Your Home Pregnancy Test is Positive: What’s Next?
If you took an at-home pregnancy test and it came back positive, you may be going through a roller coaster of emotions. It is natural to also think about what your next step should be in order to take care of yourself and the growing baby inside you. University OBGYN Associates has a few tips on what you should do after getting a positive pregnancy test result at home.
Contact an OB/GYN
Your first step should be contacting an obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) for a prenatal care appointment. If you’re in your first month of pregnancy, your practitioner may ask you to wait for a missed period or two before coming into the office for an appointment. If you feel like the initial appointment is too far away, you should ask your practitioner if there’s any way you can move up the date sooner.
This is especially the case if you have a pre-existing condition like hypertension or diabetes, or if this is your first pregnancy and you have questions. You should also make an appointment if you have unusual symptoms that are worrying you.
Ask Questions
Before your first appointment, take time to think about any questions you have about your pregnancy that you need an answer to immediately. At your first appointment, ask all of your questions. For instance, this may include asking about:
- Any medications you’re on or activities that are safe for you during this time.
- Any symptoms or emotions you are feeling.
- Nutrition, exercise, and any supplements you need to take.
Many women take prenatal vitamins under the direction of their doctor. Your first appointment with your OB/GYN will be lengthy, and you are encouraged to ask as many questions as possible to ensure you have the right information.
Start Eating Healthy and Getting Hydrated
It’s never too early to start eating healthy. After your positive pregnancy test, you should eat a variety of healthy foods. You should incorporate vegetables and fruits, because they have minerals and vitamins that you and your unborn baby need during pregnancy. You also want to consume low-fat proteins and dairy. Also incorporate whole-grain foods into your diet due to their nutrient content. Reduce the number of foods you consume that are high in saturated fat, sodium, or sugar.
If you don’t already drink plenty of water, you should start. Your body needs more water when you’re pregnant. Therefore, you’re more at risk for dehydration now than before you were pregnant if you’re not drinking enough water. Your baby is more prone to neural tube defects as a result of dehydration during pregnancy, among other issues.
Attend Your First Appointment on Schedule
Make sure to keep your first appointment. Many women delay seeing an OB/GYN until a few months into their pregnancy. This is a missed opportunity to ensure you and your baby are and remain healthy. During your initial appointment, your OB/GYN will do a thorough evaluation of your health.
They will also discuss any potential complications and health risks you may have based on your age, existing health conditions, and family history. This will also be a time to determine if you are having a high-risk pregnancy. It is very important that you have this discussion in the beginning of your pregnancy, so you and your doctor know what signs and symptoms to look out for and what steps should be taken to safeguard you.
Reference: Understanding Pregnancy Test Timing
To better understand your results, consider the following information regarding home pregnancy test kits:
| Test Type | Timing for Use | Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| Early hCG Test Kit | Upto 7 days before your actual period | 99.9% Accurate |
| Normal Pregnancy Test Kit | 1 day after your missed period | 99.9% Accurate |
Each pregnancy kit is designed with a control (C) line and a test (T) line to display the results in 5 minutes. If both the C and T line appear, the result is positive. If only the C line appears, the test is negative.
University OB/GYN Associates understands the joy of bringing new life into this world. This is an extremely special journey that you’ll go on, and it is our priority to ensure it goes smoothly and safely for you. We make sure to take all the necessary steps to ensure you have a healthy pregnancy, from your first visit to your last.