It’s not always easy to get an appointment with the doctor, is it? That’s true even if you’re lucky enough to be able to afford private healthcare. And speaking of cost, everyone knows that the cost of medical care in the United States is incredibly high. It’s scary wondering whether your insurance is going to cover your condition. But it’s not all about being able to afford to go and get a test, or being able to find a slot with your medical professional that works for you.
Some people find it tough to talk to a doctor, period. It’s not always easy to summon the courage to have a conversation about something that makes you nervous. And it can often seem like doing a test that’s just for you shouldn’t take priority when you’re pregnant. That’s why it’s a great idea to check and see if the test that you need is available to take at home. Medical technology is evolving so quickly. There are so many home testing kits that can save you a lot of time and stress.
Blood Pressure Test
You’re going to need to keep a careful eye on your blood pressure as you get older. It’s also very important to keep checking your blood pressure levels during pregnancy. High blood pressure can be an early warning sign of a lot of different illnesses. The big ones include heart disease (you really don’t want to start down that path) and strokes. There are a lot of different lifestyle choices that you can make which will massively reduce your risk of suffering a stroke, and you can use a home blood pressure monitor to check how you’re getting on. Your blood pressure should be less than 120/80 mm Hg. You should get in touch with your doctor if it’s higher.
Home Paternity Test
From a common health issue to a subject that’s a little more delicate, the issue of paternity can be a sensitive one. Doing a paternity test is entirely up to you and your partner. Some people are fine not having concrete evidence of the who the biological father is. However, some couples find that it helps to give the father more peace of mind and give everyone the best possible start as they begin their life as a family. It can be tricky talking to doctors and people outside the family about things when you’re not sure about paternity as it is such a personal issue. However, you can use an at-home paternity test that’s easy to do and completely painless. This home paternity test kit by AlphaBiolabs gives you everything you need and comes with easy instructions, and they can have your test results back to you quickly.
Breast Cancer Checks
Here’s a test that everyone should be doing on a regular basis. The last thing you want to be thinking about while you’re pregnant is the possibility of a long-term illness. However, anyone who has ever lost someone to cancer knows that you never get to pick and choose the time of a condition like this. It is also vital to remember that you will have a much better chance of successful treatment for cancer if you can catch it early. That’s why you absolutely must keep performing regular checks for any unusual lumps or bumps. You should call your doctor if you find anything that feels unfamiliar, and the same goes for any recent moles that you may have noticed so keep an eye on your skin too. The things to look out for when you’re examining moles are irregular borders, unusual color, anything large, and anything that looks asymmetrical.
Mental Health Checks
This point is a little trickier than some of the others as there is no concrete way to prove to yourself that you’re doing well. But it’s important to remember that a lot of people struggle with their mental health during pregnancy. Not only is this a time of enormous change for you and your family, especially if this is your first child, but your hormones will be changing, and you will be more exhausted than you are normally. That’s why you need to keep a careful eye on your moods. No one can really expect to be a bright ray of sunshine every day but if you find yourself feeling low regularly then you should think about talking to your doctor. You should also reach out to friends and family if you feel like you can. Keep getting out of the house and getting into the sunshine, when possible, but give yourself permission to relax and put your feet up when you need to. Talk to your partner about taking on more of the load.
