If You Score a Positive Pregnancy Test, You May be Wondering What to Do Next. Here are the Next Steps:
1. Do a Little Dance (If It’s a Happy Surprise).
Note: If the positive pregnancy test comes as a complete shock, take a deep breath (or several) and reach out to an OB/GYN.
FYI: It’s not completely unheard of for women to get pregnant while they’re on “the pill.” Get Wiser about what to do if this happens to you.
2. Calculate Your Due Date. Here’s How.
3. Pick a Doctor or a Midwife to Manage Your Prenatal Care and Delivery.
Get Wise about the different types of prenatal healthcare providers and how to choose the right one for you.
4. Schedule Your First Prenatal Appointment With Your Chosen Practitioner.
5. And…Breathe…
Sanity Check: The steps above don’t have to happen all at once!
A Note About Scheduling Your First Prenatal Appointment
There’s some variation between practices re: the timing of the first prenatal visit.
If you get a positive result on your home pregnancy test, call your chosen provider and see when they want you to come in.
- Some doctors will want you to confirm the pregnancy with a blood test (which measures human chorionic gonadotropin – aka hCG – levels) before scheduling the first visit.
Others will want you to schedule your first prenatal visit ASAP.
Insider Info: The initial visit typically takes place between 6-10 weeks of pregnancy, if not before.
- There’s also some variation in terms of when the first ultrasound is done and how many ultrasounds are performed during the pregnancy. Ask your provider about their approach to prenatal ultrasounds.
The Bottom Line
If you get a positive pregnancy test, call your designated prenatal healthcare provider to schedule your first prenatal visit.
