The First Steps to Take After the Test is Positive
So you've established you're pregnant and told your husband (or partner) and you're both on the same page and excited! It doesn't matter how you got to this excited stage you're here and that's what counts!!!
MAKE A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT - Let the receptionist know you're pregnant
Now if you haven't already done so you need to call your doctor and make an appointment. A lot of General Practitioners don't deal with pregnant you after your first check up; they will refer you to a hospital if this is the case.
At your doctor's appointment go in with a full bladder as they will need you to pee in a cup to confirm you're pregnant as well as to check for proteins in your urine. You will also be weighed (clothes and shoes on in the waiting room if your experience is similar to mine) and at your appointment you will need to make a few decisions with your doctor as to where you want to be recommended to and you may have your blood pressure checked. This is a pregnancy confirmation check up and you will most likely need a second for the first full check up which happens around the same time as your dating ultrasound at week nine or ten.
MIDWIFE OR DOCTOR - Research both and make an informed decision
Your hospital will have a maternity ward and that's where your doctor will recommend you to. You will go there for your check ups, ultrasounds, as well as labour and delivery.
The midwife route. In case you didn't know, a midwife is covered under your care card and so if you go this route it won't be an additional expense. A doula however is a luxury and will not be covered by medical. If you choose to have a midwife then you will go to her clinic for check ups, a recommended clinic for ultrasounds, anywhere for blood work, and you will give birth either at the hospital or at home- wherever you have previously decided if all goes according to plan.
I am currently going in for check ups at a midwifery clinic in Delta and it's been a really wonderful, relaxing experience. I've also recently hired a doula and so between God, the midwife, doula, myself and my husband I am feeling pretty confident that this baby will be safely delivered in the end - safely, healthily and happily is my prayer.
WHERE WILL I DELIVER?
You will deliver at either the hospital or at home depending on who you are seeing (midwife or doctor) and your birth plan.
This is also open for debate depending on your little babe as one of my friends can agree with first hand. She delivered in the back seat of her car as the hospital she was speeding to with her husband and friend was too far away and they didn't make it. The happy outcome was that baby was happy and healthy and so was my friend!
Look for the healing and sunshine!
Laura xo
LINKS TO INFORMATION ON LITERATURE AND MIDWIFERY
- http://www.southdeltamidwifery.ca/
Is the link to my midwifery clinic if you want to learn more about midwives and what they do it's a user friendly, informative site.
- https://www.ovuline.com/#ovia-pregnancy-app
Is the link to the pregnancy app I have on my phone. They also have a fertility app to help you figure out when you're most likely to get pregnant.
This app has an awesome feature that lets you type in a food you're wondering about (if it's ok to eat or not) and it will tell you yes or no and why. They also have a similar feature for drugs (for example Tylenol is okay while pregnant but Advil is not).
- http://www.anydaynowbirthservices.com/
Is the link for doula services and further information if you want to know more about what a doula does.
This is one of the books I'm currently reading to stay up to date on what to expect at appointments as well as what questions to ask, things to watch out for and what to expect as my body and the baby go through weekly changes.
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