So you just found out you are pregnant, congratulations. Being pregnant is one of the most exciting and special times of your life whether this is baby number one, two, three, four or more or perhaps you’re pregnant with more than one bubba and having twins or triplets. However once you discover you’re pregnant then you naturally ask “now what do I do”? All of a sudden you find yourself on google, asking your family and friends, your doctor and just don’t’ know where to start. Well I am here to rescue you and give you a few tips to get you started and some inside knowledge on the many options you have available.
Firstly it is so important to remember that you do have options and you should ask lots of questions especially if you do not understand all of the tests, ultrasounds and recommendations given to you.
So let’s begin, most women discover they are pregnant in their first trimester, your pregnancy is often referred to as trimesters and you have three of them; first trimester is from conception to 12 weeks, the second trimester from 13 to 26 weeks and the third trimester from 27 to 40 weeks or when your baby arrives. You will find your doctors and midwives will also refer to your pregnancy in weeks and ask you this question often – how many weeks are you?
Most women discover they are pregnant in their first trimester when they do an at home pregnancy test, often because they have missed their period and most women will be around 4-7 weeks pregnant at this time, unless of course you have an assisted conception. After you have a confirmed pregnancy test it’s a good idea to go and see your GP and have a blood test to confirm your pregnancy. If you don’t know when your last period was then it is recommended after you have your blood test to arrange a referral for what is called a dating scan or early pregnancy scan, even if you do know when the first day of your last period was it can still be a good idea to have this ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy and that the baby is developing well. It is at this scan you will be given an estimated due date (EDD) which if you know the first day of your last period, will often align with this date that can also be used to calculate your due date. Let me just say that your due date is often NOT the day your baby will be born.
After this scan it is then recommended you return to your doctor and discuss the plan for the rest of your pregnancy, especially who is going to care for you? Where are you going to give birth to your baby? If you don’t know the answer to these questions then it’s a good idea to think about them. Do you have private health cover and want to see a private obstetrician or are you happy to give birth in the public hospital? Do you want to see a midwife privately or a midwife in the public hospital, do you want to keep seeing your GP? Start to see what options are available in your local area and ask your doctor, ring your local hospitals and ask what antenatal care they have available. Once you have made this decision your doctor will then organise a referral to your choice of health care provider and then discuss with you your options of genetic screening available usually from 10 weeks of pregnancy. See here on our webpage for more information on NIPT and combined first trimester ultrasound scan. Now you have some more information it is just the beginning, have a look on our website for more helpful information on ultrasounds recommended in pregnancy and genetic testing as well.
