My pregnancy test is positive! Now what?

Waiting for the results of your pregnancy test can feel like the longest three minutes ever. But now that you know you're going to be a parent, what should you do next?

Dr Elizabeth de Gouveia, an obstetrician and gynaecologist at Mediclinic Muelmed, advises that you should schedule your first appointment as soon as you’ve missed a period. This helps your doctor accurately estimate how far along you are in your pregnancy. “Gestational age is calculated from the first day of your last period,” she explains.

At your first appointment, one of the things your doctor or gynaecologist will do is work out how far along you are. Dr de Gouveia says this initial visit can be with either of these healthcare professionals, as long as your GP can perform an ultrasound and is qualified to practise obstetric care.

During the appointment, your healthcare provider will ask about your health history. This includes what medications you take, any allergies, past and current health conditions, and your family's medical history. They will focus on your pregnancy history, such as if you've been pregnant before or had trouble conceiving. It’s helpful to know these details beforehand and write them down to give complete answers to your doctor. The more information they have, the better they can manage your pregnancy.

Your healthcare provider will check your blood pressure, do a urine test, and examine your heart and lungs to get an overall picture of your health. They’ll use an ultrasound to calculate the gestational age of the fetus. Depending on how far along you are, you might also have blood tests to find out your blood type and check for any health issues that need treatment.

Although you may be longing to hear your baby’s heartbeat for the first time, you may have to wait a little longer. Dr de Gouveia says this is usually found only at your six-week appointment, when you’ll have a transvaginal ultrasound. In this procedure a small probe is inserted into your vagina to get detailed images of your pelvic organs, including the uterus, ovaries and fetal sac.

Your first appointment is a good time to talk about any concerns you have. Write these down before booking your appointment because you might forget them in the excitement of seeing your baby. Dr de Gouveia mentions that many moms-to-be have questions about diet and lifestyle changes. You might have heard about certain foods to avoid or wonder if you can continue your exercise routine and have sex. Your doctor can give you advice on these topics and tell you about other dos and don’ts. You might also want to discuss your birth plan now that you have a due date.

Questions you might want to ask your gynae at your first consult:

• Do I need to change my diet – what foods do you recommend?
• Should I take any supplements?
• Can I exercise? If yes, what should I keep in mind?
• What symptoms can I expect? What if I think something isn't normal, and when should I call you if I'm worried?
• What if I have health issues already? Will they affect my pregnancy, or will pregnancy affect them? How should I manage this?
• Do you have advice for preparing a birthing plan?
• Can you recommend any antenatal classes?

Keep in mind that you might feel a bit daunted, overwhelmed, or just too excited to remember everything. It's a good idea to have your partner come with you to this appointment. They can take notes for you to look at later and will probably have their own questions, too

This is also an excellent opportunity to find out more about your gynae, so ask them about their approach to pregnancy care. It’s important to work with someone you trust and feel comfortable with during this special time in your life.

If you haven’t yet scheduled your prenatal appointment, visit  www.mediclinic.co.za to find a gynaecologist and obstetrician near you.