A positive pregnancy test result is the first step in your parenthood jouey. Let’s see what to do next while you’re in it to make it more delightful.
What happens now that I have a positive pregnancy test?
For many mothers, nothing beats receiving your first positive pregnancy test result. You'll never forget the excitement of receiving the news and realising that a little life is growing inside you. It represents a new chapter in your life as well as the beginning of your family's growth.
It is fantastic to be excited and anticipate something. However, this fantastic news means you should begin safeguarding your health and that of your unborn child.
What are the initial symptoms of pregnancy?
Aside from taking a home pregnancy test, there are several telltale signs that can tell you that you're pregnant. While some women have several symptoms, some may not experience any symptoms at all. The symptoms normally begin about six weeks following the last menstrual cycle.
- Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Bloating
- Breasts that are painful or swollen
- Darkening of the skin surrounding the nipples
- Fatigue
- Food cravings and dislikes
- Frequent urination
- Nausea with or without vomiting
- Sensitivity to particular odours
Notify your OB/GYN immediately if you experience light vaginal bleeding.
Also Read: What is HCG? Role of the Pregnancy Hormone Explained
Your initial prenatal consultation and thereafter
It's crucial to schedule a visit with an OB/GYN as soon as you become pregnant, particularly if you're over 35 or have a history of high-risk pregnancies, such as a prior miscarriage, C-section, or other difficulties.
You'll have a thorough physical examination and talk about any risk factors in your medical history during that initial session. The date of your most recent menstrual cycle is typically utilized by your doctor to calculate the age of the pregnancy. An ultrasound will be scheduled if you don't know when you last had your period.
Although it's not always necessary, the first vaginal ultrasound should be performed during the first trimester. It is crucial for determining the baby's size, detecting the fetal heartbeat, verifying viability, and making sure the fertilised egg has correctly implanted inside the uterus.
An ultrasound at this time is the most precise technique to tell how far along the pregnancy is. The measurement becomes less precise after the first trimester. To guarantee that the baby is carried as close to full term as possible, we must be precise.
Until you are 30 to 32 weeks pregnant, you will visit your doctor once a month. At that time, appointments will be every two weeks. Visits are scheduled to change to weekly at 37-40 weeks before delivery.
Also Read: Ectopic Pregnancy: Symptoms, Causes, & How It's Treated
Typical pregnancy-related health risks
An OB/GYN is constantly on the lookout for a number of health issues throughout pregnancy. At all times, doctors look for elevated blood pressure. It is common in first pregnancies, teen pregnancies, and pregnancies in which the mother is older than 35.
Additional risks include:
- Pregnancy-related diabetes, also known as gestational diabetes.
- Preterm labour, that may result from urinary tract infections.
- Preeclampsia, a condition indicated by increased blood pressure and protein in the urine that can reduce blood supply to the placenta and infant. It limits development and decreases amniotic fluid.
- Weight gain- Gaining about 25 pounds is the goal. Exceeding that increases the risk of gestational diabetes and hypertension. It also enhances the chance for a large baby that might lead to problems during delivery or include the need for a C-section.
Also Read: How to Deal with Two Weeks Wait
Pregnancy and nutrition
Your nutrition is crucial, of course. You’re now eating for two. During this period, it's normal to experience cravings for particular meals. Nutritional inadequacies could be the cause of these urges. Sometimes, though, some dishes just seem delicious.
It's crucial to eat what sounds good because many pregnant women experience nausea. That way you make sure you’re getting at least some nutrients.
However, you must ensure you are receiving specific nutrients through your diet like:
Protein: It is necessary for the growth of an unborn child.
Fibre: It keeps constipation at bay.
Prenatal vitamins: They are beneficial to both the mother's health and the baby's development. If the woman has to take any additional vitamin or mineral supplements, an OB/GYN will advise her.
You may have desires for sweets, but it’s vital not to overdo it owing to the risk for gestational diabetes. Avoiding raw foods like raw fish and undercooked pork is also crucial. They may occasionally harbour parasites.
Also Read: How to get pregnant after 40?
Things to Avoid
It should go without saying that alcohol and tobacco use should be completely avoided when pregnant. Preterm births and stillbirths can result from smoking, including tobacco, marijuana, and vaping.
Foetal alcohol syndrome can be brought on by alcohol consumption. It results in different physical flaws and issues in the brain and central nervous system.
A maximum of one cup of caffeine should be consumed per day. A baby's growth and development issues have been connected to exceeding that threshold, which also increases the chance of hypertension.
Pregnancy-related exercise
Exercise is almost always advised for both mental and physical well-being, but it gets harder as pregnancy goes on. For this reason, physicians advise expecting moms to be cautious and stay away from vigorous, high-impact activities.
Running is generally not advised in the later stages of pregnancy, but it is OK in the early months. You don't want to run the danger of getting hurt if you fall. Stretching, Pilates, walking, aerobics, and utilising dumbbells are examples of safer exercises.
Prenatal courses
For first-time parents, prenatal classes are an excellent educational opportunity. Around the sixth month of pregnancy, these lessons are typically advised. They teach breastfeeding techniques, pain management techniques, and what to anticipate during labour and delivery, among other things.
Also Read: What is the IVF process step by step?
Immunisations
Every pregnant woman should have the COVID-19, Tdap, and flu vaccines, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The flu vaccine protects you and your baby from the seasonal flu. The Tdap vaccine protects kids from pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus and diphtheria. Additionally, the COVID-19 vaccination is advised for expecting mothers who have not previously received it.
