Hello everyone! so in my recent posts i decided to finally make an appointment with an OBGYN for june 3rd seeing hows my cycles have been off track lately, now i will admit i am pretty nervous seeing hows this is my first time going to one, I am a plus size female as well, so i hope they don't think i am stupid for ttc with being plus size all ready, how did all of your first appointments go? and do you think they will get on my for my weight and ttc?
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I started going to the OBGYN a year or two before I left for college, but it was way, way easier than I amped it up to be. I had an absolutely wonderful doctor, and she made me feel very comfortable. The first pap smear isn't the most enjoyable thing in the world, but I didn't find it painful (the one I had scheduled during my first trimester was the only pap I've ever had where I experienced slight discomfort), and it was over rather quickly. My doctor made a point to just chat me up during my pelvic and breast exams, so I didn't think anything of either.
To be totally frank, some issues with infertility/wonky cycles can be heightened due to poor diet and lack of exercise. Your OBGYN might make some suggestions to encourage a well-rounded, healthy lifestyle. However, if you have a compassionate, sensitive doctor, he/she shouldn't give you a hard time about your weight. Don't allow yourself to be bullied, and feel empowered to "doctor shop".
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I'm plus size and my doctor never said anything about my weight, he just encouraged healthy eating. When I asked him about getting pregnant, he just said to go for it! Didn't mention anything about losing weight or anything.
The exam itself was really easy and he explained everything to me and was really awesome about it all. I was distracted a lot by him joking with the nurse the whole time of the exam. So that helped too.
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I don't think being plus size should be of concern to them! Unless you have any health issues due to it that may impede conception? Glad you are scheduling one; a preconception appointment is helping prior to/starting TTC. Your OB will be able to answer all the questions you have.
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A professional should give you advice, that will probably include recommendations for weight loss, but shouldn't be judge mental.
Once I became pregnant, my OB told me of things of extra concern since I was plus size, but was very sensitive.
Good luck!
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My doctor never mentioned weight to me until I went to see her for my "its taking too long" TTC appointment. So for your first visit, I doubt they will be judgmental, but they may want to test you for something related to being overweight (like PCOS).
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I was about 25 lbs over the highest of healthy range for my height before I got pregnant, based on BMI charts. I definitely needed to lose some weight but I'm not "obese" by medical standards. My midwife never mentioned it to me when I asked about TTC. I even asked about my hormones/thyroid/etc. and she ran tests, but never mentioned my weight one way or another.
If you are very overweight though, they may bring it up. Hopefully they will talk with you about it in the context of potential PCOS or other issues that could be connected, and not make you feel bad about being plus size. Good luck!
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I am overweight, have PCOS, struggled with infertility, and had a complicated pregnancy, and no one once made me feel badly about my weight.
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@BrentLee88: They might bring it up, but it should be in a matter of fact sort of way, not a you-shouldn't-be-ttc kind of way, you know? My doctor once brought up that I gained ONE extra lb for that appointment but she did it smiling and in a "well I recommend..." way. Don't take it personally unless they're rude, and get all the info you can!
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Another plus sized preg here! I didn't have a pre-conception appointment but at my first midwife appointment (when I was 9 weeks) they did bring up my elevated BMI, requested that I eat healthily and referred me to an exercise class for overweight pregnant women but nobody was judgey about it at all.
As you are going along to ask questions about your wonky cycles, they may suggest that your weight might be a factor and advise you to exercise and eat properly - but nobody is going to make you feel bad about it or tell you to halt your TTC plans until you are a twig, I'm sure of it!!!
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I'm plus sized, the only mention was that I should only gain 15 pounds (I think I gained 17).
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@deerylou: Thanks a bunch! since we have been ttc we both have been eating healthier and i have been exercising more, we shall see how the visit goes!
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@abbydabbydoodlebug: thanks, yeah i got a female doctor so i hope she is very nice and easy going
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@regberadaisy: is it the obgyn where they can test your fertility as well, or is that just certain doctors?
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@wheres_c: thank you!
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@BrentLee88: no, that's a specialist that you have to get a referral from your OB for. And for *most* females 30/35 and under you have to be TTC for 12 months and for 30/35 and over TTC for 6 months. That's assuming no other glaring issues such as crazy periods, etc. How old are you?
P.S. I say 30/35 because depending on who you talk to that age changes.
My OB saids 30. -
@Mrs.Someone: okay thanks, yeah lets hope there is nothing wrong! im sure i will be fine just wanted to make sure everything is working right while we are ttc
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@Mrs.Someone: okay thanks
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My doctor never said anything to me. They did say that I was gaining too much weight while pregnant.... But that's another story. I would have gotten that lecture no matter how much I weighed.
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@artbee: Good i hope my doctor dont say much about it either, i'll just ask her if i can still ttc but when i get preggo just watch what i eat as well, is that hard when your pregnant?
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@MsMini: so sorry to here that you have PCOS and a rough pregnancy, i am just glad you got to have your baby though! they sure are a blessing! congrads! and thanks for advice!
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I'm overweight and the only thing my OB/GYN ever said about my weight was when I got pregnant (both times). When discussing what to expect, he said that he'd like me to try and keep my weight gain to around 25 lbs.
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@googly-eyes: okay thanks! helps me look forward to the visit instead of dreading it! lol
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@Cherrybee: okay thanks! makes me feel alot better! and im glad im not the only one going through this out there!
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I agree with a lot of the above commenters when it comes to whether she will/won't mention weight.
However, she MAY comment on the fact you've never been to the gyno before... That may complicate things because you haven't had any standard preventative care (pap spears, pelvic exam, etc.)
