You’re pregnant! Now what?

Seeing a positive home pregnancy test is exciting! A common train of thought after a positive test is more like “What girls and boys name do we like?” and less of “what now?”

Here are a few things to consider after you get a positive home pregnancy test:

Confirm with beta-hCG

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy. This blood test is often more sensitive compared to urine, and can detect pregnancy earlier. Once you see a positive pregnancy test be sure to confirm your pregnancy by calling your doctor or visiting a walk-in clinic where they will run the blood test along with others.

Choose a care provider

In Ontario, Obstetricians (OB), certain Family Doctors, and Midwives can provide obstetrical care and deliver babies. Once a positive result comes back from your blood b-hCG your doctor will ask if you’d like a referral to an OB.

If you’re curious about a Midwife though, contact your closest collective ASAP to see if they have a Midwife available for your estimated due date (this might be as early as when you get a positive urine pregnancy test!). This type of appointment is usually just an interview to ensure midwifery care is the right fit for you, and to confirm that a team is available for your birth.

Review your supplements

Not all supplements are pregnancy-friendly, and it’s also important to ensure that you’re obtaining specific dosages of particular nutrients that you need - like folic acid.

I’ve found that many fertility clients (those who have been followed by a clinic) often have a small pharmacy of supplements - even some that ChatGPT recommended.

A naturopathic doctor will help you determine what it is *you* exactly need during your pregnancy - based on your health history and diet.

Cut out alcohol & more

This may be obvious, but once you find out that you’re pregnant, it’s important to cut out alcohol, tobacco, and similar substances from your daily routine. There are no safe levels of these substances, and they may have negative impacts on your baby’s development.

Prepare for nausea & vomiting

Nausea and vomiting is incredibly common in the first trimester of pregnancy. Based on the severity, speak to your naturopathic doctor or health care provider about ginger, vitamin B6 and acupuncture as first-line treatments for mild-to-moderate nausea and vomiting.

The next few weeks

These days in Ontario, I’ve noticed that pregnant people are often in limbo from weeks 8 to whenever they see their obstetrical care provider (sometimes as late as 20 weeks!).

Having a Naturopathic Doctor support you early in pregnancy can provide the reassurance that you’re not missing any testing, you’re eating well for your and your baby, and that if there are any risks for adverse pregnancy outcomes like gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, you are aware of them.