Pregnant? Test and doctor provide certainty
If your period is delayed, pregnancy cannot be ruled out. To find out for sure, many women take a pregnancy test. It measures the amount of the pregnancy hormone beta-HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which rises in the urine shortly after fertilization.
If the test is positive, there is a high probability that you really are pregnant. “When should I go to the doctor?”, many women then ask themselves. It’s best to go straight away: the gynecologist can definitely confirm a pregnancy and start medical prenatal care straight away. This helps to identify or reduce any health risks for mother and child at an early stage.
Unintended pregnancy
Women who are not ready for a child for various reasons and want to have an abortion should also see a doctor as soon as possible. An abortion may only be carried out up to the twelfth week of pregnancy.
An exception only applies to abortions for medical reasons – i.e. if there is a health risk to the mother or child. In this case, an abortion is also permitted after the twelfth week.
Initial examinations by the doctor
Antenatal care
Pregnancy care is regulated by law to protect the expectant mother and the unborn child. The aim of these maternity protection guidelines is to identify high-risk pregnancies or high-risk miscarriages at an early stage and to provide appropriate care.
The doctor’s task is to provide the woman with comprehensive information, education and advice. Regular health checks and medical examinations and treatment tailored to the individual woman are also part of the doctor’s remit.
Another component of the preventive care program is the maternity record. For example, the calculated due date, examinations carried out and any illnesses and hospital stays are entered in it.
Discussions and advice
In order to better assess the potential risks of pregnancy, the doctor will ask the woman about previous pregnancies and births, operations, illnesses (including family illnesses), living conditions and lifestyle. In certain cases, the doctor may recommend that the pregnant woman undergo genetic testing, for example if there are known genetic diseases in the family. The doctor will advise the woman accordingly.
Physical examinations
Standard examinations during pregnancy include ultrasound and gynecological examinations (such as smear tests). The woman’s blood pressure and weight are also measured regularly. In addition, prenatal care includes blood and urine tests, for example the determination of blood group and rhesus factor as well as the measurement of sugar levels in the urine. Screening for gestational diabetes is also very important.
Regular examinations provide information about the course of the pregnancy and possible risks.
Conclusion
So the answer to the question “Pregnant – when to see a doctor?” is: go to the doctor if you suspect you are pregnant and then whenever you have an appointment for prenatal care or you have any complaints (such as pain or bleeding). Your own health and that of your child are then in good hands!
