After the First Signs of Pregnancy, What Should You Do?

You think you might be pregnant. You’ve had some of the first signs of pregnancy. So what’s next? Well first of all you need to confirm your suspicions. You can do this easily at home with a home pregnancy test kit available from the chemists. If you are already showing some signs of pregnancy (sore breasts, tasting metal, nausea, missed period etc) then you are probably already at least a couple of weeks pregnant and the test will be accurate. Next you should make an appointment with your GP for your first antenatal check-up. This will probably be arranged for around week eight of your pregnancy. If you don’t know the date of conception (and few people can pin-point it) you can check on an online calculator to see roughly how many weeks pregnant you are and when baby is due. Your GP will discuss what signs of pregnancy you have been displaying and will confirm your due date. For women with low-risk pregnancies most antenatal care is with a GP or midwife. If you are having twins, develop complications or want to arrange an elective Caesarean you may have to see an obstetrician (a hospital doctor who specialises in childbirth) at the beginning and end of your pregnancy. If it’s your first pregnancy, unless you develop some complications, you will probably have around 10 check-ups during your pregnancy. For subsequent babies it could be as few as six. Pregnant women are entrusted with their own medical records to keep them safe at home and take to appointments. It’s a good idea to keep these with you at all times in case you are taken ill away from home and have to see a different doctor. Your first antenatal appointment Your GP will check the following: • What signs of pregnancy you have been showingrn• The date of your last periodrn• Your cervix and uterus with a quick examinationrn• A blood test will probably be done to determine blood type and check for anaemia • A urine test to check for glucose (sugar), white blood cells, blood and bacteria. • There could also be tests for STDs and depending on your particular situation you may also have some genetic testing. This will be the longest of all your antenatal appointments as your GP midwife will want to collect all the data they need for a complete pregnancy record. Yours and your partner’s lifestyles may all be discussed at this early stage. They will discuss any existing medical conditions, family ailments (to establish any genetic risks) and will talk to you about your weight and nutrition. They may also want to discuss birthing options early on so they are prepared (e.g. water birth, home birth, Caesarean). A full medical examination of your blood pressure, heart, lungs, breast and abdomen will also be carried out. This is your opportunity to ask all the questions you want answers to.