What to do After a Positive Pregnancy Test

So, you’ve got those magical little two lines, or perhaps an unmistakable ‘PREGNANT’ written on your digital test stick…

Okay… what now??

A positive pregnancy test can evoke a lot of emotions.

It could be exciting, happiness, a rush of relief, fear, doubts, and finally, it settles in.

That test says you’re positive — you could be growing a little babe inside you. 🤰

But, of course, the first step isn’t always acceptance.

You may want to take another test first, or just think about when you need to make that call to the doctors.

For those first-time mamas who are wondering how to move ahead after those two lines on the test, this one’s for you!

In this article: 📝

What to do after your first positive pregnancy test?

Well first off, take a deep breath! 😮‍💨

We know all the emotions that come along with seeing a plus sign on the test: excitement, happiness, relief, and then… panic and confusion about what you should do next.

Well, we recommend taking baby steps (👶!), and the first step to get started is to consider taking a second test. 👩‍🔬

Why a second test?

Well, it can help you rule out false positives.

That’s why reading the instructions super carefully to make sure you’re following all the to-do’s (and not to-do’s) for a pregnancy test is important here!

But, it can get a little tricky, too…

At-home tests can also pick up hCG levels if you are on fertility drugs.

So, as soon as you suspect a positive pregnancy with an at-home test, book a doctor’s appointment ASAP for a blood pregnancy test to confirm it. 🩸

How soon should I go to the doctor after a positive pregnancy test?

Ideally, within the first few days after you get your positive result.

It’s also a good time as this would likely be week 4 or week 5 into your pregnancy (we know — it’s complicated working out how far along you are 🥴), along with your missed period.

But, if you do experience any unusual symptoms such as bleeding, severe nausea, headaches, fever, or abdominal pain, be sure to visit your healthcare provider sooner.

Should I go to the hospital to confirm pregnancy?

Absolutely, yes, you can!

If you don’t feel convinced, or would rather have the assurance of a hospital blood test, you can go to the hospital and meet your healthcare provider to confirm pregnancy.

This allows you to take a B-hCG blood test, which measures the amount of hCG and is 99% accurate.

This is when reality sets in.

It’s time to take a deep breath and relax.

Both planned and unplanned pregnancies can cause emotional ups and downs.

If you’re unprepared for a pregnancy and decide not to move forward, you can consult a professional regarding your options, to help make an informed decision.

But if you plan to continue the pregnancy, buckle up, mama — this is where your to-do liststarts!

Is 4 weeks pregnant too early to see a doctor?

To be honest, there’s no right or wrong time. 🤷‍♀️

A doctor’s appointment is usually taken at around 6-8 weeks pregnant, ideally after your missed period.

But if you do get any concerning symptoms such as pain, bleeding, nausea, tiredness, or anything else you’re worried about, earlier than 6-8 weeks, check in with your doctor right away.

If you’re visiting the doctor at 4 weeks pregnant, you can expect a pelvic and breast exam, and a urine or blood test to detect your hCG levels.

Does a positive pregnancy test mean you are 100% pregnant?

A positive pregnancy test measures the amount of hCG in your urine, which doubles every 2 to 3 days.

So, if you take a positive pregnancy test after your missed period, it’s most likely to be accurate.

But, there’s room for error — both from user error, and also from things we can’t control:

🗓️ If you have irregular cycles, it can make it hard to predict a missed period, meaning the level of hCG can be tricky to spot, as well!

👀 Remember to read the instructions for the at-home pregnancy test. Not all pregnancy tests work in exactly the same way, so always read the instructions first. The wait time is usually two minutes or more. Waiting too long can result in an evaporation line, which in some cases can lead to a false positive.

💊 If you take fertility medication that contains hCG, they may also show a false positive.

⏰ Taking the test too early could lead to a false negative as your hCG levels may not be detectable. It’s best to take an at-home pregnancy test around 1-4 days after your missed period.

🌄 Time of the day the test is taken can also have an impact on the result. The best time to take the urine test first thing in the morning, as it has the highest concentration of hCG compared to urine later in the day. Taking it at night could also cause a false negative.

