When you see a positive pregnancy test stick, you have to make sure that it’s actually accurate before you start jumping for joy. The first thing you should do is call your doctor or midwife to confirm what the results are and when a good time would be for you to go in for an accurate ultrasound. It typically takes one or two days to confirm the results with your practice, but depending upon your case, they may be able to see you sooner if necessary – though this is not always the case because of their busy schedule planning. Don’t worry though because patience will pay off! It’s best if you start learning how important it is right now so that as your pregnancy progresses and hormones take over, it doesn’t get the best of you.
You’ll want to meet with your midwife or OB / GYN as soon as you can, but probably not until after you first meet with his/her office staff. The first appointment that gets scheduled should be a chance for them to gather everything from the patient about their medical history and parent’s information to help prepare and be prepared for their checkup. Make sure that all this collected information is recorded because it’s important for them to have relevant facts at hand before scheduling their next appointment!
Before your appointment, it is a good idea to make two lists. The first one contains questions you want to ask the doctor and the second is of goodies you’d like to receive as a token of appreciation for making the trip. Goodies usually include pamphlets that describe how prenatal care works as well as coupons! After your appointment, remember to go over all the information with your mate and jot down any questions or concerns you have so that you can ask them when you come back for your next appointment, which should be about a month away time-wise.
Prenatal vitamins may cause adverse reactions in some women, especially those with certain health conditions. In these cases, it will be important to check with your doctor or midwife that the brand of prenatal vitamins you are taking is carefully monitored due to the specific circumstances they might pose.
When you’re pregnant, your doctor may recommend an ultrasound to ensure the baby is growing as it should be. The first ultrasound is usually done around 20 weeks to confirm the baby’s gender and that everything with the pregnancy is progressing accordingly. Throughout your pregnancy, it is not uncommon for you to have several tests performed prior to giving birth. Don’t worry, these screenings are only conducted with caution to ensure your little one remains healthy within this crucial time of development.
During your first few months of pregnancy, you will most likely be seeing your doctor or midwife once a week. You will continue to see them every week up until 32 weeks and after that, two times a week. If your pregnancy continues past 40 weeks, and this isn’t your first time giving birth, it is most likely that you may need an appointment every couple of days to ensure the health of both you and your newborn baby. Keep track of all appointments by visiting our Maternity Resource website for step-by-step advice during each trimester of pregnancy!
