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 medication. Could you please advise if I should go to the hospital for an ultrasound examination? When would be the most appropriate time to do it?
The past two days, I’ve occasionally felt pain on my left abdomen for a couple of seconds, then it goes away. I’m not sure what’s causing it. Could you please help me understand 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 inaccuracies in the timing. If the pregnancy is intended, it is recommended to visit the hospital for a prenatal check-up about ten days after the menstrual period is delayed to observe the current development of the baby. Subsequent monthly prenatal check-ups should be scheduled regularly.It is suggested to use a pregnancy test kit for a preliminary test first. If the two lines are very clear, it indicates pregnancy. If the lines are faint or only one line appears, blood hCG testing should be conducted.