Seeing those two little pink lines show up on your pregnancy test can leave your heading spinning with lots of confusing thoughts and questions. Whether you were hoping to get that positive pregnancy test or it was completely unexpected, you may be left wondering: “I got a positive pregnancy test. What do I do now?”
You don’t have to figure it out all alone. Start with a few practical steps to confirm that you really are pregnant, understand the timeline of your pregnancy, and connect with the right care and support.
1. Make Sure You Read the Pregnancy Test At the Right Time
Before you do anything else, make sure that you have followed the right instructions for the pregnancy test you took.
Home pregnancy tests detect hCg, which is a hormone produced when you are pregnant. When these are used correctly, a false positive is rare. However, the FDA emphasizes that following the manufacturer’s instructions, including the specified time for reading your result, is very important for accuracy.
In other words, don’t take a test, forget about it on the bathroom counter, and come back much later to interpret what you see. Different brands have different instructions and reading windows. Use the result that appears within the timeframe specified on your test.
If you’re unsure whether you performed or read the test correctly, take another test according to the package directions or contact a healthcare provider.
2. Call a Healthcare Provider After a Positive Pregnancy Test
One of the most common questions about what to do after a positive pregnancy test is also one of the simplest: Who am I supposed to call?
You have a few options.
- An OB-GYN specializes in women’s reproductive health, and an obstetrician (OB) specifically provides care during pregnancy and childbirth. Many practices combine obstetrics and gynecology.
- If you don’t already have an OB-GYN or have never seen one before, that’s okay. You can also contact your primary care provider. They can help you determine your next steps and, when necessary, provide a referral to another provider.
3. Find Out When You Should Have an Ultrasound
Don’t be surprised if you call an OB-GYN immediately after a positive pregnancy test and they don’t schedule your first appointment for that same week.
The timing of your first prenatal appointment and ultrasound can vary based on your medical history, symptoms, provider, and pregnancy. Early prenatal care commonly includes an initial appointment and, when appropriate, an ultrasound to help establish information about the pregnancy.
An ultrasound can provide information that a pregnancy test alone cannot, including helping determine how far along the pregnancy is and where the pregnancy is located. This waiting period is also where Jewel Women’s Center can help those women who are facing unexpected pregnancy and wondering what options they have.
Schedule a Pregnancy Confirmation Appointment With Jewel Women’s Center
If you’re staring at your unexpected positive pregnancy test and thinking, “What do I do now?”, you don’t need to have every answer before you reach out to us.
Jewel Women’s Center offers pregnancy confirmation services and free ultrasounds in a judgement-free environment. If you’re not sure what to do next about your pregnancy or wondering what options you have for this unexpected situation, we can help you with the next steps. Schedule your pregnancy confirmation appointment with Jewel Women’s Center today.