Patient's question:
Dear Doctor,I was supposed to have my period on the 14th of this month, but it hasn’t arrived yet. I took a test this morning and found out I’m pregnant. I just recovered from a cold and didn’t take any medicine. Could you please advise if I should go to the hospital for an ultrasound examination? When would be the most appropriate time to go?
The past two days, I’ve occasionally felt mild pain in my left abdomen for a couple of seconds, then it goes away. I’m not sure what’s causing it. I’d appreciate it if you could help me with this. Thank you!
Doctor's answer:
For the duration of pregnancy, both medicine and clinical practice require the calculation to start from the first day of the last menstrual period, not from the time of sexual intercourse, to avoid inaccurate time calculations. If the pregnancy is intended, it is recommended to visit the hospital for a prenatal check-up about 10 days after the menstrual delay to observe the current development of the baby. Subsequent monthly prenatal check-ups should be scheduled regularly.It is suggested to use a home pregnancy test kit for a preliminary check first. If the two lines are very clear, it indicates pregnancy. If the lines are faint or only one line appears, it is advisable to have a blood hCG test.