It is totally natural to experience a range of emotions after receiving a positive test result. You could be elated one minute and weeping the next – and not always pleasant tears. Even if you’ve been becoming close to your partner for several months, a positive pregnancy test might come as a surprise. You may even find yourself doubting the test’s correctness and take five more before you finally believe the findings. Regardless matter where you are on the emotional roller coaster, one thing is certain: you have a lot of questions about what to do next. What’s the good news? There are professionals, internet resources, and other parents who can help you through this process. With that in mind, here’s what you should know about a positive pregnancy test – and what you should do next.
What happens now that you have a positive pregnancy test?
OB-GYN Kecia Gaither, director of perinatal services at NYC Health + Hospitals, said that while not as reliable as blood tests, home pregnancy tests have been very successful—97 percent effective. Your doctor may order an in-office pregnancy test, which will measure the exact amount of hCG in your blood. Gaither claims these blood tests are 99 percent accurate in practice. Many women suffer symptoms before discovering a positive pregnancy test. In fact, unusual desires, cravings, and nauseating emotions are frequently the reason many expecting mothers take a pregnancy test. If your menstruation is regular, a missing cycle might be your first indication that a positive pregnancy test is imminent. You can even believe that you reside in the bathroom. Increased blood flow to your pelvic region (thanks, hormones!) causes frequent visits to the toilet. Your kidneys have to work harder to handle all of the additional fluid, which means you have to pee more frequently.
Make a prenatal care appointment
It’s time to schedule a prenatal care visit to ensure a safe pregnancy. Each provider has different expectations about when you should arrive for your first visit. Some may request that you wait until after week 8, while others may request that you come in right away. Gaither advises you might expect the following on your first appointment: A medical and social history, including a reproductive and gynecologic history, as well as a family history, are required:
- Physical examination;
- Battery of blood tests to date the pregnancy;
- This is also the moment to inform your doctor or midwife of any drugs you are currently taking. They will assess if your existing drugs are safe to continue or whether a new prescription that is safer to use while pregnant should be prescribed.
Remember that hcg calculator tools and hCG level charts can assist you in learning more about the role of hCG in pregnancy. However, they are intended for informative reasons and are not a substitute for medical advice or a self-diagnosis tool. When it comes to tracking and discussing hCG development, your doctor should always be your first point of call.
Allow yourself some time to acclimatize to the news
When reality strikes in, take a deep breath, relax, and be kind with yourself. Even planned pregnancies might result in emotional highs and lows. If you have a partner or spouse, your first step should be to sit down and have an open discussion. Inform them of your feelings. Be forthright and honest about any concerns, worries, or anxieties you may be experiencing. They’re probably experiencing comparable emotions. Share your emotions with your healthcare practitioner at your first prenatal appointment. They can comfort you that what you’re going through is normal and, in fact, rather common. You can also rely on close friends and relatives, particularly other parents who have been through similar experiences.
