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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYou're likely to start by talking with your family doctor or pregnancy care provider. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
Before your appointment:
- Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including when they first started and how they've changed over time.
- Write down key personal information, including any other medical conditions for which you're being treated.
- Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements you're taking.
- Ask a friend or family member to accompany you, if possible, to your appointment. Having someone else there may help you remember something that you forgot or missed.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time with your doctor. For polyhydramnios, some basic questions to ask include:
- What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
- What kind of tests do I need?
- What needs to be done now?
- What treatment approach do you recommend?
- Do I need to follow any restrictions?
- What emergency signs and symptoms should I watch for at home?
- How will this condition affect my baby?
- Do you have any brochures or printed material that I can take along with me? What websites do you recommend for more information?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment if you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor will likely perform a physical exam and run some tests, including an ultrasound exam. He or she may also ask you a number of questions, such as:
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous, or occasional?
- Do you have shortness of breath?
- Are you experiencing any lightheadedness or dizziness?
- Have you noticed an increase in swelling? Does it seem like you're retaining more fluid than usual?
- What, if anything, seems to make your symptoms better?
- What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
- Beloosesky R, et al. Polyhydramnios. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 5, 2011.
- Cunningham FG, et al. Disorders of amniotic fluid volume. In: Cunningham FG, et al. Williams Obstetrics. 23rd edition. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=6026246. Accessed Oct. 6, 2011.
- Polyhydramnios. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/complications_polyhydramnios.html. Accessed Oct. 6, 2011.
- Ross MG, et al. National institute of child health and development conference summary: Amniotic fluid biology - basic and clinical aspects. The Journal of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. 2001;10:2.
- Gilbert WM. Amniotic fluid disorders. In: Gabbe SG, et al. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-4/0/1528/0.html. Accessed Oct. 6, 2011.
- Strehlow SL, et al. Diabetes mellitus & pregnancy. In: DeCherney AH, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment Obstetrics & Gynecology. 10th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=9. Accessed Oct. 10, 2011.
- Carlo WA. High-risk pregnancies. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1608/0.html. Accessed Oct. 11, 2011.
- Screening for birth defects. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/faq/faq165.cfm. Accessed Oct. 10, 2011.
- Special tests for monitoring fetal health. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/faq/faq098.cfm. Accessed Oct. 10, 2011.
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