with an ob-gyn?


Usually, you would be expected to spend several weeks between visits for the first trimester. However, the frequency will gradually increase as your pregnancy progresses. Your particular schedule will depend on your needs as well as on the availability of your ob-gyn. Establishing how often you should attend consultations should be one of the questions to ask ob-gyn.


Is it safe to have sex while pregnant?


Now that your belly is starting to bulge, you might think that sexual intercourse might be dangerous. These fears are unfounded, as you can still safely have sex even during the second trimester. 

During pregnancy, mucus plugs the cervix, securing the uterus from any intrusion. Connective tissues also shield your baby, so even some vigorous action would not be enough to dislodge your baby.

As long as your pregnancy is going along healthily, you should be able to have sex safely. However, if you have pregnancy complications, it might be useful to include this in the questions to ask ob-gyn.


Are prenatal classes useful?


As you reach the midpoint of your pregnancy, your thoughts might start to wander towards life after pregnancy, as well as childbirth itself. You might have already heard about prenatal classes, which train women on techniques to help them deliver their child safely and efficiently. 

The actual value of these classes will depend on your current experience with childbirth, as well as your physical condition. However, prenatal classes are generally useful for most cases.

If you are confused as to which prenatal classes to take, you can always include this in your questions to ask ob-gyn. Your ob-gyn should be able to recommend a course or two.

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