Positive Pregnancy Test? Next Stop: Your Doctor

If this is your first time to get a positive pregnancy test, you are likely swimming in emotions. In the midst of all that excitement and anticipation, you may also be wondering what, exactly, should happen next. 

Your first step is to make an appointment with an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN). This is the doctor who will guide your medical care during and after the pregnancy. The prenatal care is one of the most important things you can do to increase your chances of having a trouble-free pregnancy. You will have many appointments with your OB-GYN over the next nine months to help keep you and your baby healthy.

When To Call? Earlier Is Always Better

Schedule an appointment with your OB-GYN as soon as you know you are pregnant. Early and regular prenatal care is the best way to reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy and birth.  

Your doctor will want to see you as soon as possible — typically within six to eight weeks of your last menstrual period. This is the ideal window for your first ultrasound which estimates the date of conception and the date your baby will be due. This imaging scan is performed in the first trimester (before 12 weeks) to calculate those dates and look for potential concerns. 

What If I Don’t Have an OB-GYN?

If you don’t have an OB-GYN, make an appointment with your primary care physician to ask for a referral. Your doctor will provide you with a list of recommended OB-GYNs who accept your health insurance and provide a referral, if needed. 

If your health insurance doesn’t require a referral, you can search for local OB-GYNs on your insurance provider’s website. You can also call the number on the back of your insurance card to ask for a list of in-network OB-GYNs. Working with a provider that accepts your insurance will keep your out-of-pocket expenses lower. 

Choosing a provider you trust with your care during pregnancy is a big decision. Some women prefer to get prenatal care from a midwife. The type of practitioner you work with depends on your circumstances, preferences and what makes you feel most comfortable.

What to Expect at Your First Appointment 

At your first prenatal appointment, your doctor will confirm the pregnancy, spend time getting to know you, ask about your family and medical history and assess your overall health. This thorough appointment helps your doctor give you personalized care and identify issues that could affect your pregnancy. 

Here is what you can expect at your first appointment:  

●      Physical examination. Much like a yearly wellness exam, this may include taking your height and weight, checking your breasts, heart and lungs, measuring your blood pressure, a pelvic exam if your pap smear is not up to date and assessing the size of your uterus by palpating your abdomen.

●      Take your health history. Your provider will ask a lot of questions about your health and family medical history, including past pregnancies (if applicable) and your lifestyle habits. 

●      Determine due date. If you know the date of your last menstrual period, your provider will calculate your due date based on the information you provide. They will perform a dating ultrasound to confirm the expected date of your baby’s arrival. 

●      Screening tests. Urine and blood tests will be run to screen for health conditions, identify your blood type and check for anemia.

●      Discuss prenatal genetic testing. You will be offered testing to screen for a range of potential genetic disorders and birth defects. Your provider will discuss these tests and explain which ones they recommend, based on various risk factors, including age, health, pregnancy history and family history. You may be referred to a genetic counselor to help you understand your risks and explain test results.

●      Chat about pregnancy topics. You’ll get information on how to best care for yourself and your growing baby. Topics may include a pregnancy-friendly diet, prenatal vitamins, what you can expect as your pregnancy progresses and symptoms of potential complications.

Ask Your OB-GYN These Important Questions

You can also ask pregnancy-related questions and discuss your concerns. 

Questions to consider include: 

●  What can I eat and are there certain foods I should avoid?

●  What prenatal vitamins should I take?

●  What medications and supplements are safe?

●  What exercises can I do and how often?

●  What lifestyle changes do I need to make?

●  What should I do if I experience cramping or bleeding?

●  What is considered an emergency/when should I go to the hospital?

●  When should I start thinking about my birth plan?

●  What can I expect at future appointments? 

Don’t hesitate to bring a list of questions in writing and feel free to take notes on the answers. This will help you remember everything you want to ask, as well as the responses you get.

What Happens Between Your First and Second Appointments?

At each of your prenatal appointments, your healthcare provider will check on the health of you and your baby. In between your first and second appointments, there are certain things to look out for that may be cause for concern. Call your provider if you experience: 

●  Excessive nausea and vomiting

●  Vaginal bleeding and/or cramping

●  Vaginal discharge with an odor or a different color than usual

●  Pain when urinating

●  Fever