What to Do When I Get a Positive Pregnancy Test: Your First Steps and Essential Guide

That little plus sign or the word "pregnant" flashing on the test stick can send a shockwave of emotions through your entire being—elation, terror, disbelief, joy, panic, and everything in between. In that singular moment, the world shifts on its axis. Your mind is likely racing with a million questions, the most pressing being: What do I do now? This guide is your compassionate, step-by-step companion through the whirlwind of those first hours, days, and weeks after a positive test, designed to help you navigate this new reality with clarity and confidence.

Step 1: Pause and Breathe

Before you do anything else, put the test down and take a deep, conscious breath. Then take another. Your first action item is simply to be present with this news, whatever it means to you. There is no single "right" way to feel. Allow yourself to experience your emotions without judgment. This is a significant moment, and you deserve a minute of quiet to let it sink in before springing into action. Share the moment with your partner if they are there, or simply sit with it yourself. The next steps can wait for just a little while.

Step 2: Confirm the Result

While modern home tests are highly accurate, particularly after a missed period, it is a prudent next step to confirm the result.

Retake the Test

Consider taking a second test, preferably with your first-morning urine, which has the highest concentration of the pregnancy hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). This can help rule out a potential false positive, though they are rare. Waiting a day or two between tests can also allow your hCG levels to rise further, potentially resulting in a darker, more definitive line.

Schedule a Doctor's Visit

The most definitive confirmation will come from a healthcare professional. You can schedule an appointment with your primary care physician, gynecologist, or a local clinic. They will likely perform a urine test similar to a home test and may order a blood test. Quantitative blood tests measure the exact amount of hCG in your bloodstream, which can not only confirm the pregnancy but also help provide a rough estimate of how far along you are. This initial appointment is your official starting point on your healthcare journey.

Step 3: Consider Your Timing and Calculate Your Due Date

While you wait for your confirmation appointment, you can get a rough idea of how far along you might be. Pregnancy dating is typically calculated from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP), not the date of conception. This is because the exact date of ovulation and conception can be difficult to pinpoint, but the start of a period is usually a clear marker.

You can use an online pregnancy calculator by entering the first day of your LMP. This will give you an estimated due date (often referred to as EDD). Remember, this is just an estimate! Only a small percentage of babies are born exactly on their due date. This calculation gives you and your provider a helpful 40-week framework to guide your care.

Step 4: Initiate Prenatal Care Immediately

This is one of the most critical steps you can take for your health and the health of your developing pregnancy. Do not delay in seeking prenatal care. Your first prenatal visit might not happen for a few weeks (often around week 8), but you should call to schedule it as soon as you have your positive test.

Choosing a Provider

You have choices for your maternity care, and it's important to find a provider you trust and feel comfortable with. Your options include:

• Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB/GYN): A medical doctor specializing in pregnancy, childbirth, and the female reproductive system. They are trained to handle high-risk pregnancies and perform surgeries, including cesarean sections.
• Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM): Advanced practice registered nurses with specialized training in midwifery. They provide prenatal care, attend births (often in hospitals or birth centers), and offer postpartum care. They typically manage low-risk pregnancies and focus on a more holistic, natural approach but can collaborate with doctors if complications arise.
• Family Physician: Some family doctors provide prenatal care and attend deliveries, offering continuity of care for the entire family.

What to Expect at Early Appointments

Your first few appointments will involve a thorough health history, physical exam, and a lot of information gathering. Your provider will:

• Confirm the pregnancy via blood test.
• Review your personal and family medical history.
• Discuss any current medications or supplements you are taking.
• Perform initial blood work to check your blood type, Rh factor, iron levels, and immunity to certain diseases.
• Address any immediate concerns or symptoms you are experiencing.

Step 5: Start Taking a Prenatal Vitamin

If you aren't already taking one, begin immediately. The first trimester is a period of rapid neural tube development for the embryo, and this crucial process requires adequate levels of folic acid. Prenatal vitamins are specifically formulated with higher amounts of key nutrients:

• Folic Acid (at least 400-800 mcg): Crucial for preventing neural tube defects like spina bifida.
• Iron: Supports the development of the placenta and fetus and helps prevent anemia in the mother.
• Calcium: Essential for building the baby's bones and teeth.
• DHA: An omega-3 fatty acid that supports baby's brain and eye development.

If you struggle with keeping pills down due to nausea, try taking them at night or with a small snack. Some brands also offer gummy or liquid alternatives.

Step 6: Make Lifestyle Adjustments

Your body is now a home for your growing baby, and the choices you make directly impact their well-being. It's time to adopt a pregnancy-friendly lifestyle.

