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It’s not always the most fun errand to run, but going to the ob-gyn every year is important — and so is knowing how to choose a doctor that you trust. After all, this is the person who will be assisting you with your reproductive health, and if you plan to have children someday, he or she may even be the one who delivers your children. It’s a big deal to find a doctor you mesh with well!
But during that annual visit, it can be hard to know what questions to ask to take charge of your health in the way you want to. Need a little extra help in that department? Here’s everything you need to know.
Note: During COVID, ask your doctor about virtual office visits. If you are seeing a doctor in person, make sure to ask about the facility’s safety measures and confirm that they are following COVID-19 protocols as indicated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Scheduling regular visits is important: When to see an ob-gyn
A visit to the ob-gyn should happen annually, whether you’re pregnant or not — it’s important to have a pelvic exam that often to make sure that you’re healthy (and, after you hit the age for a mammogram around 40, that’s important, too). If you did get a positive pregnancy test already, congratulations — it’s time to call and make that first appointment!
If you’re starting from scratch, you might be wondering how to find an ob-gyn, and in that case, the questions you’ll need to ask start before your first appointment. You can begin by googling ob-gyns near you or checking out which doctors in the area take your insurance on a site like ZocDoc, and then call the office to find out vital information about the practice that you’ll need, like:
1. What is the cost of the ob-gyn?
Under the Affordable Care Act, if you are insured, many services, like well woman visits and contraception, are free. Be sure to check with your provider and your new doctor to find out the cost for sure.
2. Don’t be afraid to “interview” your new ob-gyn.
During your first appointment (or even before, if possible), talk to your new doctor to find out more about their practice and their experience. If you don’t mesh well, it’s back to the drawing board, no harm done.
Questions to ask your ob-gyn during an annual visit
Going in for a well woman visit? According to what Dr. Kecia Gaither, the director of perinatal services at NYC Health, told Mom.com there are several questions that are important to ask at each annual visit, especially if you’ve noticed changes in your health over the past year.
3. Questions involving any change in your body.
This includes changes in menstruation, sex drive, and if you’re having pain during sex, as these can all indicate bigger problems. “This is important to ask, because if [your period is] heavier, it might mean polyps or fibroids. If it’s lighter, it could signal early menopause,” Gaither said.
4. Questions about your family history.
It’s also important to bring up any relevant family history that could indicate a need for a test or screening that may not be routine at your appointment. This includes a family history of cervical, breast, or uterine cancer, as well as conditions like diabetes, according to Dr. Gaither.
5. Any symptoms of breast cancer.
Per the CDC, this can include symptoms like dimpled skin, pain in the breast, or a change in appearance like redness, swelling, or a new lump. Gaither added that a particularly concerning symptom that should be addressed is discharge from the breasts, which she calls a “breast cancer red flag.”
6. What types of tests will you need?
Your ob-gyn should be able to tell you about tests and screenings you’ll need and when, including pap smears and colonoscopies.
Questions to ask your ob-gyn while pregnant or trying to conceive
Visiting the doc for your first ob-gyn visit while pregnant or trying to conceive? There are a few questions that are important to ask that are specific to pregnancy and fertility, too.
7. Ask about any previous health concerns.
If this isn’t your first pregnancy, be sure to bring up any issues that have come up in previous pregnancies, like preeclampsia. If you haven’t been pregnant before and/or are trying to conceive, it’s also a good time to bring up your health history, especially any conditions that could affect fertility and pregnancy.
8. What vitamins should you be taking?
Your ob-gyn can recommend prenatal vitamins for you to take, and even if you aren’t pregnant, they can help you find the right regimen for your health and to possibly boost your chances of conceiving. Dr. Gaither says vitamin D, omegas, and vitamin C are often recommended. Your doctor will also be able to tell you what medication you can take while pregnant.
9. Questions about diet and exercise.
Your ob-gyn will be able to recommend the proper diet and exercise — and what is and isn’t safe to eat and drink. And on the topic of your lifestyle, your ob-gyn will also be able to advise you how to stay safe while being pregnant during a pandemic.
10. Questions about your emotional and mental health.
Pregnancy — as well as trying to get pregnant — can certainly take a toll on your mental health (to say the least), so if you have any concerns, don’t be afraid to reach out.
“Many mothers keep quiet about their mental distress. I never would have told my ob-gyn if she hadn’t asked me the right questions,” mom Christie Tate previously told Mom.com. “I thought I was wimpy for being so tired and glum. Afraid that my friends would judge me for giving into medication, I kept my mouth shut.”
Finding the right ob-gyn can be a challenge, but it’s worth it in the end.
