You just got a positive pregnancy test! Yay!! Congratulations!! But now what? What do you do next? Well, you’ll want to call your OBGYN and make a pregnancy confirmation appointment ASAP!

This is your first prenatal doctor’s visit! This post includes what to expect and what you’ll want to ask!

What to Expect at Your Pregnancy Confirmation Appointment

When you visit the OBGYN, the examination room typically features a standard doctor’s office table equipped with stirrups for pelvic exams. The stirrups are designed for you to comfortably place your feet in during the exam. However, during your current visit, you most likely won’t be undergoing a pelvic exam.

First, a nurse will get your height, weight, and blood pressure.

Then the Nurse Will Ask You Questions at Your Pregnancy Confirmation Appointment

• She’ll want to know the first day of your last period.
• She will ask if you are currently taking any medications and if you are allergic to any medications.
• She will probably ask if you’ve had any spotting (bleeding) or cramping.

Afterward, she will likely request that you provide a urine sample in a specimen cup. Don’t be concerned about holding it in until you arrive, as only a small amount is needed. This is for them to conduct their own pregnancy test.

At my office, the examination room has an adjoining bathroom with a basket of specimen cups and a Sharpie.

Before turning in your cup, make sure to label it with your first and last name and date of birth. Your nurse will provide instructions on what to do and where to place it afterward.

Additional Tests During Pregnancy Confirmation Appointment

At some doctor’s appointments, they may also request a blood test to check your hCG levels, which stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. This hormone is often referred to as the pregnancy hormone.

The hormone is produced by cells in the placenta, which then nourishes the fertilized egg. Your hCG levels should double every 72 hours.

My doctor confirmed the pregnancy test showed hCG, so no blood test was needed at that appointment.

However, some doctors may want to conduct a blood test. This doesn’t indicate anything is wrong; they may simply want a baseline to assess your current levels.

Your doctor may also conduct a blood test at this appointment and then ask you to return for another blood test after 72 hours to compare your levels, ensuring that your hCG levels are increasing steadily.

Will You Have an Ultrasound at This Pregnancy Confirmation Appointment? …Probably Not.

Because of my previous miscarriage, I was quite anxious during my appointment. My OBGYN suggested that we could conduct blood tests and compare the hormone levels after 72 hours if I wished. However, she mentioned that she was content with the results of the urine test alone.

I was only 5 and a half weeks pregnant during this appointment, and I inquired about an early ultrasound since they are typically performed at 8 weeks.

She mentioned that you typically don’t receive an ultrasound before 8 weeks because it can be concerning when not much is visible.

You may not hear a heartbeat and you may only see a gestational sac, which could cause you to worry when you don’t see any signs of a baby yet. However, it is most likely just too early.

Ask Questions at Your Pregnancy Confirmation Appointment

This pregnancy appointment is the perfect time to ask any questions you have about your first trimester.

Even though I had already been through pregnancy with my first child, I still had a long list of questions. I forgot a lot from when I was pregnant with my first child.

Read below for some ideas of what you should ask!

Here is a List of Questions I Asked at My Pregnancy Confirmation Appointment:

• I provided a list of medications I had taken before realizing I was pregnant and asked if they could be harmful.
• I inquired about prenatal vitamins. They make me feel very sick and hurt my stomach.

*I’ve tried several different kinds, taking half of one, taking it with food, and at different times of the day. She told me it was fine for me to take Flintstone Vitamins instead. This is what I’m taking.*

• I inquired about managing anxiety. One of the medications I used for panic attacks is not safe for pregnancy.

I have made a plan to manage my anxiety during pregnancy, which includes getting a referral for counseling to start as soon as possible. I need a safe space to talk about my fears of having two kids and my constant cycle of anxiety.

• I asked for a list of safe over-the-counter medications for common issues like headaches, colds, and fevers during pregnancy.
• I inquired about getting a prescription for nausea medication that wouldn’t make me drowsy, as I needed to stay alert to care for my toddler during the day.
• Next, I asked for a list of foods that are unsafe to eat during pregnancy, and the doctor provided this information in a handout.
• I inquired about my face wash since the label advised consulting a physician if breastfeeding or pregnant.

My doctor’s office has several locations, and while one is closest to my house, it is the smallest and doesn’t have an ultrasound technician available every day of the week.

I wanted to ensure that I scheduled future appointments only on the days when an ultrasound technician was present, in case they couldn’t find a heartbeat during the exam and needed to perform an ultrasound.

If that were to happen, I would be a wreck, consumed with fear while driving to the next location for an ultrasound. Therefore, if you also use a smaller office, it’s wise to ask which days an ultrasound tech is available.

• Finally, I asked which other midwives and doctors she would recommend for future appointments. Since they alternate being on call, you never know who will be at the hospital when you go into labor.

It’s worthwhile to familiarize yourself with all the doctors and midwives and vice versa, particularly if they might be responsible for delivering your baby.

Yet, I expressed my preference to see the most compassionate and understanding doctors due to my hormonal fluctuations. As a result, she provided me with a list of those she believed would be the most suitable for me.

Overview of a Pregnancy Confirmation Appointment

This appointment involved repeating another pregnancy test, obtaining a prescription for nausea medication, and asking numerous questions.

Some of my friends have opted to skip the confirmation of pregnancy appointment entirely and only scheduled an appointment for 8 weeks.

However, I would recommend attending this appointment to gather information, especially if it’s your first baby. Alternatively, if you’re similar to me and tend to forget everything since your first pregnancy.

I also find reassurance in discussing my symptoms and ensuring everything is within normal ranges. For example, cramping can sometimes signal a miscarriage, but it can also be a normal occurrence. Therefore, explaining the pain and its location to my doctor helped alleviate my concerns.

In Conclusion of My Pregnancy Confirmation Appointment

Congratulations on the upcoming arrival of your precious little one! I understand that this time can be filled with both excitement and apprehension.

Try to find moments of relaxation, especially as first-trimester symptoms like nausea and fatigue may peak. Remember, these discomforts often improve as your hCG hormone levels stabilize in the second trimester.

Don’t feel anxious about your pregnancy confirmation appointment! It typically involves minimal procedures like blood work, pelvic exams, or vaginal ultrasounds.

For me, it was primarily a discussion, which helped soothe my nerves and ease my worries. I hope it provides you with a sense of calm and reassurance as well!