Once you’ve seen that little ‘plus’ sign on your home pregnancy test stating that you are, in fact, pregnant, you should have it confirmed by a doctor. Results can take anywhere from a day to a week or two to come back, depending on your doctor and how busy things are. Waiting for the results can be very difficult, but keep in mind that home pregnancy tests are extremely accurate and the results you get from your doctor are likely to confirm the results shown by your home pregnancy test.
Make an appointment with your OB/GYN or midwife as soon as you can. If this is the first time you’ve met your doctor or midwife then they’ll want to get to know all about your medical history, including any previous pregnancies, family illnesses, etc. It will make things much easier if you go in prepared, so if you can write all the information you can think of down on some paper to bring with you for your first visit. It’s also a good idea to jot down any questions or concerns that you may have so that you don’t forget to ask them when it’s time for the meeting.
Don’t ever feel like you’re asking a silly question: doctors have seen and heard it all and are well prepared to answer any question you may have. You’ll likely get a pile of pamphlets and booklets when you leave, all about what to expect when you’re pregnant. Make sure to read them all! They’re full of great information, and sometimes even include some great coupons for items you’ll need. Your doctor will start scheduling regular meetings with you from this point on for the remainder of your pregnancy.
Prenatal vitamins are extremely important during pregnancy, so make sure that you take yours regularly. Your baby will thank you for it! Talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have about taking these vitamins as she’ll likely be able to suggest a good alternative.
Expect your first ultrasound around week 20. Depending on where you live and the rules for your State/Province, it’s around this time that you can learn the sex of your baby if you wish. Don’t be surprised if the technician doesn’t tell you though - some places aren’t allowed to say anymore due to the fear of telling you one thing and having the baby surprise everyone when it pops out.
You will likely be asked to take an orange drink at some point early in your pregnancy. This is a test to see if you currently have or are at risk of developing gestational diabetes. You’ll wait around for an hour to three hours, at which point your blood gets drawn and you can go home.
Your regular doctor appointments will continue to be about 4 weeks apart until you hit the 36 week mark, at which point they increase in frequency to every two weeks. When you get very close to your due date your doctor will likely want to see you every week until the baby is born. By now you should be preparing to have the baby. It’s natural to have some anxiety towards the end of your pregnancy, but you’ve come this far and the reward is more than worth it!