quick clicks

pregnancy today articles

pregnancy today q&a

message boards

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Ask the Doctor

What Questions Should an Expectant Mom Ask Her Doctor?

By Charlene Torkelson

Congratulations! You have discovered you are expecting for the first time. You are ready for your first doctor's appointment and realize you have no idea what questions you should be asking about this new experience.

First, unless your doctor is a female mother, all questions should be related to medical opinion. After all, any advice about feelings and delivery experiences would only be a secondhand account from a man who has no personal experience in these matters. Those questions should be directed at mothers who have gone through the pregnancy and birthing experiences. Notice, the word is "mothers" and not "mother." Everyone has their own unique experience, so please don't take the opinion of only one woman as a matter of fact. One woman's advice may only cloud your expectations.

Caffeine
Your doctor may have strong opinions about the use of caffeine found in coffee, soft drinks and chocolate (yes, chocolate). If you are one who must have her latte every morning, this may be a shock to the system to give up caffeinated drinks. If you are a cola-with-meals woman, this question should be one you ask on that very first visit. Don't be surprised if you have religiously cut out all caffeine during your pregnancy only to be confronted with a 9-month-pregnant soon-to-be mom toting her bottle of Pepsi to the birthing seminar at the hospital. This subject is one you should discuss with your doctor immediately.

Question: What are the affects of caffeine on pregnancy and do you recommend avoiding caffeine?

Smoking
Another tricky subject is smoking. Decades ago you might see a pregnant woman with a lit cigarette dangling from her lips, but today that picture is scarce. Smoking is a subject that has become controversial over the past few years. Not only is it unusual in many cities and states to see a pregnant woman smoking, but it has become increasingly rare to see anyone smoking. With businesses, restaurants and even bars going smoke free, a smoker tends to hide behind a building in the alley when smoking.

Want to see more?

• Prenatal Doctor Visits: What to Expect During Office Exams from Conception to Delivery
• Male or Female OB/GYN? What to Consider When Making This Decision
• Birth Team Considerations: A Certified Doula Answers Questions on Choosing a Birth Team
• Check out our Article Library.
• Talk about it!