Tested positive? What to do now

A positive test is almost certainly right. Whatever you’re feeling right now, here’s what to do in the first few days. You don’t need to do it all today.

This week

1. Take folic acid and vitamin D

Take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day until you’re 12 weeks pregnant. It helps protect against neural tube defects such as spina bifida. You’ll be advised to take a higher dose (5 milligrams) if:

you or the baby’s biological father have a neural tube defect
you or the baby’s biological father have a family history of neural tube defects
you’ve had a previous pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect
you have diabetes
you take anti-epilepsy medicine
you take anti-retroviral medicine for HIV

If any of these apply, speak to your GP, as the higher dose needs a prescription. You need 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day too, and should avoid cod liver oil and any supplements containing vitamin A (retinol).

2. Refer yourself to a midwife

You can refer yourself to your local maternity service as soon as you know you’re pregnant, without seeing a GP first. Your first midwife appointment (the booking appointment) is usually between 8 and 12 weeks, ideally by 10 weeks, so it’s worth getting in touch now. Read what happens at your first midwife appointment.

If you’ve had a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy before, or you have a long-term health condition, tell the maternity service when you refer yourself.

3. Check any medicines

If you take regular medicine, don’t stop it suddenly. Ask your GP or a pharmacist whether it’s safe in pregnancy. Ask a pharmacist before taking anything new, including remedies you buy over the counter.

4. Alcohol, smoking, caffeine and food

The safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all. If you drank before you knew, try not to worry, and mention it to your midwife.
If you smoke, your midwife or GP can help you stop.
Keep caffeine under 200mg a day, about two mugs of instant coffee.
Some foods are best avoided in pregnancy, like some soft cheeses and raw or undercooked meat. Check the NHS: foods to avoid in pregnancy list.

Help with costs

In England, ask your midwife, GP or health visitor for a maternity exemption certificate (MatEx). It gives you free NHS prescriptions and dental treatment while you’re pregnant and for 12 months after your baby is born.

In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, prescriptions are free for everyone, and NHS dental treatment is free while you’re pregnant and for 12 months after your baby is born. Ask your dentist what proof you need.

If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant and get certain benefits, or you’re under 18, you may be able to get Healthy Start (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or Best Start Foods (Scotland). These help you buy milk, fruit, vegetables and pulses, and you can get free vitamins.

Who to tell

Your maternity service. Referring yourself is the most important call to make.
Your GP, only if you need to, for example to check your medicines or get a higher dose of folic acid. You don’t need them to confirm the pregnancy.
Your partner, family and friends, whenever feels right. Some people tell close family straight away, others wait until after their first scan.
Your employer, when you’re ready. You need to tell them at least 15 weeks before the start of the week your baby is due (at about 25 weeks pregnant). Telling them sooner means you can take paid time off for antenatal appointments, and they can check your work is safe. Read telling your employer you’re pregnant.

What happens next

After your booking appointment, you’ll be offered a dating scan at around 10 to 14 weeks, which gives you a more accurate due date. Until then, our due date calculator gives you an estimate, counted from the first day of your last period. For the timeline of the weeks ahead, see your first few weeks, step by step.

If you’ve had fertility treatment

Tell your clinic your result and follow their plan. You should still refer yourself to your local maternity service. Don’t stop any medicines your clinic has prescribed unless they tell you to. If you have any bleeding or a brown, watery discharge, contact your fertility clinic or NHS 111 as soon as possible.

If you’ve had a loss before

A positive test after a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy can bring fear as well as hope. Tell your maternity service about it when you refer yourself. Tommy’s midwives (0800 0147 800, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) support people through pregnancy after loss.

How you might be feeling

Excited, shocked, scared, unsure? All of it is normal. Read your feelings after a positive test, including support if this pregnancy wasn’t planned. For the symptoms you might notice now, see early signs of pregnancy.

Questions people ask

Do I need to see a GP to confirm the pregnancy?

No. A positive home test is enough. You can refer yourself straight to your local maternity service.

Should I do another test to be sure?

You don’t need to. The NHS says a positive result is almost certainly correct. If the line was very faint, test again in a couple of days.

How many weeks pregnant am I?

Pregnancy is counted from the first day of your last period, so when you miss your period you’re already about 4 weeks pregnant. Our due date calculator works it out for you.

When will I see a midwife?

Your booking appointment is usually between 8 and 12 weeks, ideally by 10 weeks. If you’ve referred yourself and haven’t heard back, contact your local maternity service.

When to get help

Mild cramps that ease with rest are usually nothing to worry about. But get urgent advice from your maternity unit, an early pregnancy unit or NHS 111 if you have:

any bleeding or spotting, even if it’s light
tummy pain that’s severe, on one side, or hasn’t eased after resting for 30 to 60 minutes
pain in the tip of your shoulder

Call 999 if you have bleeding along with severe tummy pain, pain in your shoulder, or feeling sick, faint or dizzy, or if the bleeding is heavy (soaking a pad soon after putting it on). Also call 999 if you have sudden, sharp and intense tummy pain and you feel very dizzy or faint, feel sick or look very pale. These can be signs of an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage that need treating straight away.