What To Do After Pregnancy Test Positive
Mixed emotions such as happy feelings, concerns, doubts, and worries are actually expected if a woman tested positive for pregnancy. Pregnant women find themselves overjoyed in one minute and crying the next moment. Besides this, for a few weeks, they may wonder how to react, behave, and know what to do.
There would be many questions arising amidst this situation. So, the best step a woman can take is to consult a gynaecologist, who provides reproductive health care. Moreover, if you are living in Australia, contact the gynaecologist in Melbourne who will guide you properly in your pregnancy.
Additionally, there are many steps to be taken after the pregnancy test positive. So, here in this article, we are suggesting some of them.
Steps To Take After The Pregnancy Test Positive
Contact An Obstetrician
The first and most important step is to contact an obstetrician, who specializes in pregnancy and childbirth. Surely, the pregnancy tests taken by yourself are accurate but still, you need confirmation from your doctor. It is because they will be able to check your pelvic area and do some necessary sensitive tests which will ensure your good health.
Through the results of tests, an obstetrician will make a health plan and guide you throughout your pregnancy. Additionally, a doctor will confirm your estimated due date.
Talk with the specialists, if you have suffered an early pregnancy loss or any chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, etc. Moreover, you need to see an obstetrician soon if problems, like hurtful pain or bleeding, arise.
A visit to a doctor prevents your concerns and assures a healthy pregnancy.
Prenatal Check-ups
You need to schedule an appointment for prenatal check-ups. A doctor can ask the following questions like your medical and family history:
If ever your family member has experienced any complications or genetic irregularities, you should share it with the doctors. A GYN/OB will provide a solution so that it may not be inherent to your baby.
In addition, tell the doctors regarding the medications you would be taking in your day-to-day life. They will assure if the current medicines you are consuming are safe to continue or there is a need for a new prescription. Furthermore, a specialist can perform the physical test and ultrasound to check the unborn fetus inside the uterus.
Obstetricians will suggest to a pregnant woman some specific vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the good health of them and their baby. Also, folates, calcium, and iron are essential for the development of a baby and the well-being of the mother.
Besides this, they will ensure a proper vaccination for the TDAP, which protects from these three diseases tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly infectious disorder, causing severe coughing. Infants are at a high risk of this infection that can be dangerous.
Eat Healthily
Testing positive for a pregnancy absolutely makes you happy, but an unhealthy diet can affect you and your child’s health. During the early pregnancy weeks, the brain, organs, and other body parts of a baby begin to form. Women can support this growth by taking good care of themselves.
A woman must have a balanced diet, containing vegetables, fruits, proteins, dairy products, and grains. They should have less added sugar to maintain their blood sugar level and less salt to keep their blood pressure stable. In addition, a pregnant lady should have low-saturated fats that reduce the chances of heart diseases and extreme weight gain.
Further, pregnant women who are suffering from gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, or any coexisting diseases should get a proper diet chart from a doctor.
During pregnancy, a woman must stay hydrated. Intaking enough water is not only essential for a baby’s health but also helps to get rid of hemorrhoids and constipation. Women should avoid uncooked meats and seafood, which have high mercury content. Besides this, if you find any wrong symptoms in your body, consult a doctor as soon as possible.
A Good Sleep And Exercise
Hormonal changes, anticipation, and stress can disturb your sleep. Tiredness is a sign that your body demands more rest, so women should make a goal to sleep for at least 7-9 hours.
Additionally, exercise is a must during pregnancy. Do gentle exercises to be fit and healthy. For instance, a brisk walk is the best activity every woman should do three times a day. You can ask your GYN/OBS who can guide you through some prenatal classes.
Yoga helps in strengthening and stretching the muscles and mental centering. Breathing practice prevents shortness of breath during pregnancy. It works through the uterine contractions which can ease the labor pain.
Moreover, during pregnancy, the body releases hormones called relaxins. It relaxes the pelvic muscles, putting pressure on the lower back which causes discomfort. So, it is necessary to do strengthening exercises because such workouts improve the muscles functioning that can reduce the chances of cesarean childbirth.
Quit Toxic Substances
Drinking alcohol and doing smoke before or after the pregnancy is injurious to maternal-fetal health. A child can suffer Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs), causing severe defects in their growth or even leading to death.
There are also the chances of extreme complications like behavior issues, abnormal facial appearance, and heart, kidneys, and bones diseases. Moreover, it can cause miscarriages, low birth weight, or preterm births.
On the other hand, smoking causes preterm birth, certain childbirth defects, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome(SIDS). It also increases the chances of stillbirth. Besides this, pregnant women should not consume drugs during pregnancy as it negatively impacts a child’s health. It affects the fetus’s brain development, possibly causing lifelong problems.
So, if you want to quit your habit of drinking, smoking, and consuming drugs contact your obstetrician as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Testing positive for pregnancy is just the start of the maternal journey. It is the responsibility of a woman to help a child grow in a nurturing and healthy environment.
Therefore, every pregnant woman should get the proper prenatal check-ups to take care of themselves and a child as the body goes through various changes.