Morning Sickness or the flu? Spotting or a light period? Cravings or hormonal stress eating? If you are worried that you’re pregnant, it seems like anything could be a pregnancy symptom!
Then you take a pregnancy test—and it comes back positive. What now? Is it accurate? How far along are you?
Here are steps to discover if you are actually pregnant:
Is a pregnancy test proof I’m pregnant?
Pregnancy tests are generally accurate and false positives are rare. If the test detects hCG (a hormone caused by the implantation of an egg in the uterine lining) in your urine then it will have a positive result. In general, there is enough hCG to be detected 7-14 days after ovulation, about when you expect your next period.
So, yes, you should take your pregnancy test result seriously. However, it is important to confirm a pregnancy with a medical professional to ensure your health as you take next steps.
How far along am I pregnant?
Medical professionals typically calculate a due date by counting 40 weeks after the first day of your last period. If you know when your last period was you can calculate your due date with our Pregnancy Test Calculator.
When I discovered I was pregnant, I had no idea when my last period was. And many women don’t know due to irregular periods, birth control, or simply not tracking menstrual cycles—after all, life is busy.
If you don’t know when your last period was, you can find out the gestational age of your pregnancy at your first prenatal ultrasound.
Why should I confirm my pregnancy?
Risk of ectopic pregnancy
Around 1 in 50 pregnancies is an ectopic pregnancy. If a pregnancy implants and grows anywhere besides the uterus, it is called an ectopic pregnancy. Without intervention by a medical professional consisting of medication and/or surgery, there can be severe—even life-threatening—complications.
A study published in the National Library of Medicine found that during the COVID-19 pandemic ectopic pregnancy complication rates rose, as women were less likely to seek medical care and confirm pregnancies. For the sake of your health, it is important to have an ultrasound to confirm where the pregnancy is located.
Discover gestational age
Whether you are seeking to end or continue your pregnancy, knowing the gestational age of the fetus is essential to your next steps.
If you are planning on terminating your pregnancy, you need to know the gestational age to know what type of abortion is safe to pursue.
Again, if you have very regular cycles (every 24-32 days) you can date by the first day of your last period. However, if you don’t have regular cycles or don’t know the date of your last cycle, you need an ultrasound for an accurate date.
Medical abortions are safe up until 10 weeks. If your pregnancy is further along than 10 weeks, a medical abortion can be more painful and have a higher risk of complications. After 10 weeks, you will need to pursue a surgical abortion. If you are going to continue your pregnancy, the prenatal care you receive and when you receive it will depend on the gestational age of the fetus.
You should also confirm an intrauterine pregnancy soon after a positive pregnancy test by ultrasound. Your healthcare provider will help you learn what prenatal care you need for the rest of your pregnancy.
Do I need to confirm a pregnancy in person?
The only way to confirm the location of the pregnancy and the gestational age is to have your pregnancy confirmed by a medical professional.
Who can perform the exam?
Here’s a list of people you could contact to confirm your pregnancy:
- Labs analyze blood or urine samples to confirm a pregnancy. However, this does not tell you the gestational age.
- OB/GYN
- Midwife
- Family practice doctor. In urban areas, most family doctors will refer anyone with a positive pregnancy test straight to an OBGYN. However, in more rural locations, you may still see a regular family medicine provider for prenatal care and pregnancy confirmation.
- A clinic that offers free pregnancy confirmations
What will happen at a pregnancy confirmation exam?
At your first prenatal appointment, your healthcare provider will:
- Check your weight and vitals
- Take a urine sample
- Conduct an ultrasound. Before the appointment, call and make sure there is an ultrasound offered at the appointment. Some clinics may refer you to a third party to perform the ultrasound.
- Discuss your medical history
- Answer your questions related to pregnancy
Your healthcare provider will discuss your pregnancy options with you and help you create a plan for moving forward.
Take care of yourself
The discovery of a pregnancy can lead to many rapid choices and new emotions to process. It’s important to remember that you deserve high-quality medical care. = Taking care of your health is essential for setting yourself up for long-term success and happiness, regardless of your pregnancy decision.
Need to make a pregnancy decision soon? Book a Clarity Coaching Session and get the clarity you need to move forward with confidence.