Questions to ask during pregnancy appointments: 5 steps

Your baby's movements, a new test, something a friend told you... During pregnancy, most questions don't come to you in the consulting room but in the days between appointments. And by the time you're at your check-up, half of them may have slipped away. In this post you'll find 5 steps for collecting your questions, example questions for each stage, and the situations where you shouldn't wait for your next appointment.

Why collect your questions in advance?

Antenatal check-ups are there to monitor both your health and your baby's; they're also a chance to ask questions and prepare for the birth. MedlinePlus explains that check-ups usually happen once a month until week 28, every two weeks until week 36, and then weekly until the birth. This schedule can vary by country, health system and your own situation; your doctor or midwife sets your own schedule.

Throughout pregnancy you come across a lot of new information: screening tests, nutrition advice, birth options. With so much to take in, it's completely normal for some questions to go unanswered. Check-ups may be regular, but they're short. Between blood pressure, weight, tests and scans, the time flies. Writing your questions down beforehand helps because:

• Even on a day when you're excited or tired, you won't forget the most important topic.
• You can put your questions in order of priority and spend the time on what matters most to you.
• Your partner or whoever comes with you can see the list and remind you of anything you've missed.
• Months later, you can see what you asked, when, and what answer you got.

5 steps to collecting your questions

You don't need a complicated system. It can be a note on your phone, a small notebook in your bag or an app; what matters is always using the same place.

1. Start a single list. Write all your questions in the same place. Questions split between your phone and a scrap of paper won't come together on appointment day.
2. Write it down the moment it comes to you. A question you mean to write down “later” often gets lost. One sentence is enough; you can add the details afterwards.
3. Add a little context. Next to the question, write the date and why you're asking, for example: “I've had a headache twice this week; when should I let you know?” Context helps your doctor or midwife give you a clearer answer.
4. Sort them before your appointment. Go through your list the day before your check-up. Cross out the questions you've already found answers to and put the three most important ones first. Even if time runs short, the thing you most want to know will have been covered.
5. Note the answers straight away. As soon as you leave the appointment, write the answers under each question. Add any new questions to the end of the list for your next check-up.

Example questions for each stage

Your questions change at each stage of pregnancy. Pick the examples below that fit you and add your own; you don't have to ask all of them.

• First appointment: How often will my check-ups be? Which screening tests are recommended, and when are they done? What should I do about the medicines and supplements I'm taking? Who can I contact if I have a question between appointments?
• Mid-pregnancy: What do my test and screening results mean? From when, and how, should I keep an eye on my baby's movements? What should I keep in mind about staying active and exercising? When do antenatal classes start?
• Final weeks: How will I know labour has started, and what should I do then? How can I share my preferences for the birth? When should I come to the hospital? What can I expect in the first days after the birth?

The NHS also points out that appointments are a chance to ask questions and talk about any worries. Decisions like starting, stopping or changing a medicine, though, aren't something to make on your own from your list; always make them after talking to your doctor or pharmacist. To organise your check-up dates, see Keeping pregnancy check-up dates in one calendar.

At the appointment and afterwards

Preparing the list is half the job; the other half is using it in the room. Saying “I have a few questions” at the start of the appointment makes it easier to plan the time together.

• Keep your list in your hand or open on your screen, and work through it in order.
• If you don't understand an answer, don't hesitate to ask for it to be explained again.
• If someone is with you, you can ask them to note down the answers.
• Write down the date of your next check-up and anything you need to do before then.

After the appointment, keeping the answers together with your weekly notes makes it easier to see how things change over your pregnancy. For this, you can use the suggestions in Pregnancy journal: what to write in your weekly notes.

When shouldn't you wait for your next appointment?

Your question list is for things you're curious about that aren't urgent. When something worries you about your health or your baby's health, don't add it to the list and wait for your appointment. The NHS also says that in a situation like this you can contact your maternity unit or care team without waiting for your next appointment.

At one of your first appointments, ask your doctor or midwife who to call for which symptoms, and save the numbers somewhere easy to find. If something frightens you, such as severe pain, bleeding or a change you notice in your baby's movements, call your doctor or maternity unit without delay; in an emergency, call your country's emergency number. Days when you're struggling with your mood aren't something to put on the list and postpone either; you can talk about them openly with your doctor or midwife too.

Keeping your questions and check-ups in Oveluni

In Oveluni, pregnancy tracking sits within the Women's Health area of your Women's Profile. You can record your check-ups with Add a visit in the Quick add menu and set a reminder; no reminder ever completes a check-up automatically. You can jot down questions as soon as they come to you with A note, and add the answers you get after the appointment to that visit's note.

In the Calendar you see your check-ups and notes together. With the “Hide check-up and pregnancy details” option in Notification Privacy, your notifications arrive on the lock screen without showing any details. For details, see the Women's Profile page. Oveluni is coming soon to the App Store.

Sources

1. NHS: Antenatal care and appointments
2. MedlinePlus: Prenatal care