Nutrition and Foods to Avoid

Focus on a balanced diet of whole foods: fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and dairy. There are also certain foods to avoid due to the risk of foodborne illnesses like listeria or toxins that can harm the fetus:

• Raw or undercooked meat, fish, and eggs: No rare steak, sushi made with raw fish, or runny eggs.
• Unpasteurized dairy and juices: These can contain harmful bacteria.
• High-mercury fish: Avoid shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. Opt for low-mercury options like salmon, shrimp, and canned light tuna.
• Raw sprouts and unwashed produce.
• Processed meats like deli meats and hot dogs: If you eat them, reheat them until steaming hot to kill any bacteria.

Substances to Eliminate

• Alcohol: There is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy. It can cause Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs).
• Smoking and Nicotine: Smoking restricts oxygen to the baby and is linked to preterm birth, low birth weight, and miscarriage. Quitting is one of the best things you can do.
• Recreational Drugs: These are extremely dangerous for fetal development.
• Limit Caffeine: Most experts recommend keeping caffeine intake under 200 mg per day (about one 12-ounce cup of coffee).

Exercise and Activity

Unless your doctor advises otherwise, continuing your regular exercise routine is generally safe and beneficial. It can boost your mood, improve sleep, reduce aches and pains, and help you build stamina for labor. Good choices include walking, swimming, prenatal yoga, and stationary cycling. Avoid activities with a high risk of falling or abdominal trauma, like contact sports or horseback riding. Listen to your body and don't push yourself to exhaustion.

Step 7: Manage Early Pregnancy Symptoms

The surge of hormones in early pregnancy can bring a host of challenging symptoms. You are not just imagining them!

• Nausea/Morning Sickness: Despite the name, this can strike at any time. Try eating small, frequent meals (an empty stomach can make nausea worse). Keep bland crackers by your bed and eat a few before getting up. Ginger tea, lemon water, and acupressure wristbands can also provide relief.
• Fatigue: Your body is working hard to build a placenta and support your baby. Honor this exhaustion. Rest whenever you can, nap if possible, and go to bed earlier. Don't fight it.
• Tender Breasts: This is often one of the first signs. A supportive bra, even while sleeping, can help with the discomfort.
• Frequent Urination: Your growing uterus is already putting pressure on your bladder. This will likely continue throughout pregnancy.

Always discuss severe symptoms with your provider, such as nausea that prevents you from keeping any food or liquid down (hyperemesis gravidarum).

Step 8: Begin Navigating Your Options and Decision-Making

A positive pregnancy test opens a door to several paths. The choice of which path to take is deeply personal and belongs solely to you.

Parenting

If you are leaning towards parenting, your journey will involve continuing prenatal care, preparing your home and life for a new baby, and educating yourself about pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn care. Start thinking about your support system, finances, and childcare plans.

Adoption

Adoption is a loving and brave choice. If you are considering making an adoption plan, you can continue your prenatal care while working with a licensed adoption agency or attorney. You can often choose the adoptive parents and decide on the level of openness you desire in the future.

Termination

For some, ending the pregnancy is the right decision based on their personal circumstances, health, or beliefs. It is a legal medical procedure. If you are considering this option, it is essential to seek information from a legitimate healthcare provider or a non-judgmental counseling center to understand the procedures, timelines, and laws in your state.

No matter what you are feeling, talking to a counselor, therapist, or a trusted, non-judgmental loved one can be incredibly helpful in processing your emotions and making the decision that is right for you.

Step 9: Think About When and How to Share the News

There are no rules here, only what feels right for you. Many couples choose to wait until after the first trimester (around 12-13 weeks) to make a public announcement because the risk of miscarriage drops significantly at that point. You might want to tell your immediate family or closest friends sooner so you have a support system in place during the early, often challenging, weeks.

Consider your workplace as well. You are not obligated to tell your employer immediately, but you may need to do so sooner if you require accommodations for severe morning sickness or need to schedule many appointments. Familiarize yourself with your company's parental leave policy.

Step 10: Embrace the Journey and Practice Self-Compassion

Pregnancy is a marathon, not a sprint. It is a profound physical and emotional transformation. There will be good days and hard days. You will receive a mountain of unsolicited advice and may feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information. Remember: you are the expert on your own body and your own life. Trust your instincts. Ask questions. Lean on your support system. This is your unique journey, and you have the strength to navigate it one step at a time.

That positive test is more than a result; it's the first page of a new chapter. Whether this news fills you with dizzying joy or nervous anticipation, your next moves are about grounding yourself in facts and self-care. By taking these deliberate, informed steps—from confirming your result to making crucial lifestyle shifts—you’re not just preparing for a baby; you’re empowering yourself for the incredible journey ahead, building a foundation of health and confidence from this very first moment.