Whether you are actively trying to conceive or not, a positive pregnancy test can trigger a whole range of emotions. From joy to confusion, curiosity to fear, you are on the cusp of a life-changing experience—and whatever you’re feeling, it’s valid. The flurry of the moment can certainly be stressful, but we’re here to help with what comes next. (For the sake of this story, we’ll be focusing on the steps to take if the pregnancy is wanted.)

Is an at-home pregnancy test totally accurate?

Most home pregnancy tests claim to be 99% accurate when used correctly. And correct use isn’t just about making sure the pee gets on the stick. It includes when you take the test. 

When you’re ready for a baby, it’s tempting to pop open a test as soon as possible. But a home pregnancy test is most accurate if used after missing your period. This is when the pregnancy hormone HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is found in your blood and urine. 

The amount of HCG in blood and urine usually doubles every two to three days in early pregnancy. Which means that using a pregnancy test a couple of days after your missed period dramatically improves the accuracy of results.

Yes, there are some very sensitive pregnancy tests on the market that can be used before a missed period. Just know that, if done too soon, they could indicate a negative result even if you are pregnant. 

What should I do next?

Positive pregnancy test result: Check. Now what? Start with these seven steps. 

1. Make an appointment with your ob/gyn

Call your doctor and they can walk you through how soon you need to be seen for an appointment based on your history. They can confirm your pregnancy with an in-office pregnancy test. Your doctor may do a blood test to determine the amount of HCG in your blood instead of another urine test. Results of a blood test may be available within a few hours, or a couple of days depending upon the lab. If you don’t have an ob/gyn, you can find one here.   

2. Schedule your first prenatal visit

Your provider will usually see you the first time in your eighth week of pregnancy, or again if you went in sooner to have your pregnancy confirmed. When you make the appointment, be sure to let them know if you have any pre-existing health conditions or concerns (such as diabetes, anemia, or thyroid disease). In this case, they may wish to see you more quickly. 

During the appointment, you will review your reproductive history, receive a physical exam, and have an ultrasound to help calculate your due date. This appointment will also include a blood draw. 

Why do they need your blood? They’ll use it for your prenatal panel, which may include a complete blood count (CBC), blood typing including Rh screen, Rubella screen, hepatitis panel, syphilis and HIV test, cystic fibrosis screen, urinalysis, and culture. Your physician will discuss with you everything they plan to test for and how they plan to use this info to inform any additional testing or treatments during pregnancy.

3. Prepare for symptoms

Morning sickness, coming right up…right? Actually, not everyone experiences all the symptoms associated with pregnancy, and it’s even quite possible you won't struggle with what your mom or friends did. But it's good to know what may come. 

Some of the more common early pregnancy symptoms include:

• Nausea and vomiting: You’re building a human inside you! That sets off a flood of hormones. This can make you feel nauseous, typically starting around one month after conceiving and lasting through your third or fourth month. Some women do experience nausea throughout their entire pregnancy.  
• Tender and swollen breasts: Swirling hormones are also responsible for breast sensitivity during early pregnancy. Discomfort may diminish after a few weeks as your body adjusts to the hormonal changes.
• Frequent trips to the bathroom: During pregnancy, your kidneys work extra hard. Because the amount of blood in your body increases during pregnancy, the kidneys must process extra fluid…which ends up in your bladder.
• Fatigue: Levels of the hormone progesterone soar during early pregnancy, which can make you feel extra tired. Bed is your friend!

4. Start taking prenatal vitamins

These are pills you’ll want to pop. Of course, it’s important to eat a healthy diet. But prenatals aim to fill in the gaps. Certain vitamins and minerals are essential for supporting your baby’s development—and protecting your physical health. 

