Aspirus | Aspire | Spring 2019

aspirus.org 11 IT’SPOSITIVE! NOWWHAT? Prenatal care is a crucial part of a healthy pregnancy. Call 800.847.4707 to make an appointment to start your care. HOME PREGNANCY TESTS 3 points to ponder Home pregnancy tests seem simple enough: You just urinate on a stick or into a cup, and in a few minutes you find out if there’s a baby on the way. But it’s a little bitmore complicated than that. Here are three important things to knowabout these tests. Timing is everything. You’re likely to get more accurate results if you hold off testing until after the first day youmiss your period. “It is not uncommon for patients to have a negative pregnancy test early in the pregnancy,” said Dr. Kerns. “There is a time after conception before the test will be positive, but once a period ismissed, the pregnancy test will be positive themajority of times.” Waiting helps ensure that there will be enough of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for a pregnancy test to detect. This hormone is produced by the placenta shortly after an embryo attaches to the womb. After implantation, the level of hCG rises rapidly. But the earlier you take the test, the harder it is for hCG to be detected. Accuracy is good, but not perfect. Most home pregnancy tests claimto be up to 99 percent accurate. But that depends on howwell you follow the kit’s instructions. It also hinges on timing: Test too early and you may get what’s known as a false negative. Though you’re pregnant, the test says you’re not because your hCG levels are still too low to detect. You can boost the test’s accuracy by using your first urine of themorning, which contains themost hCG. If you think you’re pregnant, despite negative results, youmight test again in several days. Follow-up is important. After a positive result, make an appointment with your provider to confirm the results and to begin prenatal care. Early and regular medical care can help keep both you and your baby healthy. Sources: Office on Women’s Health; U.S. Food and Drug Administration YOURBABY IS IN GOODHANDS Looking for a provider for your pregnancy? Go to aspirus.org or call the Aspirus Customer Contact Center at 800.847.4707 to find an OB/GYN or a family medicine physician who provides obstetrics care. X X Check your baby’s heartbeat and growth. X X Check your weight and blood pressure. X X Check you for problems, such as anemia, infections and gestational diabetes. X X Talk to you about some essential healthy habits, such as eating well, getting enough folic acid, and not smoking or drinking during your pregnancy. X X Answer your questions and concerns. Prenatal care is best started right away. Call your doctor for an appointment as soon as you can. Sources: March of Dimes; National Insti- tutes of Health; Office on Women’s Health 1 2 3