When to go to the doctor after positive pregnancy test

See a GP or midwife as soon as you find out you're pregnant. It's important to see a midwife or GP as early as possible to get the pregnancy (antenatal) care and information you need to have a healthy pregnancy.

Table of Contents Show

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
Knowing that you're pregnant
Telling people that you're pregnant
Flu and pregnancy
Further information
Video: sex during pregnancy
Why do I need to visit a doctor soon after a pregnancy test?
What doctor should I consult during pregnancy?
What happens at first doctor's appointment after positive pregnancy test?
Which doctor should I go to after positive pregnancy test?

If you're not yet registered with a GP, use the service search to find a GP near you. You can also find out about local maternity services.

Your pregnancy can be treated confidentially, even if you are under 16. A GP or midwife can tell you about your choices for pregnancy (antenatal) care in your local area. Being pregnant may affect the treatment of any current illness or conditions you have or later develop.

Read about the signs and symptoms of pregnancy and doing a pregnancy test.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update

If you're well, it's really important you go to all your appointments and scans for the health of you and your baby.

If you're pregnant, hospitals and clinics are making sure it's safe for you to go to appointments.

If you get symptoms of COVID-19, or you're unwell with something other than COVID-19, speak to your midwife or maternity team. They will advise you what to do.

Find out more about pregnancy and COVID-19

Knowing that you're pregnant

When you find out you're pregnant, you may feel happy and excited, or shocked, confused and upset. Everybody is different.

Some of this may be caused by changes in your hormone levels, which can make you feel more emotional.

If you are feeling anxious or worried it will help to talk to someone, read about mental health in pregnancy.

Partners

Partners may also have mixed feelings when they find out you are pregnant. They may find it hard to talk about their feelings because they do not want to upset you. Both of you should encourage each other to talk about your feelings and any worries or concerns.

However you're feeling, contact an NHS professional (such as a midwife, GP or practice nurse) so you can start getting antenatal (pregnancy) care. This is the care that you'll receive leading up to the birth of your baby.

Find out about your schedule of antenatal appointments.

Telling people that you're pregnant

You may want to tell your family and friends immediately, or wait a while until you know how you feel. Or you may want to wait until you have had your first ultrasound scan, when you're around 12 weeks pregnant, before you tell people.

Some of your family or friends may have mixed feelings or react in unexpected ways to your news. You may wish to discuss this with a midwife.

Read about dealing with feelings and relationships in pregnancy.

Flu and pregnancy

The seasonal flu vaccine is offered if you are pregnant and at any stage of pregnancy. If you are pregnant and catch the flu virus, you are at an increased risk of complications and flu-related hospital admissions.

Find out about the flu jab and pregnancy.

Talk to a GP or midwife if you're unsure about which vaccinations you should have.

Further information

You may also find the information from Sex Wise about being pregnant and not knowing what to do is helpful in explaining the choices you have.

Video: sex during pregnancy

This video explores the myths surrounding sex during pregnancy.

Media last reviewed: 2 December 2020
Media review due: 2 December 2023

by Diane Rai |

Medically reviewed by Dr Ashwini Nabar, Gynaecologist and Obstetrician | June 2022 |

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

You may feel delighted and overwhelmed by the good news when you first get it, but one of the first things you need to do when you find out you're pregnant, is book an appointment with your doctor.

It's important for your and your growing baby's health to be followed by a doctor as early on in your pregnancy as possible. Even if you were pregnant before, each pregnancy is different and so it's important to see a doctor as soon as you know you're expecting.

Don't wait too long after a missed period to test for pregnancy. Most pregnancy tests will be able to detect the pregnancy hormone hCG by the time you have a missed period.

If you have an irregular cycle, you might not notice that your period is late since it comes at different times. In this case watch out for other pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness, painful breasts, frequent urination or changes to your sense of taste and smell. If you have some of the common pregnancy symptoms, take a home pregnancy test.

It's best to visit your doctor for the first time before you're 8 weeks pregnant. By the time you have a missed period, if your cycle is a regular 28-day cycle, you are already considered to be in your 5th week of pregnancy. This is because your pregnancy week is counted from the first day of your last period. So the week of your last menstrual period (lmp) is week 1. By the time your next period is due, four weeks are completed.

Pregnancy is counted from your last menstrual period (lmp) because it's impossible to know exactly when conception happens.

Why do I need to visit a doctor soon after a pregnancy test?

When you see your doctor after your home pregnancy test shows a positive result, your doctor will:

Calculate your due date and see how far along in your pregnancy you already are.
Check for any family or personal health factors, or age-related factors that might pose a pregnancy risk.
Prescribe several tests that will firstly confirm your pregnancy and then detect any potential health risks for your pregnancy.
Advise you on prenatal supplements that you need to take as soon as you get pregnant.
Check that your cervix has closed. During early pregnancy, the cervix (the opening of your uterus) gets closed with thick mucus that forms what is called a mucus plug. This mucus plug seals your womb and acts as a barrier that prevents any bacteria, fungus or anything else from accessing your womb from your vagina. This mucus plug usually stays in place in your cervix till your body gets ready for giving birth.
If you are already six weeks pregnant, your doctor might also check to hear for your baby's heartbeat.

What doctor should I consult during pregnancy?

Doctors that look after the health of pregnant women are called obstetricians (ob). A gynaecologist (gyn) is a doctor that looks after the general reproductive and sexual health of a woman. An obstetrician specialises in pregnancy health and giving birth.

Most obstetricians will have the qualifications (ob, gyn) next to their name to show that they are both a gynaecologist and obstetrician. If you consult a doctor who is only a gynaecologist, you will need to change doctors when you become pregnant to one that is also an obstetrician.

Know more about how to choose your doctor.

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What happens at first doctor's appointment after positive pregnancy test?

At the first visit, we will do an ultrasound to verify that the pregnancy is in the correct location, see the baby's heartbeat, confirm the number of babies (could be more than one!) and do measurements to determine your most accurate due date.

Which doctor should I go to after positive pregnancy test?

Your first step is to make an appointment with an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN). This is the doctor who will guide your medical care during and after the pregnancy.