Pregnancy Confirmation

What is a pregnancy confirmation appointment?

A pregnancy confirmation visit is for anyone who has had a positive pregnancy test or believes that they are pregnant. This visit can be conducted virtually or in the Tia Clinic and includes a review of early pregnancy symptoms managment and recommendations for first trimester health optimization. This visit does not usually include an ultrasound but might if indicated. Your provider can also make recommendations about diet, exercise, safety, prenatal vitamins & supplements and refer to an OB.

When to schedule an appointment

If you have a positive pregnancy test or have missed periods with reason to believe you are pregnant, we recommend scheduling a pregnancy confirmation appointment with Tia.

What to expect during your pregnancy confirmation

This is a consultation based visit to review medical and medication history, pregnancy history, menstrual history and current symptoms. Recommendation review. This visit does not usually include a physical exam but may include orders for additional testing like blood work and imaging.

Potential treatment plans - caring for yourself during early pregnancy

Lifestyle Changes

When pregnant, there are certain (temporary) lifestyle changes that are strongly recommended in efforts to ensure the health of both you and your baby during the course of your pregnancy.

Diet and Nutrition

Pregnancy creates extra demands for certain nutrients, including iron, calcium, iodine, and many vitamins, aim for a balanced diet with foods from a variety of food groups!

Prenatal vitamins - A daily prenatal vitamin can help prepare you for pregnancy while nourishing your body. Look for one that contains a minimum of 400 micrograms of folic acid and 800 milligrams of DHA.

Vegetarians - Lentils, beans, tofu, and eggs can replace animal foods in a vegetarian diet. If you do not eat foods derived from animals, a daily 1000 mcg vitamin B12 supplement is recommended. Vitamin B12 is essential for baby’s brain development.

Folate - Folate (or folic acid) is a vitamin found in various foods. The recommendation is to take a folate supplement for two months before you get pregnant and for the first three months of pregnancy, to reduce the risk of spinal problems such as spina bifida in your baby. In addition to a diet rich in folate, a daily supplement containing 500 mcg (0.5 mg) of folic acid is recommended. Many prenatal vitamins contain this essential nutrient.

Fish - Fish can be a part of a well-balanced diet during pregnancy. One to three serves of fish per week is recommended. Certain types of fish should be limited because of their high levels of mercury. Try to limit shark, marlin, swordfish, orange roughy, and catfish to no more than once per week.

Food safety & hygiene - Listeria and toxoplasmosis are uncommon infections that can be passed onto your unborn baby causing complications. To reduce your risk of infection:

• Wash your hands, chopping boards and cooking utensils when preparing food
• Wash vegetables and fruit before eating them
• Avoid cold sliced meats e.g. ham and salami, cold cooked chicken, uncooked seafood, pre-prepared salads and unpasteurized cheeses.
• Listeria is killed by cooking, so make sure that when you reheat food, it is very hot.
• Cook meat thoroughly
• Wear disposable gloves if handling cat litter or gardening
• Wash your hands after gardening or touching pets.

Iodine in pregnancy - Iodine is another important nutrient for your baby’s brain development. To ensure adequate iodine either:

• Eat fish one to three times a week (limit high mercury types) and/or
• Use iodized salt
• Take a multivitamin for pregnancy that contains iodine

Vitamin D - Vitamin D is mostly made in the skin by exposure to sunlight, but a small amount can come from foods like oily fish, egg yolks, margarine, and some milk brands. Vitamin D is important for the development of your baby’s bones and teeth. You can also add a daily 1000-2000 IU supplement.

Caring for Yourself During Pregnancy

While pregnant, you should take certain precautions in order to ensure your health.