Pregnancy Facts: Accuracy of Pregnancy Tests and OB/GYN Visits

You are sitting down, likely in a bathroom, holding the device that you tested yourself with in one hand. You may be staring at it intently, or maybe you put it down and stared at the wall, all the while, ticking off the seconds in your mind until the results are delivered. You know they are coming, and you want them - right now. But when the strip turns blue, you experience myriad emotions.

You might feel elated because this is the answer to every prayer. You might feel terrified because you thought you used the right protection. You might feel both and with good reason. Discovering that you are pregnant is probably one of the most wonderfully terrifying experiences that you will ever have whether you were planning to be pregnant or not.

So take a moment, sit down and just breathe. Let yourself relax, there's a reason why pregnancy takes 9 months. You're going to use those 9 months to prepare. Start the preparation right from the beginning with deep breaths and relaxing right now. The first question you may be asking right now is:

Can a Pregnancy Test Lie?

You can get a false positive from a home pregnancy test. If you're concerned about that, you can do two things. The first is optional, the second is necessary. Go back to the store and buy another pregnancy test, be sure it's a different, but reputable brand. Repeat the test. If it comes up positive, then chances are the first result was not a false positive.

Now, you need to call your OB/GYN and schedule a visit. Chances are they will want to see you right away to confirm the pregnancy with a blood test. There are three reasons for doing this as soon as possible. The first is that an ectopic pregnancy (where the embryo implants in the fallopian tube rather than the uterus). An ectopic pregnancy can show up as a positive pregnancy, but it is dangerous for the mother and it's not viable.

Second, getting the pregnancy confirmed by your OB/GYN lets you get started on your pre-natal regimen. You'll be prescribed pre-natal vitamins that are high in folic acid and iron and usually contain a stool softener. You will really appreciate the latter as you go forward.

Finally, getting your pregnancy confirmed by a doctor makes it real. The home pregnancy test is a pretty eye opening experience, but your doctor is there for you. If you have a regular gynecologist, you will probably want them to be involved. If you don't, don't be afraid to shop around to find the OB/GYN that's right for you, because you're going to be spending a lot of time with this doctor and you want them to be the best they can be.

Visiting the OB/GYN

How often are you going to be visiting? At first, you'll just be going once a month. It'll be a check up, to see how you are doing and how the baby is progressing. When I found out I was pregnant, I also had a terrifically bad head cold. The doctor advised me then, that sometimes that's normal. Pregnancy can actually throw your body off and the hormones can lead to an upset system. Thus, I had a cold and I was having trouble fighting it.

Because I was pregnant, there were only a few types of medications that were deemed safe for me to take. Interestingly enough, in 2000, Benadryl wasn't an approved medication for a pregnant woman (I had massive allergies at the time too) so I literally suffered my way through those portions of the year. Whereas in 2006, Benadryl made the list as safe for the mother to take while she was pregnant. Things change and your doctor is going to be the best source for medical advice that you can get.

Your monthly visits may increase to every two to three weeks as the doctor deems necessary. There are a number of reasons this can happen whether it's something to do with you or with the baby. Remember, for those nine months, your OB/GYN is treating both of you. Your joint health is his or her primary concern and they are going to book you for as many visits as necessary. The sooner you get started in your medical care, the better.