First Steps After The Positive Test

February 28, 2024

First Steps After The Positive Test

Finding Out

Holding a positive pregnancy test in your hands can bring a tidal wave of different emotions crashing down on you. Your head may spiral with thoughts like “I can’t afford to have a baby” or “it’s not the right time”. Whatever your feelings may be, there are important first steps to take after discovering you’re pregnant.

Take Another Test

Even though your pregnancy test read positive, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re pregnant. While false positives are highly unlikely, small things can trigger them, such as taking the test incorrectly, using an expired test, or having had a recent miscarriage or abortion. It’s important to take a pregnancy test performed by professional healthcare workers at a clinic or hospital for higher accuracy.

Schedule an Ultrasound

Having an ultrasound is possibly the most important step to take after confirming your pregnancy. One of the main reasons to have an ultrasound is to determine if you have an ectopic pregnancy. This is when the fertilized egg has attached outside of the uterus, in places such as the cervix or fallopian tube. Marissa Selner writes in an article for Healthline that “Ectopic pregnancies aren’t safe for the mother. Also, the embryo won’t be able to develop to term. It’s necessary to remove the embryo as soon as possible for the mother’s immediate health and long-term fertility.” Ectopic pregnancies require immediate medical attention, making them a very important aspect to look out for. Ultrasounds also reveal the number of babies the mother may be expecting.

Confirm a Viable Pregnancy

Confirming that your pregnancy is viable can also be done through an ultrasound. It’s important to be sure that your pregnancy is safe and progressing smoothly. During the ultrasound, fetal cardiac activity can be detected, confirming that your pregnancy is viable. Checking to see how far along you are in your pregnancy is also a step in confirming viability. This gives you an accurate estimated due date for your baby.

Find Support

You’re not in this alone! Whether it’s a friend, family member, or even a co-worker, having someone you can trust can make all the difference when your thoughts are spiraling. Expressing and communicating how you feel can take a weight off your shoulders that you may not have known you had. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

How We Can Help

If you find yourself facing an unplanned pregnancy, we are here to listen, understand, and give support. We offer pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and options consultations at no cost to you. Schedule your safe and confidential appointment by clicking here, calling us at (530)-272-6800, or text us at (530)-802-0858.