❌ If the pregnancy test has expired. If you do come across an expired test, it’s likely that the results may not be 100% accurate, so doing a second (in-date) test to confirm!

If you feel you are experiencing symptoms of pregnancy but your test result is negative, it’s best to ask your healthcare provider for a blood test.

🔍 Get clued up: What Not to Do Before Taking a Pregnancy Test?

When should you tell people you are pregnant?

That’s completely up to you — it’s your personal choice. 😌

Learning about your pregnancy is an exciting moment, but it’s personal for a lot of us.

At this stage, you might consider telling your partner or your family, and keeping it in your bubble for a little while.

Basically, your inner support circle. 🫧

There’s no “right time” to tell people you’re pregnant, but here are some ideas:

• After your first doctor’s appointment: This is when you decide to visit the doctor for a blood test to confirm your pregnancy. At this stage, you may be 6-8 weeks pregnant with a missed period. After your health screening, you may be cleared of any risk factors, making it an ideal time.
  
• After the first trimester: Around 12 weeks is also a common time for people to announce their pregnancy. After the first trimester, the risk of miscarriage drops significantly, so many people choose to announce their pregnancy at that point, while others prefer an earlier pregnancy announcement. It’s entirely your choice.
  
• After your ultrasound exam and tie it in with a gender-reveal: Did someone say, gender reveal party? 💙💗 Typically, your ultrasound happens at 18-22 weeks of pregnancy, giving you a nice snapshot of your lil peanut when you announce them to your friends and family!

Ultimately, announcing your pregnancy depends on a few things, and they’re all entirely personal to you.

Some days you might have nausea, cravings, or anything else from the seemingly never-ending list of pregnancy symptoms…

And others days can be fun as you gather around your support circle and discuss baby names, or decorate a nursery for your babe.

Whatever way you choose, it’s up to you, mama! 😌

How many pregnancy tests should I take if positive?

So, here’s the thing…

It depends on when during your cycle you’re taking it.

It’s best to take it after you’re sure you’ve missed a period.

But generally, it’s worth taking at least 2 at-home pregnancy tests, if you can, to double-check and just in case anything went wrong with the first test (it happens).

To be extra sure, you can also have a gap of 1-3 days before you take another test.

If you still feel unsure after a second test, it’s best to visit your healthcare provider and get a B hCG test done, as it has about 99% accuracy (plus, the ability to clear all your doubts away!).

How soon after a positive pregnancy test should I take another?

Honestly, there’s no harm in taking a second test!

You can take another one straightaway, or you can take one in the next 1-3 days — or even do more than 2!

This can also be useful if you’re unsure if you tested too early, if your period still doesn’t arrive, or if you’re not sure about the length of your menstrual cycle for the month.

Should I keep taking pregnancy tests if positive?

We get it — it’s sometimes hard to be 100% sure of that at-home pregnancy test. 🤨

At the most, we’d say take 1-2 pregnancy tests.

Clearing up that counter of tests at the drugstore and using them makes little sense for both your wallet (’cause, let’s face it — pregnancy tests aren’t cheap!) and your mental energy.

But, in general, at home tests are pretty accurate — when the instructions are followed carefully.

(Seriously, read the instructions first, even if you’re sure you know how to do a pregnancy test.)

If you still feel unsure or need confirmation from a doctor, you can take a consultation at the hospital for a blood test, which is about 99% accurate.

With that rush of emotions after a positive pregnancy test comes the tasks… and the to-do list… and, well, it can be a rollercoaster of a journey for you mama!

But, remember, it’s alright to feel all the feelings.

Confused, elated, frustrated, happy, frightened… or any other emotion!

All that matters is how you ground yourself and brace up for any decision that you plan to take ahead.

Plus, having an amazing support group such as your inner circle of friends and family, and even an online community of supportive people (👋 that’s us) can help make the journey easier.

There’s thousands of others to be mamas, like you, having conversations on what they plan to do after their positive pregnancy test.

Join us on Peanut today. ❤️