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well there's no harm in taking prenatals as your multi-vitamin. i take them just because i like what they do to my hair.
but it sounds like he has no confidence in charting. if that's a problem for you, i would find a new doctor.
Your doctor was wrong. NFP (when used perfectly) is VERY effective birth control. The rate is nowhere near 50%. Forget about taking the prenatals and find a new doctor. His response was medically inaccurate as well as disrespectful.
My OB/GYN suggests taking prenatals 6 months before TTC. Something about building the folic acid in your system to prevent birth defects (but I could be wrong on that explanation). Other bees might have a better explanation.
Many medical professionals believe that folic acid is SO important that every young woman having sex, whether trying to conceive or not, should be taking it. The benefits definitely outweigh the risks--neural tube defects are a big deal. I don't think your doctor was trying to be offensive about your birth control method, but simply telling you about really the only important thing you can be doing before conception if you area already healthy.
I've always heard that when you prepare to TTC, it's good to start taking prenatal vitamins early... 1) if you do conceive early it's healthier 2) build it up.
As for the NFP stuff, it does sound as if he isn't "into" it, which imho, is frustratingly naive and bad for his patients. I always find it funny that Dr's are so quick to suggest charting to help a woman conceive, but scoff at the same science that can enable a couple to NOT conceive.
We're NFP users here (successful ones, too) and my insurance just changed as well... If you talk to a local pro-life group; CCL; pregnancy assistance center, catholic charities, etc... most (especially the pregnancy assistance centers) have OB-GYNs they work with... and will probably be more in line with an NFP approach to family planning... They can give you recs for a NFP/FAM believing dr. Also, if you check and see if there are any NAPRO tech. trained Dr's in your area they will be VERY familiar with it as well.
Whether your doctor was making a judgement call on your chosen form of birth control or not is a separate issue from his advice to take prenatals. Take them. It doesn't hurt, only helps. My doctor suggested the same thing and said it was better safe than sorry, that if you are having sex there is always a chance you could get pregnant so why not take steps to prevent birth defects and be in the best health possible?
All you have to do is read the baby boards to see how many women who weren't trying end up pregnant!!
I got very quick/lame advice the first time I mentioned I was TTC to my regular doctor. I think when it's not specifically a prenatal appt they just rush through and hand out some quick pamphlet. I was kind of sad..I wanted more info, but at the beginning before there are any problems, there's not a ton to say besides keeping healthy and taking prenatals.
i've heard that you can start taking prenatals up to one year in advance of ttc. there's certainly no harm in taking them, and if you find that one brand/type doesn't agree with you, you have plenty of time to switch and find what works before you actually get pregnant.
The earlier the better. It's not like it's going to hurt you to take pre natals.
Thanks for the advice ladies. I bought some to start taking even though we are about 9 months out. The dr. was so quick to comment about 50% but those who have read TCOYF know that it is more than 95% effective if done properly. I was already a little uncomfortable with the ob-gyn b/c he's a guy (I know he can do his job as well as any woman but I think I am happier with a female doc). I'm going to look at the other ob-gyns at the practice and see if any of them are more into NFP. We'll see. If I don't find another, I'll find some other resources in addition to my ob-gyn.
I'd imagine they'd say to start taking them because usually if you're planning on TTC you're quitting BC or charting so there's a possibility you could get pregnant before you actually start "trying". Another good reason is so you're body is a healthy as possible making it optimum conditions to concieve/carry a baby.
Charting is very effective - I used it for a year after going off BC, and the first month TTC I was pregnant.
I tell all my patients who are sexually active, have a uterus, and of childbearing age to take PNV whether they are using birth control or not. Approximately 50% of pregnancies are unplanned, and even if one doesn't get pregnant before TTC, PNV are an excellent multivitamin for women our age. It also helps that they are free at Meijer (with a prescription), so the only reason not to take them is laziness.
That being said, it doesn't seem like a great fit as far as doctors go, so I would second KLP's recommendation on how to find one that might be a better fit.
@guitargirl: Completely agree with above. Take the vitamins, and find a doctor who you feel comfortable with and who listens to you Pregnancy and gynecologic care is awkward and emotional in general, and you need to find a doc (male or female) who you feel listens to you and doesn't judge.
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Sorry, randomly long title, but I have a question for you bees who have babies or are pregnant...or use NFP/FAM.
I went to the ob/gyn on Monday to get medicine for a yeast infection and have a yearly check up (first visit with dr, new insurance). I explained we used NFP so that we wouldn't get pregnant yet and showed him my year of charting and he didn't really say anything. At the end of the visit I asked what information 2 young, healthy individuals needed if they were planning on trying to conceive around the end of next summer. He said to start taking folic acid and prenatals now because mapping was only about 50% effective.
He had another patient to get to and I was already running late so I didn't realize I had more questions until today. In your experience, did you start taking pre-natals and folic acid so early? We're 9 months away from wanting to conceive. I kinda got the vibe that he figured I'd just land up pregnant b/c of NFP not working. I don't mind taking the pills if they're necessary now, but if it's just because he thinks our charting is going to fail, then I don't know if I can agree with that/him.
I guess this is jumbled and long, but ladies, what was your experience? Prenatals so early? No dr. confidence in NFP?