What are the most essential nutrients, and what do they do? Prenatal vitamins typically contain:

• Folic acid: Helps to prevent neural tube defects (serious abnormalities of the fetal brain and spinal cord), and supports the general growth of the fetus and placenta
• Iron: Helps your body make blood and deliver oxygen to the fetus; also helps prevent anemia
• Calcium: Builds strong bones and teeth
• Vitamin D: Promotes healthy vision and skin
• Choline: Supports development of the fetus’s brain and spinal cord
• Omega-3 fatty acids: Help with the baby’s neurological and visual development
• B vitamins: Helps form red blood cells and helps the body use protein, fat, and carbohydrates

There are scads of prenatal vitamins available over the counter. If you don’t know which to choose, ask your physician for a recommendation. Also talk to your doctor about any concerns or known deficiencies in your diet.

5. Prioritize sleep and movement

Self-care is baby-care, too! What does that mean exactly? 

• Sleep: Studies show that 76% of women experience sleep disturbances throughout their pregnancy, with insomnia as a top concern. For a good night’s sleep, you need good sleep hygiene. This doesn’t have to involve some kind of elaborate nighttime overhaul, but a few key things can help. 
  • Get on a consistent sleep schedule, going to bed and waking up at the same time each day.
  • Practice winding down for 30 minutes before you turn in, avoiding screens as much as possible.
  • Keep the temp in your bedroom between 60 and 68 degrees. This will make it easier to fall asleep.
• Movement: Exercise when you’re expecting offers many benefits. It helps lower the risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and cesarean birth. It also helps to ease constipation and reduce back pain. Plus, staying active can be a great stress-reducer. 
  • If you were working out before getting pregnant, your physician will likely give you the all-clear to continue.
  • Otherwise, you will want to start slowly—with as little as 5 minutes of gentle movement like walking. You can gradually increase your activity as time goes on. 

6. Adjust what you ingest

Nicotine, drugs, alcohol, even second-hand smoke: Stay away! These are the more obvious no-nos during pregnancy. 

But you’ll also want to watch what you’re eating. Certain foods can carry germs (like listeria and salmonella) that can lead to infection, or substances that may cause harm to you and your baby. Talk to your doctor about what you should avoid or minimize, using this list to start the convo:

• Caffeine
• Fish that is raw or smoked and fish high in mercury 
• Unpasteurized milk, juices, or cider
• Unpasteurized cheeses and other raw dairy products
• Cold cuts and premade deli salads
• Raw sprouts
• Undercooked meat, poultry, and eggs

7. Be careful around outdoor cats

Another thing to keep in mind: If you have an outside cat, you'll want to keep away from the litter box and have someone handle the cat poop. (No scooping for nine months? Take it!)

Cat feces can carry toxoplasmosis, an infection found in cats that eat rodents. The infection can spread to humans and pass to the baby through the placenta. Most infants won’t present with symptoms of toxoplasmosis at birth, but may develop serious symptoms later in life, which can include blindness or mental disability.

Have an inside cat? Experts say there's a very low risk of infection from indoor cats who eat only cat food and do not hunt prey. 

8. Reasons to contact your doctor

If you experience any pain or bleeding after a positive pregnancy test you should contact your doctor. While these can be normal symptoms of early pregnancy, it is important to have a discussion with your doctor. These symptoms in early pregnancy could also be a symptom of ectopic pregnancy (this is when the fetus develops outside of the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube). These are rare however, accounting for only 2% of all reported pregnancies in the United States.

9. Check out your maternity leave policy

If you work, you may not be ready yet to tell your boss or coworkers that you’re pregnant. And that’s fine. But it’s good to get a sense of what your workplace offers in terms of maternity leave. 

If they don’t offer paid mat leave, check to see if your benefits include short-term disability. Not all disability insurance policies will cover maternity leave, but those that do may reimburse some or all of your lost income. 

And don’t be shy about accepting community and government resources that are available to you. Programs like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may be able to help with food and other costs during your unpaid leave. 

Bottom line: Pregnancy can be a magical time—for some. It can be an anxious time for others. And for many, it’s both. Whatever you’re feeling, knowing what to expect can help decrease some of the stress. Make an appointment with a physician today.