Exactly What To Do After Positive Pregnancy Test

Are you wondering what to do after positive pregnancy test? Seeing those two pink lines changes everything but there are a few things that you should do right away…

Pregnancy can be exciting but nerve wracking, especially as a new mom. There is so much to learn like when to visit a doctor after a positive pregnancy test, what things to avoid in early pregnancy, foods to avoid during pregnancy, and what are the best pregnancy snacks for nausea.

But the first BIG question you might be asking is what to do after a positive pregnancy test. Keep reading because this post breaks it all down!

This post is all about what to do after positive pregnancy test.

What To Do After Positive Pregnancy Test

1. Find out how far along you are

This is step #1 when thinking about what to do after a positive pregnancy test! The most accurate way to figure out your estimated due date is to start with the first day of your last period and add forty weeks.

2. Start taking a prenatal vitamin

This is so so so important! Prenatal vitamins are critically important during pregnancy and provide essential nutrients for the development of your baby. Folic acid, calcium and iron are among many important nutrients included in prenatals.

3. Schedule your first prenatal appointment

This is also high up on the list of what to do after positive pregnancy test. Your doctor will most likely want to see you around eight weeks after your last period.

It is an important visit that includes a urine test, full exam, bloodwork and sometimes an ultrasound, although some doctors may schedule this later into your first trimester.

Wondering what you should be asking your doctor about? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered – here are the top six questions to ask your doctor during the first trimester of pregnancy.

4. Practice healthy habits

This includes no drinking or smoking. Your decisions now affect not only you but your baby’s health and development too so it’s even more important to kick the bad habits now. This includes no alcohol or smoking and maintaining an active lifestyle (unless your doctor advises you otherwise due to complications with your pregnancy).

5. Consider diet changes

During pregnancy, there are certain foods you will need to avoid such as high mercury fish, high levels of caffeine, raw seafood and sushi, and unpasteurized cheeses. It’s important to be aware of potentially harmful foods but there’s no need to freak out. You can view a complete list of foods to avoid during pregnancy here.

It’s also important to recognize that you are not eating for two, especially in the first trimester – that’s a myth.

Pregnancy is definitely not the time for dieting but it is also not an excuse to eat everything in sight every day either. Your doctor can help you identify your target weight gain and the best way to achieve it with food.

6. Modify exercise routine

Exercise is sooo beneficial to you and baby! If you were already an active person, then keep it up! If you weren’t as active pre-pregnancy then now is the time to start some light activity such as walking.

The key here is to perform moderate activity and listen to your body. Now is not the time to take up running or another strenuous routine and if something doesn’t feel good then you should absolutely stop and either modify or skip it entirely.

Also, a good rule of thumb is to cut out the ab exercises and by the second trimester you should not be doing any movements while laying on your back.

There are tons of prenatal workout out there but this is my favorite program!

Please talk to your doctor about your current routine and see what he/she feels is appropriate now that you are pregnant and as you progress through pregnancy.

7. Check your insurance benefits

This is a good time to verify your coverage and benefits. Having a baby can be a huge expense between all of the prenatal care, tests and actually giving birth, so it’s always a good idea to get a handle on the finances upfront.

Plus if you are planning to breastfeed, many insurance providers cover the cost of a breast pump (which isn’t cheap!) so it’s definitely worth checking out. Aeroflow Breast Pumps makes it SO easy to see what you qualify for and actually order your pump!

8. Create your maternity leave plan

It might seem like it’s too soon for that but your pregnancy will fly by – trust me! It is always a good idea to figure out what your company offers in terms of maternity leave, whether it’s paid or not, if any PTO needs to be used in the beginning and if your state has additional options that would help you extend your leave.

This is also a good time to check on any paternity leave that your partner may or may not have. If not, think about how much PTO time or personal leave he will need to budget for and/or put in for.

If he can take more than a week off after the birth then I highly recommend it! The first few days will be in the hospital, getting into a groove at home and lots and lots of middle of the night feeds so having your husband home with you during the day is sooo helpful.

And let’s face it, it will be hard for him to work after only a few hours total of sleep…

9. Get some rest

Your body is doing some hard work growing that little baby and it’s normal for you to feel more tired, especially in the first trimester.

If this is your first baby then REALLY soak up the sleep and try not to stress. Sleep might be harder to come by as you progress in your pregnancy and there’s no shame in going to bed at 7pm if you need it.

Now is not the time to stress over all the things you could/should be doing. You should notice a major jump in your energy once you get to the second trimester of pregnancy and that’s really when you’ll want to go into nesting mode to get everything ready for baby!

10. Decide who you’re going to tell

Many first time moms wait until they are 12 weeks pregnant to share the exciting news with family and friends. At this point, you are heading into the second trimester and there is less of a risk of a miscarriage.

My one regret in my first pregnancy is that I didn’t tell my parents sooner. Because the truth is if I had experienced a complication with my pregnant, I would need my close family in my corner to support me and help me get through the difficult time.

But ultimately it is up to you and your husband to decide when and who you tell your parents you’re pregnant or anyone else in your life such as friends and coworkers.

11. Start thinking about baby names

It’s neverrr too early to start thinking about baby names. You can basically expect your husband to not like some of the names you love and vice versa so it will take some time to really settle on a name.

I recommend keeping a list of boy and girl names in your phone that you can easily add to or delete as you discuss them.

12. Document the journey

It might seem weird at first to take pictures of your growing stomach but you will be so happy to look back on pictures and see your progression. And you might even miss your bump after you give birth.

Pictures probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when thinking “what to do after positive pregnancy test” but it’s a really fun one. Plus it’s pretty amazing how much growth can happen from week to week!

13. Update your wardrobe with maternity clothes

Your body grows and changes so rapidly during pregnancy so it’s never too early to start buying maternity clothes.

If this is your first pregnancy, you should be able to get away with your normal shirts well into the second trimester of pregnancy but pants are a different story.

You shouldn’t expect a bump for a while but bloating can happen out of nowhere in the first trimester of pregnancy. Maternity pants are extremely helpful and no one will even know you’re wearing them! It’s a win win.

14. Start saving money

As it was mentioned above, having a baby can be a HUGE expense and will depend in part on what your insurance covers. There are expenses like prenatal care, diapers and wipes, formula, clothing, crib furniture and actually giving birth that will need to be paid for so it’s always a good idea to get a handle on the finances upfront.

15. Start thinking about your birth plan

You don’t need to have anything set in stone but it’s a good idea to start thinking about what kind of experience you want for your baby’s birth. It is important to recognize that things may always go according to plan but it is helpful for you to envision how a few key parts of your birth will go.

Things to consider include:

Who will be in the delivery room with you?
Will you get an epidural?
What friends or family (if any) do you want to visit in the hospital or when you return home?
Is there a certain type of music you want playing while you deliver?

16. Create a baby registry

This might seem like another task that should be completed later in pregnancy but I’m all about being proactive.

Starting your baby registry in the first trimester gives you plenty of time to add exactly what you want and also talk to your friends about the essentials you really need for your baby.