I'm Pregnant.... Now What???
Well.. you’re late. Whether you have been trying to have a baby or not, there is a chance you could be pregnant. So, if you think you may be pregnant, what do you do next? Even if having a baby was all part of your plan, the idea that “I am going to be a mom,” while super exciting, can also be a bit scary. On top of that, many new mamas do not really know what the next best steps are. The following are the first steps I recommend you take when you decide you may be pregnant.
Step 1: Take a pregnancy test
The first step I recommend if you think you are pregnant is that you take a pregnancy test. You should be able to find several different options at your local grocery or drug stores. Most of these tests are good enough now that false readings are rare, and some brands even offer early testing. While early testing may be an option (even up to six days before your missed period), I would still wait until you have missed your period. Testing before this can increase the risk of getting a false negative, though rare. Also, your pregnancy hormone, or HCG, levels should be highest up to that point around the time of your missed period. I have also heard that it is best to test with your first urine of the morning because your HCG levels will be highest in your urine at this time of day. Just be sure to follow all the instructions on the box- it’s fairley fool-proof.
Once you have determined you are pregnant and you have celebrated this amazing miracle inside you, then it is time for the nitty-gritty stuff.
Step 2: Start researching providers for your prenatal care
Next, it is time to figure out who you want to provide your prenatal care and even eventually deliver your baby. This could be your family doctor (if they provide this service), an obstetrician (OB or “baby doctor”) you have already established care with in the past, a new obstetrician, or a midwife (For the purpose of this article, “family doctor”, “obstetrician”, or “midwife” will be referred to as “provider.”). Whoever you decide, I recommend you do your research, ask your friends who have had babies who they recommend, and then go with the option that makes you the most comfortable.
One of the first things to consider when picking a provider is where you want to deliver your baby, whether that be the hospital, birthing center, or at home. Not all providers will deliver in any location so it is important to research providers that will deliver based on your preferences. It is always an option to call the office and ask where the provider delivers before making your decision.
When I was researching providers, location was a big deal to me. I did not want to have to drive super far for my appointments so I first searched for OB’s in my general vicinity. Also, I knew that I would be more comfortable with a female provider so I then narrowed my search to females. (This is a preference that is completely up to you and based on what you feel comfortable with.) Once I had narrowed my search to a handful of providers, I made sure these providers were accepting new patients and started to look at reviews on their websites. There are also handy options like Health Grades, which is a site where you can look up reviews on most doctors in the country. Once I had a basic idea of which provider I wanted to provide my care, I then took the next very important step.
Just a note: As I mentioned above, location was a big deal to me. When I first chose an OB, I chose one that was super close to my house. I had already scheduled my first appointment with her when I had this gut feeling that I did not want to go to this doctor. I then switched to my current OB and feel so much better. It’s always important to go with your gut even if you do not have a reason for your feelings- it may be that instinct kicking in! Also, it is perfectly acceptable to switch doctors after you have met. If the vibe is wrong, just switch- there won’t be hurt feelings and you will feel more comfortable in the long run.
Step 3: Contact your insurance company
This next step, to contact your insurance company, is super important before you start your prenatal care. It is important to know if the provider you chose is in your insurance network. What does this mean? To put it very simply, an in-network provider is a doctor that has been approved by your insurance company to provide care based on your specific plan. If you choose a provider that is not in your network, your insurance company may not cover certain medical services and the cost you pay out of pocket could be significantly higher.
Often, you can search for an in-network provider inside your insurance company’s member portal. If you are not familiar with this option, it is always acceptable to contact your insurance company to help you set up your member portal. Also, you should be able to contact a representative to confirm that your provider is in-network. When you call, you can also ask specific questions about your plans' coverage options and determine what and how much your plan will cover. You can also ask about any other resources that your insurance company has that will help support you during your pregnancy. See my post “How Does Your Insurance Company Support Your Pregnancy?” for more information.
If your provider only takes cash payments and does not accept or submit claims to insurance, there is usually an option that allows you to submit your own claims. Often, insurance companies will cover some of the cost of your services in this situation. (If this is your situation and you would like further information, please feel free to contact me.)
Step 4: Call to schedule your first prenatal appointment
Once you have picked your preferred provider and checked with your insurance company, you are then ready to schedule your first prenatal appointment. When I scheduled my first appointment, I was unsure whether or not I needed a referral from my primary family doctor so I called my primary doctor first. They informed me that I did not need a referral and I could contact the OB’s office directly. (This is something that your insurance company should be able to answer as well.) If your OB’s office has multiple providers, it is important to specify which provider you would like to schedule with. Most offices will not offer the option and will schedule you with any available provider. When I called to schedule my appointment, I expected further instruction on how to care for myself and my growing baby. Usually, these schedulers are only able to schedule appointments. If you have further health related questions it is always acceptable to ask to speak to a nurse. Do not be alarmed! The provider will generally not see you in office until you are 8-12 weeks pregnant. Until that time your baby is not super visible on an ultrasound and will not have an audible heart beat. If you have any concerns, it is always acceptable to contact your provider’s office and they will direct you on how to proceed. (Be on the look-out for more on “when to contact your doctor” in upcoming posts.)
Step 5: Start taking a prenatal vitamin
When you call your provider to schedule, they may prescribe you a prenatal vitamin. My doctor prescribed me a vitamin that was 100% covered by my insurance company, but you also have the option to purchase your own from a source you trust. Nutrition is super important during pregnancy and your body will require extra nutrients to help your baby grow. Often it is difficult, especially once morning sickness kicks in, to receive the required nutrients from your food only, so supplementation is important. No matter where you get your vitamin, I recommend you look at the inactive ingredients to make sure there are not any ingredients you are not comfortable consuming. I also recommend you look at the specific nutrients in the vitamin to ensure you are receiving an adequate amount of these nutrients to supplement your diet. Some especially important nutrients to look for in your prenatal vitamin are vitamin B1, B6, B7, B9 (folate), vitamin D, calcium, choline, iodine, iron, magnesium, omega 3, selenium, zinc, and biotin (Low Dog 2016, 256). (Be on the look-out for more on prenatal vitamins in upcoming posts.)
Step 6: Rest, rest, rest!
I know that was a ton of information, but once you have done these things then your main responsibility is to get the rest you need to grow your baby. Pregnancy can be an exhausting time so don’t feel bad if you need a nap or an early bedtime! Just remember that a life is growing inside of you and give yourself some grace.
As always, if you have any questions about the topics in this post or any other questions feel free to contact me through a private message on Facebook or Instagram or email me at words4health.rn@gmail.com. Happy napping!
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