Who Do You See When You Are Pregnant

Start Taking A Prenatal Vitamin

Most docs will actually recommend you start taking this as soon as you let them know youre trying to conceive. Why? The nutrients are essential to your babys development, in particular in the first four weeks. Look for a supplement that contains at least 400 milligrams of folic acid and an omega-3 of DHA .

Herbal And Green Teas

We do not have much information on the safety of herbal and green teas in pregnancy. Therefore, it is best to limit how much you drink. You should drink no more than 4 cups of herbal tea a day. It is important to remember that green tea contains caffeine, which should be limited as much as possible during pregnancy.

You should ask your GP or midwife if you are unsure about the safety of any herbal products.

Testing For Birth Defectsexpand All

• What is the first step to screen for birth defects during pregnancy?

  Screening for birth defects begins by assessing your risk factors. Early in your pregnancy, your obstetriciangynecologist may give you a list of questions to find out whether you have risk factors. If you do have risk factors, you might want to see a genetic counselor for more detailed information about your risks.

• What factors increase the risk of birth defects?

  Most babies with birth defects are born to couples without risk factors. But the risk of birth defects is higher when certain factors are present. Risk factors include

• having a personal or family history of birth defects

• belonging to certain ethnic groups

• being 35 or older

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Your Gp’s Role After The Birth

It’s a good idea to see your GP at around 6 weeks after the birth. They will check your physical and emotional wellbeing and also your baby’s health.

At this age, your baby is due for vaccinations. You can choose to get the vaccinations at the same appointment, if you wish. Vaccines for your child are free under the National Immunisation Program, but your GP may charge a fee for your visit. Some local councils run free, regular vaccination clinics â check your council website.

But you should also see your GP at any time if you have any concerns about your health or your baby’s health.

Should You Have A Doula

No matter which practitioner you choose, you might also want to consider hiring a doula as an add-on to your care. A doula doesnt have medical training, but shell work with your OB/GYN or midwife as head cheerleader, providing emotional support during pregnancy, delivery and beyond.

Having a doula can be especially helpful if you want or need to work with an OB-GYN but are concerned about missing out on the more hands-on physical and emotional support midwives are known to provide. And that support goes for your partner, too. Doulas also work to ensure that the non-birthing partners emotional needs are met during the birthing process.

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What Do The Results Means

Your results will show whether you are pregnant. If you are pregnant, it’s important to see your health care provider as soon as possible. You may be referred to or may already be receiving care from an obstetrician/gynecologist or a midwife. These are providers who specialize in women’s health, prenatal care, and pregnancy. Regular health care visits during pregnancy can help ensure you and your baby stay healthy.

Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.

Create A Plan Of Action

After you get the results of any second-round or repeated tests, your fertility doctor will go over a recommended treatment plan. You also may sit down with the clinic’s financial advisor to discuss payment fees and options. Your doctor should give you and your partner time to consider the proposed treatments and figure out what you can afford.

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Tests Done Early In Pregnancyexpand All

• What tests are done early in pregnancy?

  Several routine lab tests are done early in pregnancy, including

• complete blood count

• blood type and Rh factor

• urinalysis

Who Can You Go To For Prenatal Care

You can get prenatal care from different kinds of providers:

• An obstetrician/gynecologist is a doctor who has education and training to take care of pregnant women and deliver babies. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists can help you find an OB in your area.
• A family practice doctor is a doctor who can take care of every member of your family. This doctor can take care of you before, during and after pregnancy. The American Board of Family Medicine can help you find a family practice doctor in your area.
• A maternal-fetal medicine specialist is an OB with education and training to take care of women who have high-risk pregnancies. If you have health conditions that may cause problems during pregnancy, your provider may want you to see a MFM specialist. The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine can help you find a specialist in your area.
• A certified nurse-midwife is a nurse with education and training to take care of women of all ages, including pregnant women. The American College of Nurse-Midwives can help you find a CNM in your area.
• A family nurse practitioner or a womens health nurse practitioner . A FNP is a nurse with education and training to take care of every member of your family. A WHNP is a nurse with education and training to take care of women of all ages, including pregnant women. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners can help you find these kinds of nurse practitioners in your area.

