Positive Pregnancy Test: What Should I Do Next?
Seeing a positive pregnancy test can bring excitement, uncertainty or a mixture of emotions. You may immediately begin wondering how many weeks pregnant you are, whether you need blood tests, when to arrange an ultrasound and who you should see first.
The early weeks involve several time-sensitive decisions, but you do not need to organise everything at once. Beginning with an early pregnancy appointment can help you understand what is recommended for you and create a clear plan for the weeks ahead.
Arrange your first pregnancy appointment
Australian guidance recommends beginning antenatal care early in pregnancy, ideally with an initial appointment before 10 weeks.
You can begin your pregnancy care with a GP, Endorsed Midwife or another appropriately qualified maternity-care professional. You do not need a GP referral to make an appointment with an Endorsed Midwife.
Your first appointment may include:
Reviewing your medical and pregnancy history
Estimating how many weeks pregnant you are
Discussing current medications and supplements
Organising pregnancy blood tests
Discussing whether and when an ultrasound is recommended
Exploring genetic screening choices
Considering your options for ongoing maternity care
Identifying any individual risk factors or additional care needs
Work out how many weeks pregnant you may be
Pregnancy is usually dated from the first day of your last menstrual period, even though conception generally occurs approximately two weeks later.
It is useful to note:
The first day of your last menstrual period
Your usual cycle length
Whether your cycles are regular
The date of your positive pregnancy test
Any known ovulation, insemination or embryo-transfer dates
This information can provide an initial estimated due date. An ultrasound may later provide more accurate pregnancy dating, particularly if your menstrual dates are uncertain or your cycles are irregular.
Review medications and supplements
Pregnancy can affect which medications and supplements are recommended, but you should not stop prescribed medication without first speaking with an appropriately qualified health professional.
At your early appointment, provide a complete list of:
Prescription medications
Pharmacy and over-the-counter medicines
Vitamins and pregnancy supplements
Herbal or complementary products
In Australia, folic acid and iodine supplementation are generally recommended during pregnancy. The appropriate preparation and dose may differ according to your medical history, dietary needs and individual risk factors.
A health professional can also discuss food safety, alcohol, smoking, vaping and other lifestyle considerations relevant to early pregnancy.
Arrange your early pregnancy blood tests
Several blood tests are routinely offered during early pregnancy to assess your health and identify factors that may affect pregnancy care.
These may include tests relating to:
Blood group and Rhesus status
Antibodies
Full blood count and iron status
Immunity to particular infections
Hepatitis, HIV and syphilis screening
Urine testing
Other investigations based on your health and pregnancy history
Not every woman requires exactly the same investigations. Additional testing may be recommended based on previous pregnancies, symptoms, medications, medical conditions or family history.
A quantitative beta-hCG blood test is not routinely required in every pregnancy. It may be requested when clinically indicated, such as when pregnancy dating or development requires further assessment.
Consider when to arrange a dating ultrasound
A dating ultrasound may be recommended to:
Confirm that the pregnancy is located within the uterus
Assess pregnancy viability
Check fetal heart activity when appropriate for gestation
Confirm whether there is one baby or more
Provide more accurate pregnancy dating
Dating scans are often arranged at approximately 7 to 8 weeks, although the most appropriate timing depends on your dates, symptoms, clinical history and reason for the scan.
Having an ultrasound too early may provide limited or inconclusive information and sometimes leads to the need for a repeat scan.
Understand your genetic screening choices
Early pregnancy is also the time to consider reproductive carrier screening and screening for chromosomal conditions.
Options may include:
Reproductive carrier screening
Non-invasive prenatal testing, known as NIPT, available from 10 weeks
Combined first trimester screening, including a nuchal translucency scan generally arranged around 12 to 13 weeks and 6 days
These are screening tests, not diagnostic tests. Choosing whether to undertake screening is a personal decision, and it is helpful to understand what each option examines, its limitations, potential costs and what you might choose to do with the results.
Your midwife or doctor can help you consider the available options without assuming that one choice is right for everyone.
Begin thinking about your ongoing maternity care
You do not need to make every decision immediately, but some maternity services and private practitioners book early.
Your options may include:
Public hospital maternity care
Midwifery Group Practice or caseload care
GP shared care
Private obstetric care
Private midwifery care
Birth centre or homebirth programs where available and appropriate
Availability and referral processes vary according to where you live. Discussing your preferences early gives you more time to understand your options and complete any necessary referrals.
Know when to seek urgent assessment
First Trimester Midwife is a pre-booked telehealth service and does not provide emergency or on-call assessment.
Seek urgent medical advice or assessment if you experience symptoms such as:
Heavy vaginal bleeding
Severe or persistent abdominal or pelvic pain
Fainting or significant dizziness
Severe vomiting with an inability to keep fluids down
Fever or feeling seriously unwell
Any symptom that feels severe, rapidly worsening or concerning to you
Depending on your symptoms and location, contact your GP, local maternity service, emergency department or call 000 in an emergency.
Your next steps
After a positive pregnancy test, the most useful first step is to arrange an early appointment with a qualified pregnancy-care professional.
You do not need to navigate blood tests, scans, screening and maternity-care referrals by yourself. A structured early pregnancy appointment can help you understand what is relevant for you and ensure time-sensitive investigations are arranged appropriately.
Need help navigating your first trimester?
First Trimester Midwife provides dedicated, Australia-wide telehealth appointments from a positive pregnancy test until 15 weeks.
Appointments can include pregnancy assessment, blood test and ultrasound referrals, discussion of screening choices, medication and supplement review, early pregnancy guidance and planning for your ongoing maternity care.
Book a bulk-billed telehealth appointment with an Endorsed Midwife.
Clinical review
This article has been prepared and clinically reviewed by an Endorsed Midwife. It is based on current Australian guidance at the time of publication.
Health recommendations and guidelines may change. This information is general in nature and does not replace personalised medical or midwifery assessment, diagnosis or advice.
Published: [insert date]
Last clinically reviewed: [insert date]
Next review due: [insert date]
References
Australian Government Department of Health, Australian Pregnancy Care Guidelines
Healthdirect Australia, Routine antenatal tests
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby, Vitamins and supplements during pregnancy
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby, Warning signs during pregnancy
Important information
This article provides general information only and does not replace personalised medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Recommendations may change, and the information was considered current at the date of review. If you are concerned about your health or pregnancy, contact an appropriate healthcare professional. For urgent symptoms, seek urgent medical care or call 000.
Clinically reviewed by an Endorsed Midwife.
Last reviewed: August 2026