Baby wish
Should I delay pregnancy for a bit?
SoofGuest ·
Hi,
My boyfriend and I decided last month to start trying for a baby, and we’ve already had unprotected sex. Then we went to the GP (for something else) and mentioned that we’d like to have a baby. The doctor came at us with a whole bunch of questions and to-do’s for pregnancy. Things I first need to figure out and arrange, and then some tests, blood work, and possibly additional vaccinations. All to protect the baby, of course, but it really threw me for a loop. I had just gotten used to the idea of possibly getting pregnant. Now it looks like we might have to put that plan on hold for a few months. Well, nothing is mandatory, we can decide for ourselves, of course, but if it’s recommended, why the rush? I find it pretty difficult and can’t find much online about it. For now, my boyfriend and I have switched back to ‘safe’..
And this keeps running through my head... what if I’m already pregnant? I mean, the chance is small that it happened right away, and my periods are very irregular, so there’s no way to gauge my ovulation. For now, it’s too early to test reliably.
Does anyone else have experience with this? What did you do? What if you don’t do all the tests beforehand? I also live abroad, and here they’re a bit more cautious and on top of everything..
My boyfriend and I decided last month to start trying for a baby, and we’ve already had unprotected sex. Then we went to the GP (for something else) and mentioned that we’d like to have a baby. The doctor came at us with a whole bunch of questions and to-do’s for pregnancy. Things I first need to figure out and arrange, and then some tests, blood work, and possibly additional vaccinations. All to protect the baby, of course, but it really threw me for a loop. I had just gotten used to the idea of possibly getting pregnant. Now it looks like we might have to put that plan on hold for a few months. Well, nothing is mandatory, we can decide for ourselves, of course, but if it’s recommended, why the rush? I find it pretty difficult and can’t find much online about it. For now, my boyfriend and I have switched back to ‘safe’..
And this keeps running through my head... what if I’m already pregnant? I mean, the chance is small that it happened right away, and my periods are very irregular, so there’s no way to gauge my ovulation. For now, it’s too early to test reliably.
Does anyone else have experience with this? What did you do? What if you don’t do all the tests beforehand? I also live abroad, and here they’re a bit more cautious and on top of everything..
Replies
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Beagle #2
What tests do they do? Standard checks to see if you're healthy?
I didn't go to the GP beforehand. But I started taking folic acid a month before we started trying until I was 12 weeks pregnant. After that, I switched to a multivitamin.
I wouldn't worry too much (unless there are serious diseases going around there, which could be dangerous for pregnancy). Otherwise, just give it a try; maybe it'll take a year and then you'll regret waiting. -
FiFi #3
I had a blood test done before we even started. But it was good too. My rubella antibodies were too low, so I had to get a vaccine. Because of this, I wasn't allowed to get pregnant for 8 weeks since it's a weakened virus and it takes time for antibodies to develop.
I also found it pretty tough having to wait almost 2 months. But I'm glad I did it. Now I don't have to worry during pregnancy
xx -
Anonymous Guest #4
I didn't go to the GP beforehand either. Just took folic acid. Never heard that you should do something like that before pregnancy. Or well, nothing has to be done the way you say, but of course I don't know which country and why they handle it that way there. -
Soof started this #5
Absolutely FiFi, what you're saying, get tested for those kinds of things. I first need to figure out which vaccines I've had as a kid (I have that overview now) and then they'll check which additional ones I need. What you said, they've also talked about that. So they want a blood test (for blood type, toxoplasmosis, and a few other things), a gynecological/STI test, they're talking about a whooping cough vaccination (which I read online is fine during pregnancy). Let's say they definitely want to know if I'm resistant enough to all sorts of things that could potentially be threats. Which is nice, of course.. -
FiFi #6
I did indeed get whooping cough during my pregnancy All the rest was also tested and given to me beforehand. -
proud_mommy #7
I just had a blood test when I was pregnant (standard in Belgium). And at 28 weeks, I'm getting a vaccination against whooping cough. Otherwise, I only took folic acid until 12 weeks, then mamapuur (multivitamin). -
Puck #8
Vaccination against whooping cough is recommended during pregnancy, so that you can pass on your antibodies to your baby. It should be done at the beginning of the third trimester. Doing it earlier doesn't make sense.
Also, I don't think it's standard practice to check all those things in the Netherlands. -
Anonymous Guest #9
When we were ready to go for it, I went to the GP two months before I stopped the pill for a blood test. They checked everything you mentioned too. Everything was fine with me, so I was cleared to start trying. I wouldn't stress too much about it and just wait for the blood test results. There's a good chance everything is fine and there's no problem. And if there is, you can get it sorted out before any possible pregnancy, as Fifi says. That's a hard pill to swallow, I guess, but it's so much better in the long run! I actually liked having everything checked that can be seen in the blood. That way I didn't have to worry about it. I saw it as a first step in this process. By the way, I think they can see from your blood which vaccinations you've had? Good luck with it, and don't jump to the worst conclusions too quickly! -
Moedertjuh #10
Never seen a doctor for getting pregnant, not with any of my 3 kids. Only took folic acid/multivitamins. Your GP already tests your blood. -
Gliss #11
Oh my, that's so medicalized (making a medical issue out of it). If you're just healthy, live in a safe country, and take folic acid, it all seems quite unnecessary to me. Don't stress too much about it. I didn't have any of that checked either. -
Meid23 #12
I find all this pretty intense
I don't know which country you're in, but if they check every woman who wants kids and start doing vaccinations, I think they'll be busy for a long time? And besides, some vaccines only work temporarily. Suppose it's not "fast enough" to get pregnant, do you have to start over again? Here in the NL, you basically just take folic acid when you want to get pregnant, and blood tests are only done once you're pregnant.
In our case, getting pregnant didn't happen naturally, so for that reason we had to do an STI test because that can be a cause (but it wasn't the case for us), and we also had some blood tests at the hospital because of the ICSI process.
If you live in a Zika area or have been on vacation there, I can understand wanting to take extra precautions and delay the wish for a bit. But if you and your partner are ready, I'd go for it
You never know how long it will take for the wish to come true. -
Soof started this #13
Thanks for all the replies. In the end, we decided to put it on hold, but my body had other ideas. Tested positive yesterday and this morning. Seems like we got lucky and both very fertile, since it happened in just a few tries
Now off on vacation, and then I'll call the GP with the news. -
proud_mommy #14
Congratulations, girl. Enjoy it!
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