Your first prenatal appointment can be a big one, especially as a surrogate. You may be a little lost as to where to start in terms of questions you should ask — luckily, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of the best burning questions to ask your healthcare provider when your pregnancy test comes back positive.
1. Should I make any dietary changes?
Your care provider will likely follow this question with questions about your regular diet. As you probably know, certain foods can be either beneficial or harmful to a healthy pregnancy. Your doctor will be able to tell you which foods to cut out, but will also suggest some high in things like folic and omega acids, which are crucial to a healthy pregnancy.
2. Are over-the-counter medications safe?
Have your doctor review any over-the-counter medications you take regularly. There are plenty of over the counter options that will still work for you, but non-medical options (like using saline drops and a humidifer for a stuffy nose) could also be a good option. Having a good doula can also help you explore your options.
3. Are you accustomed to working with surrogates?
Many doctors are surrogacy-friendly, but it helps to see one regularly that is accustomed to the specific nuances and needs of the gestational surrogacy process. Make sure to ask your doctor if they’re comfortable working with a gestational surrogate.
4. Is there a good way to reach you after office hours?
For emergencies, it’s always best to immediately seek medical treatment. But for non-pressing questions, there may be an after-hours line for your doctor or their office. Check to see what your options are regarding contacting your care provider outside of regularly scheduled times.
5. Are there any common symptoms I should look out for?
Knowing when to worry is important, but also knowing when not to worry can free up your time and headspace to do other important things. Pregnancy changes your body, and some of those changes can feel strange or uncomfortable — but many of them are also perfectly normal. Your doctor will be able to walk you through exactly what to expect for things like morning sickness, aches and pains, hot flashes, and more. And they’ll be able to tell you when to reach out for other, less standard symptoms, too.
6. Do I need to make any prescription changes?
Upon hearing about your surrogacy journey, your doctor will review any medications you’re currently on and make changes accordingly. From they’ll, they’ll review your medical history and suggest viable options for any medications that aren’t safe to take while pregnant.
7. Is it still OK to have sex?
In most cases, it’s perfectly fine to have sex during pregnancy, but checking in with a provider who understands your medical history can give you a better answer to this question. If you’re feeling out-of-sorts in this area, talking to a medical provider may be able to provide some answers as well.
8. Can I keep working out?
Again, in most cases, you can certainly continue to keep working out, but a doctor will be able to advise you on the sorts of workouts that are safe, and will tell you when you may need to cut back. You should immediately stop any high-impact activities, and ask your doctor about anything you’re unsure of.
9. Are there any stretches or exercises I can do at home while expecting?
Pregnancy sometimes comes with an assortment of aches and pains. Luckily, there’s some exercises that will help ease them. Healthline has a great list: https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/stretches
If you’re experiencing chronic aches and pains that don’t feel normal or are exceedingly painful, immediately consult your care provider.
10. Does my medical history suggest any complications?
Surrogates are screened exhaustively to make sure they’re ready for pregnancy, but asking your care provider this can still be illuminating as to any extra precautions you may need to take while pregnant. Ask your care provider about any previous medical complications you may have had, and how that may affect your pregnancy.
Both surrogacy and pregnancy are complex journeys, and you’re bound to have about a million questions about them. Having access to a support system that includes a primary care provider and a team of other professionals well-versed in those processes can help you navigate any burning questions you may have.
If you’ve got any questions on the surrogacy journey, reach out to us and we’ll be happy to help you. And if you’re ready to start your surrogacy journey, apply today here: bit.ly/lksurrapp.