What to Do When You Find Out You’re Pregnant
Peeing on the pregnancy stick and watching those two lines, signalling a positive result can fill your heart with fulfilment. Discovering that you are pregnant can be a momentous and joyous occasion. Whether planned or completely unexpected, embarking on the journey of motherhood is a significant moment in anyone’s life.
Of course, it is completely natural to feel emotions other than that of happiness and excitement. You could also feel nervous, stressed out, and other emotions we can feel. There is no right or wrong way to react to the news. However, once you have obtained the result, there are some steps that you should go about to ensure that your pregnancy suits you and anyone else involved and that you are emotionally, mentally, and physically at ease.
If you have just gotten the news that you are pregnant, congratulations! You may be freaking out while figuring out what steps to take care of. Well, allow us to help alleviate this burden from your shoulders while we give you our tips on what to do when you find you find out that you are pregnant.
1. Double-check your result
First things first, you should always make sure that the result you have obtained from your pregnancy test is a legitimate one. Some tests may show false positive or negative results, leading to complications in understanding one’s pregnancy status.
You can confirm your pregnancy by taking yet another pregnancy test or by visiting your doctor and having them confirm it. Clinical checkups are always preferred as they can give you the correct information and follow-up steps if you are pregnant.
2. Take a prenatal paternity test
Prenatal paternity tests work to determine the biological father of the unborn baby. This non-invasive procedure involves analyzing the DNA of the mother, the alleged father, and the fetus. You may want to consider partaking in this paternity test while pregnant. The results will help if you are not fully sure about who the baby’s father is and would like to be aware of it!
3. Confide in someone
Once you have been given the green light that you are, in fact, pregnant, go ahead and tell someone about it! You should only do this if you are comfortable with it, but telling even one person you trust will benefit your health as they will be aware of your current physical and emotional condition. This would benefit you because their awareness will allow them to care for you and exempt you from performing tasks that will cause stress on your body when pregnant. Furthermore, having someone to confide in during such a significant period in your life also has emotional and mental benefits.
4. Participate in prenatal care
Prenatal care is medical care that pregnant people acquire during pregnancy and is crucial for a healthy pregnancy. Consulting with a healthcare professional and beginning regular checkups will help monitor your health and baby’s development. Prenatal care may include physical examinations, blood work, ultrasounds, genetic screenings, etc. If there are any concerns about the pregnancy, they are addressed at this stage, and guidance is given on how to tackle them.
5. Adjust your lifestyle
The way you live your life has considerable impacts on your pregnancy. When you find out that you are expecting, it is essential to make the necessary adjustments for the well-being of yourself and your baby. Some examples of modifications that you should be making, if you haven’t already, are to quit drinking, smoking, and participating in recreational drug use. Furthermore, you could adopt healthier habits like incorporating a more rich and balanced — after all, you have been eating for two now! You could also take up the right level of physical exercise to keep yourself active and going.
6. Figure out your work life
Another major adjustment that must be made is the one to your work life. If you are employed and find out you are pregnant, you will probably need to take pregnancy leave upon reaching later trimesters. Creating a game plan for when the time comes is another crucial step in what to do when you find out you are pregnant. If you are offered paid leave, this is by far the best option to opt for. However, as a working mother who may not be granted the option for paid leave, times might seem more stressful. In such a case, take as much time off as you possibly can to regain your physical and mental strength, and check to see if there are alternative ways for you to perform your duties, such as through an online platform.
7. Embrace the journey
With all the commotion that comes with finding out that you are pregnant, you may find that you have not gotten to experience the true joy of it all. Cherish the special moments, from feeling the baby’s first kick to hearing their heartbeat during an ultrasound. Collect photos from when they are in the womb to when you hold them in your arms for the first time. Try surrounding yourself with positive energy by allowing people with good energy into your surrounding space.