The first thing you should do after a positive pregnancy test is to access your current health and resolve to take steps to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Contacting your doctor for a follow-up blood test to confirm the pregnancy is generally the best way to begin caring for your health during this time.
A healthy pregnancy is a result of a variety of factors, including a nutritious diet, appropriate exercise, proper prenatal care and an understanding of your part in caring for yourself during this important time of life. Many resources are available to help you educate yourself about the changes of pregnancy and what you can do care for yourself and your coming baby during these important months.
Scheduling an Appointment with Your Healthcare Provider
According to the Healthline site, home pregnancy tests are about 97 percent accurate, so if your test is positive, it’s generally a sure thing that you are pregnant. However, your doctor will want to do a blood test to confirm the pregnancy and talk to you about your future healthcare needs. At about 8 weeks after your last period, you should see a doctor to being your pregnancy healthcare.
Discussing Prenatal Care Options
Your primary care physician can help you determine the best choice for you in regard to problems or risks that may occur during pregnancy. Obstetrician/gynecologists provide care for a wide range of women’s health, including pregnancy. Certified nurse midwives specialize in care during pregnancy. Family nurse practitioners provide a range of healthcare, including for pregnancy. Family physicians can also provide healthcare during pregnancy. Maternal-fetal medical specialists focus on individuals who require specialized care for problems during pregnancy
Starting Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal vitamins can ensure you are getting all the nutrients needed to support your body and the growing fetus during. According to the Mayo Clinic site, these vitamins are carefully formulated to provide the appropriate amount of supplementation for the greatest benefit, including folic acid, which is so important for fetal development.
Adopting Healthy Habits
Getting a positive pregnancy test can be a good trigger for reviewing your current health habits and recognizing where you can make changes to improve your health for yourself and for your baby.
Balanced Diet
A healthy diet helps to support your body during pregnancy, as well as the developing fetus. You should consume fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, legumes, low-fat dairy foods and healthy oils.
Staying Hydrated
Staying hydrated is important for your health at all times, but particularly important during pregnancy. Your body needs sufficient water to produce extra blood to support the growing fetus, to make the amniotic fluid that protects the fetus in the womb and to carry nutrients to the fetus. ^he WebMD site states hydration is critical for removing toxins from the body to keep you and your baby healthy. Good hydration will also help to improve your digestion during pregnancy.
Preparing for Lifestyle Changes
You can prepare for the many changes in your life by managing your weight carefully, getting sufficient exercise, learning to manage stress and fostering good sleeping habits. Eliminate caffeine, nicotine and alcohol to improve your health and function. Make a habit of adding more self-care into your daily routine.
Educating Yourself About Pregnancy
A broad range of information about pregnancy is available from books, videos and online sources. This information can explain what to expect physically and emotionally during the months of gestation, as well as how to manage health issues that may arise because of your condition.
Finding Support Systems
As in any big life event, having your friends and family to support you during your pregnancy can help to make the experience more enjoyable, more comfortable and more meaningful.
Family and Friends
Your family members and close friends can offer important physical and emotional support during the months of pregnancy and after the birth. These individuals are likely to be most consistently on hand to offer help and advice when needed.
Support Groups
Pregnancy support groups can be a helpful resource for you emotionally and psychologically during the many changes that occur during pregnancy. Individuals in your group are going through the same experiences and can offer advice and encouragement.
Sharing the News
Sharing the happy news of a pregnancy is one of the most natural inclinations, but it’s a good idea to think about who and when you inform people about your condition and the changes in your life that will occur because of it.
Who to Tell
Of course, you will want to tell your family, friends and close co-workers about the upcoming happy event. These individuals will play an important part in supporting your during the months of gestation, as well as after the birth of your child. If you are employed, you should also tell your boss about the pregnancy, to allow them to make arrangements for your absences to attend prenatal care visits and for your maternity leave after the birth of your child.
Timing of Sharing
Most people wait until the 2nd trimester to tell people outside the family about a pregnancy. The Cleveland Clinic site states that most miscarriages occur during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, so waiting until the end of this period will ensure you don’t have to deliver disappointing news if it does not work out.
Embracing Your Pregnancy Journey
Pregnancy is a unique time of your life, when the health decisions you make on a day-to-day basis affect not only you, but also another person. Your body changes, and your mental focus changes as well, with more serious priorities and less focus on your own needs and desires
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after a positive pregnancy test should I see a doctor?
You should call your doctor immediately after a positive pregnancy test to get a blood test to confirm the result. At that time, you can then make an appointment for about 8 weeks into the pregnancy to begin your prenatal care.
What is the next step after a pregnancy test is positive?
The first step after receiving a positive pregnancy test is to seek out medical care and resolve to do all that is necessary to achieve a health pregnancy and successful birth.