That first at-home pregnancy test just produced a positive result, and so did the second and third ones you took just to make sure! This is an important time in the health and development of your baby. After you share the good news with your partner, there are some important things you’ll want to do next.
First up, says CentraState obstetrician/gynecologist Charlsie Celestine, MD, is to make your first prenatal appointment with your obstetrician six to eight weeks after the first day of your last period.
During those first few days after your positive pregnancy test and before your first prenatal appointment, Dr. Celestine advises the following:
- Start taking prenatal vitamins. Prenatal vitamins support the mom’s nutritional needs during pregnancy and provide benefits for the baby, including decreasing the risk of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, and helping the baby develop healthy bones, muscle function, vision and brain growth.
- Quit smoking, vaping and using other tobacco products. Nicotine, which is present in tobacco and vaping materials, can affect the fetus’s brain development; raise the risk of preterm birth, low birthweight and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) after birth; and cause poor lung function, visual problems and birth defects.
- Give up drinking alcohol. No amount is safe. Drinking during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol syndrome, a disorder characterized by stunted growth, neurobehavioral disorders and facial abnormalities. Alcohol exposure can also cause developmental delays, hyperactivity, low IQ, learning disorders, and speech and language delays.
- Stop using recreational drugs. A fetus exposed to drugs in the uterus can suffer from birth defects and withdrawal symptoms at birth, poor growth, behavioral issues and cognitive problems.
- Drink coffee and other caffeinated beverages in moderation (no more than two 6-ounce cups per day). Caffeine crosses the placenta, and large amounts can cause fast heartbeats and other heart rhythm disorders in the fetus.
- Keep saltines handy and eat small meals to help with “morning sickness.”
- Avoid foods that can harbor bacteria or can be toxic to your baby: sushi, deli meats, unpasteurized cheese, and fish that can contain high levels of mercury (swordfish, tilefish, mackerel).
- Stay hydrated by drinking eight to 12 cups (64 to 96 ounces) of plain water, sparkling water or seltzer every day.
- Review your health insurance coverage to determine if your obstetrician and the hospital where the doctor delivers babies is in your network.
Your First Prenatal Visit
Six to eight weeks into your first trimester, you will see your obstetrician for your first prenatal visit. This will consist of:
- A vaginal exam
- Pap smear and HPV test (if not performed recently)
- An ultrasound to confirm the fetus’s location, size and heartbeat
- Your and your partner’s personal and family medical history
- Information about breastfeeding, diet, medications, exercise and vaccines
- A discussion about genetic counseling and testing
“Make sure you are comfortable with your doctor and others in the practice because one of the partners may be the one who delivers your baby depending on the practice’s methods,” says Dr. Celestine.
Above all, she says, give yourself time to rest and enjoy the many exciting moments of early pregnancy: “The beginning and the end of pregnancy are usually the hardest, because you are growing a little human and that takes a lot of energy!”
CentraState’s First Impressions Maternity Center
Learn more about CentraState’s First Impressions Maternity Center and access a list of the medical center’s obstetricians.
