When should I have my first pre-natal appointment?

The best time to see a health care provider is approximately 6 to 8 weeks after your last period or about 2 weeks after your missed period.  A pregnancy is dated from the last menstrual period, not from actual conception.  When you miss your first period, you are therefore 4 weeks pregnant, which can be quite confusing, but the period is an identifiable ‘starting point’.  A pregnancy test will show positive from about 10 to 14 days after conception, at about the time of the missed period.  An ultrasound will only convincingly show an embryo with a heartbeat at 7 weeks, 3 weeks after your missed period.  To reduce unnecessary stress, it is best to only have your first appointment from 7 weeks onwards.  If there is any bleeding during this time, then obviously you should seek medical advice.