Are you ready to become a mother? Questions for Your Doctor During Pregnancy

First of all, congratulations! This is the most beautiful and changing period of your life. It is very normal to have a thousand questions and feel a little scared about each and every thing during this time. Questions like "Am I doing these things correctly?", "Is this discomfort normal?", "Is the baby okay?" are probably running through your mind. Don't worry, you are not alone. Your doctor is there to guide you on this journey and answer all your questions. So, the next time you go to the clinic, we will talk about some of the most important things you should definitely ask your doctor.

Let's get to know the baby first.

From the moment you find out you're pregnant, the biggest question on your mind and everyone in your family's mind is, "When are you having the baby?" This is the first question you should ask your doctor.

• "Doctor, when is my baby due?"

There are several ways for doctors to calculate this date. Simply put, it is calculated from the first day of your last period. We call it the Expected Date of Delivery (EDD) . However, this is not a 100% accurate date, it is just an estimate.

• "How is this date determined? Can this change from scan reports?"

Yes, absolutely. An ultrasound scan done within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy can give a fairly accurate estimate of the baby's age and due date. Sometimes the scan date may be slightly different from the date calculated based on your period. Don't worry about that. Your doctor will consider both dates and give you a more accurate date.

Let's take care of your health and nutrition.

Your body needs special nutrition and care during this time. Because now you are not one, but two. So you need to be very careful about your diet, medications, and exercise .

Vitamins and weight gain

• "What are prenatal vitamins? Is it necessary for me to take them?"

Yes, absolutely. During pregnancy, it is difficult to meet the nutritional needs of you and your baby through a normal diet alone. Folic acid and iron are especially important. Folic acid is essential for the healthy development of your baby's brain and spinal cord. Iron helps prevent anemia. Your doctor will recommend the right vitamin for you.

• "How much weight should I gain at this point?"

This is a problem that many people have. It is normal and necessary to gain weight during pregnancy. But you should only gain a healthy amount. This amount depends on your body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy . So, ask your doctor about a healthy amount of weight gain for you.

Diet, exercise and side effects

• "What can be done about morning sickness?"

Although called 'morning sickness', this nausea and vomiting can occur at any time of the day. The best thing to do for this is to eat small amounts of food several times a day, rather than eating a large meal at once. Ginger tea and dry foods (like crackers) can help. However, if the vomiting is very severe (to the point where you can't eat or drink anything), be sure to tell your doctor.

• "What foods and drinks should I eat and avoid? Is it good to exercise?"

This is a very important issue. You need to pay special attention to your diet and lifestyle during this time.

Let's talk about risks and safety

Not all symptoms that occur during pregnancy are dangerous, but it is important to be aware of some of the risk factors.

• "What are the common symptoms ? What symptoms should I call a doctor or go to the hospital for?"

Things like fatigue, frequent urination, and breast pain are normal. But if you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU).

• Excessive vaginal bleeding.
• Severe stomach ache or back pain.
• Severe headache.
• Sudden swelling of the hands, feet, and face.
• Blurred vision.
• A significant decrease in the baby's movements within a day (especially in the last months).
• Fever and chills.

• "Do I need to undergo special tests based on my family history?"

This is very important. If you or your husband's family has a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, or thalassemia, tell your doctor first. Your doctor will then decide if you or your baby need to undergo special genetic tests to see if there is a risk. For example, tests for conditions like Down Syndrome.

Contacts and clinic activities

This journey is not one you go through alone. Your partner, family, and your medical team are all involved.

• "Is it safe to have sex throughout pregnancy?"

This is a question that many people are hesitant to ask, but it is very important. In a normal, risk-free pregnancy, it is safe to have sex throughout your pregnancy. However, if you have any complications (such as bleeding) or have had previous miscarriages, your doctor may give you different advice. So be open about this with your doctor.

• "How often do I need to come to the clinic? Will I need to see other specialists?"

Usually, you will have to come to the clinic once a month in the early months of pregnancy, then once every two weeks, and once a week in the last month. Keep your "clinic book" accurate. Sometimes, if you have a condition like diabetes, you may be referred to a specialist for that or to another doctor for a special scan (Anomaly Scan) to check the baby's development.

Not only these questions, but also any small question or doubt you have in mind, never be afraid to ask your doctor. There is no such thing as a "stupid question" in medicine. Your peace of mind and awareness are very important for the health of you and your baby.