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Health Problems That Can Happen During Pregnancy

• Pre-eclampsia can develop after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It causes high blood pressure and protein in your urine. It can be very dangerous for the mother and baby. For more information, see the topic Pre-Eclampsia and High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy.
• Gestational diabetes can make your baby grow too large, which can cause problems during delivery. For more information, see the topic Gestational Diabetes.
• Preterm labour is the start of labour between week 20 and week 37 of pregnancy. The earlier the preterm labour, the greater the risk of problems with the baby. For more information, see the topic Preterm Labour.
• Placenta previa happens when the placenta attaches in the wrong place in the uterus. For more information, see the topic Placenta Previa.
• Abruptio placenta happens when the placenta separates too soon from the uterus. For more information, see the topic Abruptio Placenta.
• If you have Rh-negative blood and your partner is Rh-positive, you need WinRho treatment to prevent Rh sensitization.
• The risk of blood clots can increase during pregnancy because of changes in hormones.

My Stomach Feels Weirddoes Your Stomach Hurt In Early Pregnancy

It depends on what you mean by hurt.

In general, the kinds of pain youll experience in your belly or lower abdomen in early pregnancy are related to:

• Nausea usually happens between two and eight weeks after conception2
• Cramping these can feel similar to pre-menstrual cramps and can be a sign of implantation2
• Bloating and abdominal discomfort similar to PMS symptoms

Below I talk a little more about nausea, which is common in early pregnancy .

So in the sense of feeling nauseous, yes, your stomach can hurt. Some women also feel some light cramping at the very beginning of their pregnancy, which may or may not be accompanied by spotting . This usually occurs around the predicted time of the period or a couple of days before.

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Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins

If you havent started already, you should begin taking a prenatal vitamin right away, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists . This will help make sure that youre getting all the vitamins and minerals you need for a healthy pregnancy.

You can purchase prenatal vitamins over the counter at most major pharmacies or grocery stores. Just be sure it has at least 400 mcg of folic acid, per the .

You can also ask your pregnancy care professional for recommendations or a prescription.

Prenatal vitamins are crucial because your babys neural tube which later becomes their brain and spinal cord develops during the first month of pregnancy. Folate helps reduce the chances of neural tube irregularities, such as those that cause spina bifida.

Other things your prenatal vitamins should have are:

• calcium
• vitamins A, C, D, and E
• vitamin B12
• magnesium

Your healthcare professional will also generally recommend you separately take an iron supplement as well.

Some prenatal vitamins also include choline, which is essential for brain development and placental function, according to 2018 research.

They also may include docosahexaenoic acid , which is important for babys brain growth and function.

So When Will You Show

When do you start showing in pregnancy? For first-time pregnancies, the baby bump may appear during the second trimester, at 1216 weeks. Those with a narrow body frame and little fat tend to show sooner. For people who are curvy or heavier, the baby bump may be more pronounced late in the second trimester or in the third trimester.

There are several factors that impact when a pregnancy becomes visible to the world. They include weight, age, and the number of babies being carried.

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What Are Five Common Signs Of Pregnancy

There are several signs of early pregnancy that you could experience. Not everyone will have all of these symptoms, and some women may not feel any of these things. Pregnancy symptoms throughout the entire pregnancy can vary dramatically between women. Its important not to compare your pregnancy to someone elses.

Common early pregnancy symptoms can include:

Make An Appointment With Your Ob/gyn

Your first stop should be at your regular gynecologistno need to go straight to a fertility clinic. In fact, most clinics prefer you have a referral from your primary gynecologist or physician. You may want to bring your partner along, although that’s not necessarily required at this point. To prepare for your appointment, gather the following information:

• The dates of your last six periods, even if you menstruate like clockwork. If you’ve been keeping a fertility calendar or body basal temperature chart, bring the last six months’ information.
• A list of medications youand your partnertake on a regular basis. Some drugs can interfere with fertility, including certain antidepressants and even over-the-counter allergy treatments.
• A list of any infertility symptoms or risk factors you have.
• Any questions you have. If you write them down, you’re more likely to ask them.

When you discuss your symptoms, make sure to mention the embarrassing ones, such as painful sex, unwanted hair growth, or low libido. These can all be symptoms of a fertility problem. Include any symptoms your male partner may be experiencing as well. Up to 40% of infertile couples face male infertility.

