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can i be pregnant?

By February 3, 2010 - 10:38am
 
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well i missed my period last month and just yesturday i took a home pregnancy test and it came out positive and well im still not sure if i am pregnant because i heard that some home pregnancy test can give you a false result so what should i do??

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Alejandra--

Congratulations! You are more than likely pregnant and should schedule an appointment with your OB/GYN to verify your pregnancy.

If you aren't doing so already, taking a prenatal vitamin during your pregnancy, especially the first trimester, is extremely important.
Also, it's time to start watching what you eat so here is a list from AmericanPregnancy.org of foods to avoid:

Raw Meat: Uncooked seafood and rare or undercooked beef or poultry should be avoided because of the risk of contamination with coliform bacteria, toxoplasmosis, and salmonella.

Deli Meat: Deli meats have been known to be contaminated with listeria, which can cause miscarriage. Listeria has the ability to cross the placenta and may infect the baby leading to infection or blood poisoning, which may be life-threatening. If you are pregnant and you are considering eating deli meats, make certain that you reheat the meat until it is steaming.

Fish with Mercury: Fish that contain high levels of mercury should be avoided. Mercury consumed during pregnancy has been linked to developmental delays and brain damage. A sample of these types of fish include: shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. Canned, chunk light tuna generally has a lower amount of mercury than other tuna, but still should only be eaten in moderation. Certain types of fish used in sushi should also be avoided due to high levels of mercury.

Smoked Seafood -Refrigerated, smoked seafood often labeled as lox, nova style, kippered, or jerky should be avoided because it could be contaminated with Listeria. (These are safe to eat when they are in an ingredient in a meal that has been cooked, like a casserole.) This type of fish is often found in the deli section of your grocery store. Canned or shelf-safe smoked seafood is usually OK to eat.

Fish Exposed to Industrial Pollutants: Avoid fish from contaminated lakes and rivers that may be exposed to high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls. This is primarily for those who fish in local lakes and streams. These fish include: bluefish, striped bass, salmon, pike, trout, and walleye. Contact the local health department or Environmental Protection Agency to determine which fish are safe to eat in your area. Remember, this is regarding fish caught in LOCAL waters and not fish from your local grocery store.

Raw Shellfish: The majority of seafood-borne illness is caused by undercooked shellfish, which include oysters, clams, and mussels. Cooking helps prevent some types of infection, but it does not prevent the algae-related infections that are associated with red tides. Raw shellfish pose a concern for everybody, and they should be avoided altogether during pregnancy.

Raw Eggs: Raw eggs or any foods that contain raw eggs should be avoided because of the potential exposure to salmonella.

If the recipe is cooked at some point, this will reduce the exposure to salmonella. Commercially manufactured ice cream, dressings, and eggnog are made with pasteurized eggs and do not increase the risk of salmonella. Restaurants should be using pasteurized eggs in any recipe that is made with raw eggs, such as Hollandaise sauce or dressings.

Soft Cheeses: Imported soft cheeses may contain bacteria called Listeria, which can cause miscarriage. Listeria has the ability to cross the placenta and may infect the baby leading to infection or blood poisoning, which can be life-threatening. You would need to avoid soft cheeses such as: Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, Feta, Gorgonzola and Mexican style cheeses that include queso blanco and queso fresco, unless they clearly state that they are made from pasteurized milk. All soft non-imported cheeses made with pasteurized milk are safe to eat.

Unpasteurized Milk: Unpasteurized milk may contain bacteria called listeria, which can cause miscarriage. Listeria has the ability to cross the placenta and may infect the baby leading to infection or blood poisoning, which can be life-threatening. Make sure that any milk you drink is pasteurized.

Pate: Refrigerated pate or meat spreads should be avoided because they may contain the bacteria listeria. Canned pate, or shelf-safe meat spreads can be eaten.

Caffeine: Although most studies show that caffeine intake in moderation is OK, there are others that show that caffeine intake may be related to miscarriages. Avoid caffeine during the first trimester to reduce the likelihood of a miscarriage. As a general rule, caffeine should be limited to fewer than 300 mg per day during pregnancy. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it helps eliminate fluids from the body. This can result in water and calcium loss. It is important that you are drinking plenty of water, juice, and milk rather than caffeinated beverages. Some research shows that large amounts of caffeine are associated with miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, and withdrawal symptoms in infants. The safest thing is to refrain from consuming caffeine.

Alcohol: There is NO amount of alcohol that is known to be safe during pregnancy, and therefore alcohol should be avoided during pregnancy.

Unwashed Vegetables: Although Veggies are great during pregnancy, make sure they are thoroughly washed.

The APA has also listed a few important questions to ask your OB during your first prenatal visit, such as:

1. Is there a nurse line that I can call if I have questions?
2. If I experience bleeding or cramping, do I call you? Do I talk with your nurse?
3. What do you consider an emergency?
4. When will my next appointment be scheduled for?

You can take this list with you along with any other questions or concerns that you and/or your partner may have.

Hope this helps get you started to a happy and healthy pregnancy-- best wishes!

February 4, 2010 - 1:07pm
(reply to Rosa Cabrera RN)

thx a lot for your help it really relieves me

February 4, 2010 - 7:44pm

well im happy i have a daughter and well i just want her to have someone to play with and yes i do have a doctor and yes i would love more information...thx oh and so could i be pregnant then...

February 4, 2010 - 11:09am

Alejandra,

Yes, some home pregnancy tests could give a false result, but that tends to happen when a woman either uses it too early or doesn't use it correctly.

And most false results are false negatives.

With a positive test, you can be quite sure that you are pregnant. The test has detected HCG in your urine, which is a hormone that the body produces only during pregnancy.

How do you feel about being pregnant? Do you have a doctor that you can make an appointment to see? Can we find you any information?

February 3, 2010 - 11:17am
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