Planning a Baby  Discussion Forum

Hi,
I'm in the US and have heard that its better to take pre-natal medicines before planning for a baby. If any of u have had these medicines before conceiving, please let me know if they r necessary to be taken? How long do we have to take them? Any other suggestions before planning for a baby?
Thanks. Cynthia replied.
Dear Nicemom, Nat & Kav,

Thank u very much for ur help. Now I'm clear about what to do before planning a baby and also got to know about pap-smear test. I guess I'll take courage and definitely go for the test very soon.

Bye and thanks again
Cynthia nicemom replied. hi cynthia,
i think Nat has answered most of your queries. you must go for a gyn check-up. make sure the cervix looks good and the paps is normal. i prefer to shave and go for a paps, as i get concious otherewise. but i'm sure there are many women who don't shave regularly before a ob/gyn visit. so don't let that bother you at all. the insercion of the scope is not very painful b'coz the doc puts a gel before she inserts anything into your vagina. she takes a swab (like ear-bud,just bigger) and swabs the interior. you may bleed or may not.
'centrum' is an over the counter med. it has all the vit/minerals/folic acid required in one tablet, so i prefer that.
it would be nice to help you with any other answers, if possible
bye for now Nat replied. Hi Cynthia,
Definitely start taking folic acid and iron, probably something like Fefol, and/or multivitamins (like centrum) which have just about every vitamin, trace elements etc that you need to get in a day, all in one tablet.
Regarding the pap smear (i am putting it off too...) go to a lady doctor it is so much more comfortable with a lady, after all she has exactly the same bits! Secondly, there is no need to shave there (maybe your legs?) I just make sure my appointment is in the morning and that I go right after a shower (but that is for my peace of mind not because it is required).

Ok, so this is what usually happens. You go in, chat to the doc, how are you, have you had a papsmear before etc. Then you take your trousers and underwear off and lie on the table, you are given a towel to cover yourself. The doc then asks you to put your knees up and spread them, while they use a speculum, the device they insert in the vagina to hold it open, and she scrapes the cervix with a cotton bud. It is not a nice feeling, a little bit painful, like having sex when you are not fully ready and with someone who is a bit too big. You can not feel it when they scrape the cervix, but it is very quick, and before you know it is over. And at least you have one less thing to worry about for the next 2 years!

Good luck with the baby and with the pap smear.

Nat Kav replied. Hi Cynthia,

I have a six month old baby now. While we were planning to have a baby, my doctor advised me to start taking Folic Acid tablets. It is important for the baby mainly in the first 6 weeks, and mostly by the time you know, that time is already up. So start taking your follic acid tablets, eat healthy and most importantly relax. Don't get tensed if you don't concieve immediately. It may take a few months even.

Best wishes. nicemom replied. hi cynthia,
its good to take a vitamin supplement before conceiving so that your body is in a healthy cond when you conceive. before i conceived, a month before, i took goos amount of orange juice as its a good source of folic acid. i took centrum once a day and also avoided caffinated beverages. you can have a cup of coffee a day, of course and also a can of coke , here and there!!
i hope you have gone for your annual paps and ob/gyn check up.
all the best, keep me posted.