Pregnancy Archives - Miracle Orchids Medical Center

Whether you are trying for a baby that is part of your family plan or may be having one by surprise, being able to confirm you are pregnant can be a big deal. While some women “just know” in an intuitive way, most of us rely on other forms of verification.

Physical Changes in Your Body

You may start to experience some physical changes in your body when about 3 weeks along. These can include:

Missed period
Back ache
Nausea
Headaches
Fatigue
Mood swings
Bloating
Sensitivity to smells

Unfortunately, most of these can also be attributed to other things, so while they may be evidence of pregnancy it’s best to also consider another method of verification.

Pee-on-a-stick (POAS) Pregnancy Test

This commonly used method tests urine for a hormone that is present after implantation. The tests have varied levels of sensitivity and the hormone increases with time, so testing very early may not be reliable. It is commonly recommended to test at around 3 weeks and then confirm with another test a couple weeks later.

Blood Test

Blood tests are more sensitive to the pregnancy hormone and can be considered accurate at the 3 week mark, but they are seldom used unless there is a medical concern involved.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound technology can show the gestational sac as early as 3-4 weeks, but most doctors wait until 4-6 weeks to recommend one unless there is a medical reason to do so before then. Ultrasounds are often performed throughout pregnancy and are a fun way to document the growth of your baby.

Doppler Heartbeat Detection

Verifying pregnancy by listening for a heartbeat with a Doppler machine (wand on the abdomen) is not reliable until some time between 8 and 12 weeks.

We encourage you to contact your doctor if you think you might be pregnant. They can provide accurate confirmation of pregnancy, support, and information that will help ensure a healthy pregnancy and good outcome.

If you don’t already have an OB/Gyn in the Orange County area that you love, please give us a call. We would love to support you and provide the healthcare you will need.

Miracle Orchids Medical Center – Fountain Valley, CA – (714) 486-1228

If you have decided it is time to start your family we are very excited for you. We have witnessed the miracles of pregnancy, birth and babies and know what a blessing they are.

While most women have no difficulty getting pregnant, about 10 to 15% find it doesn’t happen right away. If you are excited about bringing a new baby into your family as soon as possible there are some simple things you can do to improve your chances of that happening.

Stop Smoking – Tobacco use can inhibit fertility in many ways and it is dangerous for your health and the health of your baby. If you smoke, we encourage you to quit right away.

Exercise, but Not Too Much – While exercise is important for health and can contribute to fertility, excessive exercise can result in skipped periods and missed opportunities for getting pregnant.

Avoid Extremes in Weight – Being underweight or overweight can effect your hormone levels and prevent your pregnancy dreams from coming true.

Ban Alcohol and Drug Use – These substances can make conception difficult and are dangerous for you and your baby. If you use them regularly, it is best to get help stopping them before considering adding a baby into your life.

Limit Caffeine – Caffeine is a stimulant that may hinder your ability to get pregnant. It also raises your blood pressure which can be dangerous during pregnancy and has been associated with birth defects.

If you have had frequent, unprotected sex for over a year without getting pregnant, there may be a fertility issue. Give us a call. We can help identify and in most cases resolve it.