When to see a doctor after missed period and positive pregnancy test

Surprise, you’re pregnant! If this truly is a surprise, stay calm, talk with your partner and consider all your options. The truth is no one can tell you exactly what to do after you get a positive pregnancy test. You might be thrilled to begin or increase your family, be upset because it’s a surprise and it’s not part of your plans, or you may have emotions somewhere in between. However you react, here are some guidelines.

See Your Doctor

Even if you had a positive at home test, it is still necessary for you to see your doctor to confirm you are pregnant. You should make the appointment as soon as possible.

Discuss any health issues that could affect your pregnancy like diabetes, hypothyroidism, miscarriages, or other chronic problems. At the same time be sure you are up to date on all vaccinations. Find out your birth date and upcoming schedule for any tests.

In the event you have not planned for this pregnancy and are not ready to make this commitment, talk with your physician about your options.

Take An Honest Look At Life Changes You Will Need To Make

If you want a healthy baby and carry it to term, check off some lifestyle risks.

• If you drink alcohol, that will become a no-no.
• Smoker? You really should quit. Even second hand smoke can affect your little one, so let all your relatives and friends understand they must refrain from smoking around you.
• Illegal drugs will hurt your growing baby. Enough said on that topic.

Begin Taking Prenatal Vitamins

Nutrition is super important now so begin taking folic acid. 600 micrograms per day is necessary to protect your baby from birth defects.

See Your Dentist

Schedule a cleaning and let your dentist know you are pregnant. Bacteria in your mouth and less than excellent oral health habits can affect your growing fetus and cause preterm contractions.

Reevaluate Your Job

If you have a job where heavy lifting is involved, or you must be on your feet for hours, you will need to make some adjustments. Let your boss and human resource rep know you are pregnant and work out a solution.

Take Good Care Of Yourself

Eat healthy whole foods. Get enough sleep, Try not to worry too much. (We know, easier said than done.) Cut down on caffeine a bit as this can affect birth weight, and get enough mild exercise throughout your pregnancy.

Tell The World

Or at least tell your little part of the world that you’re pregnant. Enjoy and celebrate these special months.

Contact Genesee Valley OB/GYN if you suspect you are pregnant.

by Diane Rai |

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

You may feel delighted and overwhelmed by the good news when you first get it, but one of the first things you need to do when you find out you're pregnant, is book an appointment with your doctor.

It's important for your and your growing baby's health to be followed by a doctor as early on in your pregnancy as possible. Even if you were pregnant before, each pregnancy is different and so it's important to see a doctor as soon as you know you're expecting.

Don't wait too long after a missed period to test for pregnancy. Most pregnancy tests will be able to detect the pregnancy hormone hCG by the time you have a missed period.

If you have an irregular cycle, you might not notice that your period is late since it comes at different times. In this case watch out for other pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness, painful breasts, frequent urination or changes to your sense of taste and smell. If you have some of the common pregnancy symptoms, take a home pregnancy test.

It's best to visit your doctor for the first time before you're 8 weeks pregnant. By the time you have a missed period, if your cycle is a regular 28-day cycle, you are already considered to be in your 5th week of pregnancy. This is because your pregnancy week is counted from the first day of your last period. So the week of your last menstrual period (lmp) is week 1. By the time your next period is due, four weeks are completed.

Pregnancy is counted from your last menstrual period (lmp) because it's impossible to know exactly when conception happens.

Why do I need to visit a doctor soon after a pregnancy test?

When you see your doctor after your home pregnancy test shows a positive result, your doctor will:

• Calculate your due date and see how far along in your pregnancy you already are.
• Check for any family or personal health factors, or age-related factors that might pose a pregnancy risk.
• Prescribe several tests that will firstly confirm your pregnancy and then detect any potential health risks for your pregnancy.
• Advise you on prenatal supplements that you need to take as soon as you get pregnant.
• Check that your cervix has closed. During early pregnancy, the cervix (the opening of your uterus) gets closed with thick mucus that forms what is called a mucus plug. This mucus plug seals your womb and acts as a barrier that prevents any bacteria, fungus or anything else from accessing your womb from your vagina. This mucus plug usually stays in place in your cervix till your body gets ready for giving birth.
• If you are already six weeks pregnant, your doctor might also check to hear for your baby's heartbeat.

What doctor should I consult during pregnancy?

Doctors that look after the health of pregnant women are called obstetricians (ob). A gynaecologist (gyn) is a doctor that looks after the general reproductive and sexual health of a woman. An obstetrician specialises in pregnancy health and giving birth.

Most obstetricians will have the qualifications (ob, gyn) next to their name to show that they are both a gynaecologist and obstetrician. If you consult a doctor who is only a gynaecologist, you will need to change doctors when you become pregnant to one that is also an obstetrician.

Know more about how to choose your doctor.

यह लेख हिंदी में पढ़ें!

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