• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Patient Forms
  • Request an Appointment
  • Patient Portal
blogfacebook
University OB/GYN Associates
  • Home
  • Meet the Physicians
    • Rinki Agarwal, MD
    • Timothy Bussert, MD
    • Douglas Bunn, MD
    • John Nosovitch, MD
    • Maureen Burke, MD
    • Brian Thompson, MD
    • Robert Eden, MD
    • Dimitrios Mastrogiannis, MD/PhD
    • Allison Roy, MD
    • Richard Semeran, MD
    • Mary Cunningham, MD
    • George Stanley, MD
    • Jayne Charlamb, MD
  • Meet the Advanced Practice Providers
  • Services
    • Gynecology
    • Obstetrics
    • Breast Health
    • Gynecologic Cancer and Gynecology Oncology Program
    • Maternal & Fetal Medicine
    • Family Planning
  • Locations
  • Contact Us

What to Do After You Get a Positive Pregnancy Test?

April 13, 2018

Positive White Plastic Pregnancy Test Isolated on White Background.

When your period is late, the first thing you might think is, “Could I be pregnant?” To be sure, you go to your local drugstore to purchase a couple of at home pregnancy tests. After urinating on the pregnancy stick, you wait a few minutes, and sure enough, multiple tests show positive, meaning that you are in fact, pregnant.

An at home pregnancy test works by detecting a hormone in your urine called Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG). You may have heard of hCG (or certainly the hCG diet). This is the hormone that helps your body burn stored fat, and turn food into energy, and boosts your metabolism in order to lose weight. hCG in regard to pregnancy, is a hormone produced in a women’s placenta, which helps to nourish and protect the unborn fetus as it grows and develops into a healthy newborn baby.

This hormone will appear in a pregnant woman’s urine approximately 20 days after her last period. If the test is done too early, there is a chance it could be a false negative. It is best to wait 21-25 days after your last period to take the test, or approximately three weeks after you last had sex.

After a positive pregnancy test, it is normal to feel a slew of emotions, including happiness and joy as well as worries, doubts, and anxiety. Whether this was a planned pregnancy or not, you are going to have a baby, and that can be overwhelming. There are a few important next steps you should think about and take after confirming the pregnancy at home. If you are like many women, you might not be sure what to do next. Here are some important things to do when your pregnancy test is positive.

1.     Visit your gynecologist ASAP: If your pregnancy test indicates positive, it is important to visit your gynecologist as soon as possible.  Because at-home pregnancy tests can sometimes be inaccurate, your gynecologist will confirm pregnancy with a blood test. In addition, your doctor will perform a thorough pelvic exam, calculate a due date, and schedule your pre-natal follow-up appointments. They will also discuss any health problems you may have, that might put you and your baby at a higher risk during the pregnancy. Your gynecologist can also answer many questions for you about what to expect over the next 9 months, and help ease your mind.

2.     Stop taking certain medications: Stop taking birth control and over-the-counter medications such as painkillers or pain-relieving drugs after receiving a positive pregnancy test. Medications with the exception of Acetaminophen, should be avoided as it may cause complications during pregnancy. If you take prescription medications, discuss them all with your gynecologist to ensure they are safe to continue during your pregnancy.

3.     Start taking pre-natal vitamins: Embrace being healthy as soon as possible if it is confirmed you are pregnant. Taking pre-natal vitamins and other nutrients will help your body nourish the baby. Eating a healthy diet is also important to keep your body healthy, and help you feel less fatigued and more energized during the pregnancy.

4.     Stop Smoking: If you smoke, quit immediately. Tobacco has been linked to premature birth, low birth weights, and can cause birth defects, and increase the risk for stillbirth.

5.     Stop Drinking Alcohol: Do not drink alcohol at any time during your pregnancy, as it causes birth defects.   

To learn more about what to do after receiving a positive at-home pregnancy test, call University OB/GYN Associates at (315) 464-5162 to request an appointment or request an appointment online.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Obstetrics Tagged With: positive pregnancy test, Pregnancy Testing, prenatal care

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • Birth Control
  • Breast Health
  • Cervical Cancer
  • Collagen Injections
  • Diabetes
  • Fertility
  • General
  • Gynecological Cancer
  • Gynecological Disorders
  • Gynecologist
  • High-Risk Pregnancy
  • HPV
  • Infertility
  • Menopause
  • Menstrual Cycle
  • Nutritional Counseling
  • Obstetrics
  • Ovarian Cysts
  • Preeclampsia
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Care
  • Reproductive Health
  • STD/STI
  • Urogynecology
  • Uterine Prolapse
  • Women's Health
April 2018
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30  
« Mar   May »

TAGS

birth control breast cancer cervical cancer Fertility gynecologist Gynecologist center gynecologist clinic Gynecologist in Syracuse gynecologist near me Gynecologist Syracuse NY gynecologist  visit gynecology high-risk pregnancy HPV Infertility Menopause OB/GYN OB/GYN in Syracuse OB/GYN near me OB/GYN services Near Me OB/GYN Syracuse NY OBGYN OBGYN in Syracuse NY obgyn near me ObGyn Syracuse NY obstetrician Obstetrician in Syracuse NY obstetrician near me obstetrician Syracuse NY obstetrics ovarian cancer pregnancy Pregnant prenatal care Reproductive Health Sexual Health STDs symptoms treatment for a urogynecology issue in Syracuse NY treatment for a urogynecology issue near me University OB/GYN Associates womens health Women’s Health Doctor Women’s Health Doctor in Syracuse New York Women’s Health Doctor near me

Footer

Request an Appointment

Request an Appointment

Upstate University HospitalCrouse Hospital

  • Home
  • Meet the Physicians
  • Meet the Advanced Practice Providers
  • Services
  • Locations
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Employee Remote Access
  • ADA Disclosure
  • HIPAA Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • blogfacebook
  • Copyright © 2023 · University OB/GYN Associates · All Rights Reserved

  • iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

We are offering Women's Health care services - Gynecology, Obstetrics, Breast Health, Gynecologic Cancer And Gynecology Oncology Program, Maternal & Fetal Medicine & Family Planning at University of OB/GY Associates in Syracuse, New York.