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@purrpletulips: okay well i guess i will do that as well when i get preggers, of course i have to see what they say but im sure i will be alright!, just hope she is nice and not to straight forward .. lol
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@LindsayInNYC: yeah i was afraid of that as well, idk why it took me so long to make an appointment with one, guess i was always to scared too
plus not only that i wasn't one of the kids that had sex with eveyone..... only my husband to be honest, but i still should have gone soon 
guess the though of someone looking down there scares me -
@BrentLee88: "i wasn't one of the kids that had sex with everyone" <-- That has nothing to do with it (and honestly is kinda offensive!). Generally, it's recommended that you start going either once you have sex or when you turn 18 (some say 21). Obviously the sex part is to ensure you don't contract anything but otherwise, it's to make sure your body is working properly - everything looks and work normal, etc. I promise you, it won't be as bad as you think it will be! It's not fun, by any means, but it's not terrible.
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I agree with @LindsayInNYC I had the same thoughts/concerns. I went to the gyno first at 17 or 18 and have gone at least yearly since. They may want you to hold on TTC until they are sure you are healthy- there are many gynocological issues that could arise that aren't STDs. From here out you should definitely go at least annually for your pap to make sure it's normal and stay in front of your health. Regarding weight/fertility- I was diagnosed at 18 (at my OBGYN) with PCOS, which stemmed from months of checks after concerns with my weight. (I was not very overweight then but carried my weight mostly in my stomach, and had a few other PCOS symptoms.) When you mention "testing fertility" though, really there's not a fertility test you can take. What's probably going to happen is they'll check to make sure you're healthy, and then see how long TTC takes for you. Then after probably a year (due to your age- I'm assuming 20s?) they'll try some tests/treatments. It's kind of a hit or miss game with treating/testing fertility so that's why checkups are important- they help show if you have anything wrong that could impact your fertility.
The OB is always a little weird at first but after your appointment you'll be a pro! Keep it up- going for your annual checkups will keep you happier and healthier and on your way to starting your family!
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@LindsayInNYC: Sorry i so didn't mean it that way,
i meant that's my way of thinking like well if i haven't slept with anyone but my husband then i should be alright, even though that isnt safe to think i still should have made an appointment a lot sooner, i guess when u are scared of doctors really bad like i am u will think of any way to stop from going, like you said its not all about the sex when you go just to make sure everything is working good, I am sure it wont be as bad as i think it may be, i tend to over think things to much lol, at least i will know what it going on though, sorry again i should have used different words or not have said that at all.
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@kjpugs: okay thank you for the advice, i will always keep making my yearly check ups now, yeah i am 24 almost 25 so im sure it will take a lil bit to get preggers but like you said i have to see if there is anything wrong first "crosses fingers there isnt" but i guess timing will tell.
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@BrentLee88: It could go really quick to get pregnant too, you never know! It's just nice to know if you have issues that might impact your pregnancy. It'll be good to discuss your cycles, any pain or issues- lots of things besides STD's, like cysts, or abnomal cycles, or missing cycles, any abnormal pap results (you don't have to sleep around to get cervical cancer) or even just bad menstrual pain- all good things to be discussed/figured out. And then they can give you a good POA for TTC, and help you focus on what you need to. Good luck!
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Also, seeing an OB is not just for getting pregnant! They check for lots of of other things too. Breast cancer, make sure your lady parts are working, general women's health. It's a good idea to get one yearly.
I've only ever been with my husband and go yearly still since I was 18.
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@kjpugs: yes i guess you do never know, all that is very true, i am going to ask as many questions as i can lol , and talk to her about my irregular cycles as well, hopefully if all is well wonder if she could give me a precise time to when i ovulate every month
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@regberadaisy: I heard they check the breast and such as well, i have had a mammogram before due to a hard lump in my breast but it was just a caffeine cyst, so the breast part should be easier for me to be honest since i know what is going to happen, i will deff get one yearly for now on
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@BrentLee88: But, in theory, you have also slept with anyone else your husband slept with before you! And either of you can contract things without having actual intercourse. But, again, like everyone said after me, it's a good idea to go regularly for general health purposes!
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@BrentLee88: Your irregular cycles would have been a trigger for me to head to the OBGYN. You just don't know why they're irregular, and you're better safe than sorry to get that checked out. And @kjpugs: is right...you don't have to have sex to develop ovarian, uterine or cervical cancer. Getting regular check-ups can help detect anything like that early enough so that you can take care of it if you need to!
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@LindsayInNYC: yes that is very true, I am deff sticking to going yearly now just to make sure everything is fine with my health! i should have way sooner now i regret it but at least i have the guts to go now, lol even though its a lil late but at least i decided to get it done i guess lol
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@2PeasinaPod: Well i always had normal periods, i just noticed recently the last 3 months they have been wacky, that's what made me make this appointment and i wanted to make sure i am okay to carry a baby, even though i should have made the appointment earlier .... but at least i did now thank god.. lol, yeah that is true about the ovarian,uterine or cervical cancer, well lets hope i don't have any of those!!! like i said since i made an appointment now i am going to keep going in as much as they need me to for checkups. I have really bad Anxiety going to any doctors! its a big thing i start shaking in waiting room and stuttering. i am horrible it even took me forever to make a dentist appointment i went when i was a child but after 10 years i finally went and got everything done, so with me making this appointment to go to a OBGYN is a big step for me. dang Anxiety issues! lol
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@Cherrybee: okay thanks! glad im not the only one, just happy i finally made an appointment! lol
plus not only that i wasn't one of the kids that had sex with eveyone..... only my husband to be honest, but i still should have gone soon 
guess the though of someone looking down there scares me Subscribe to our newsletter
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