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Some Tips On Pregnancy Testing At Home

Because early pregnancy symptoms can be confused with other illnesses or conditions, I would always recommend buying yourself a test. These are very accurate from the point that your period is due, and will take the guesswork out of knowing if you are pregnant or not.

For those who have missed a period and got a negative pregnancy test result, follow the link to learn about the most common reasons behind this.

If you keep getting negative results but are experiencing pregnancy symptoms, listen to your body and make a doctor’s appointment!

Signs Of Pregnancy Before You Miss Your Period

Information from “Early signs of pregnancy: When will I feel symptoms?” from Babycenter.com

Am I pregnant?

One of the special things about pregnancy is that no two women experience it in the same way. One woman doesn’t stop vomiting for weeks in the first trimester, and another might never even feel nauseous .

There are several early signs of pregnancy. Some of them are subtle, and you may not notice them right away, or you may mistake them for PMS since they are similar. In fact, in one study, 29% of women reported that missing their period was their first clue that they were pregnant.2

You’ll probably want to know if you’re pregnant sooner rather than later since it’s important to receive appropriate prenatal care and discontinue any unhealthy habits you may have.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms below, and if you’ve missed a period, you should definitely take a pregnancy test. It’s the only way to know for sure if you’re pregnant or not.

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What Kinds Of Examinations And Tests Will You Have

Your first prenatal examination gives your doctor or midwife important information for planning your care. You’ll have a pelvic examination and urine and blood tests. You’ll also have your blood pressure and weight checked. The urine and blood tests are used for a pregnancy test and to tell whether you have low iron levels or have signs of infection.

At each prenatal visit you’ll be weighed, have your belly measured, and have your blood pressure and urine checked. Go to all your appointments. Although these quick office visits may seem simple and routine, your doctor is watching for signs of possible problems like high blood pressure.

In some medical centres, you can have screening in your first trimester to see if your baby has a chance of having Down syndrome or another genetic problem. The test usually includes a blood test and an ultrasound.

During your second trimester, you can have a blood test to see if you have a higher-than-normal chance of having a baby with birth defects. Based on the results of the tests, you may be referred to a geneticist for further discussion. Or you may have other tests to find out for sure if your baby has a birth defect.

Late in your second trimester, your blood sugar will be checked for diabetes during pregnancy . Near the end of your pregnancy, you will have tests to look for infections that could harm your newborn.

How Often Do You Go For Prenatal Care Checkups

Most pregnant women can follow a schedule like this:

• Weeks 4 to 28 of pregnancy. Go for one checkup every 4 weeks .
• Weeks 28 to 36 of pregnancy. Go for one checkup every 2 weeks .
• Weeks 36 to 41 of pregnancy. Go for one checkup every week .

If you have complications during pregnancy, your provider may want to see you more often.

Your partner or support person is welcome at your prenatal checkups.

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How Do I Know Im Pregnant

A missed period is often the first sign of pregnancy. You may have some other physical signs as well. These include mild cramping and a little bleeding when the fertilized egg implants itself in your uterus.

If youve missed your period and think you may be pregnant, you can take a home pregnancy test. These tests are very accurate if you take them a few days after you expected to get your period. Call your doctor if the test is positive.

Will My Gp Do Another Pregnancy Test

Probably not. Home pregnancy-testing kits are generally so accurate these days that, if its positive, you are almost certainly pregnant.

The doctor will not need to repeat the test, says midwife Gail. Shop-bought tests are very efficient these days!

Your GP wont need to see your home test, either. Keep that stick at home he or she will take you at your word!.

As MFMer Corrine says, When I went to the docs after I found out I was pregnant, she said, We dont need to do another test. Well just book your scan.’

And dont avoid doing a home test because you think a GPs test is more official or accurate, midwife Gail says:

The general advice is to do a test at home. If you go to the surgery thinking you might be pregnant, they will probably send you to the chemist to get a test!

If youd still like the doctor to do a confirmatory test for you, it may take up to 5 days to get the results back. If your GP does the test for you, adds Gail.

He or she will need a urine sample from you, or they might do a blood test. Either way, the samples will be sent off to the lab for testing, and you will have to wait.

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