Positive pregnancy test? What to do next in Singapore: a first-week step list, who to see, when the first scan happens, and what to stop

A positive pregnancy test is almost always right. KKH's obstetricians say home test kits are more than 99% accurate, so you don't need to keep retesting. What to do next: start a folic acid supplement if you aren't on one, stop alcohol, smoking and vaping, and list every medicine you take without stopping any that were prescribed. Then book a doctor. HealthHub suggests seeing a doctor to confirm the pregnancy at about six weeks, and the first scan, which dates the pregnancy and checks it's in the womb, happens between 6 and 12 weeks. In Singapore you can start at a polyclinic, which can refer you to KKH, NUH or SGH at subsidised rates, or go straight to a private gynae. If you have heavy bleeding, severe or one-sided tummy pain, or feel faint, don't wait for the appointment: KKH's Urgent O&G Centre is open 24 hours.

Your first week, step by step

Print this or keep it on your phone. Nothing here needs to happen today except the first two items.

Who to see: polyclinic, public hospital or private gynae

There's no single right route. The main difference is cost and how you choose your doctor.

KKH's prices are for Singapore Citizens, from 8 August 2025, consultation only. A self-referred walk-in pays non-subsidised rates, so start with a polyclinic or CHAS GP if cost matters. Our guide to choosing a gynae in Singapore compares the options, and the delivery cost calculator estimates the bill with MediSave.

When is the first scan?

HealthHub says the dating scan can be done any time from week 6 to week 12, counted from the first day of your last period. By the end of week six, the heart starts to beat, and a scan through the vagina can pick up the heartbeat and confirm the pregnancy is in the right place. The scan also gives a more accurate due date than counting from your period.

After that, HealthHub lists the first-trimester combined test, a blood test plus a scan of the fluid at the back of the baby's neck, at 11 to 14 weeks, which detects about 90% of Down syndrome pregnancies. Our week-by-week guides to 6 weeks and 8 weeks pregnant cover the first visit and the blood tests.

What to stop, and what to check

If you've been drinking or taking something before you knew you were pregnant, tell your doctor rather than worrying alone. HealthHub's advice is that being open about what you've taken helps your care team support you, and that it's used for your health, not to judge you. Our guide to coffee while pregnant shows how kopi, teh and bubble tea add up.

When to go to the hospital now

Bleeding and cramps in early pregnancy are common and often settle, but some are warning signs of a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, which grows outside the womb and can bleed internally. KKH's obstetricians say blood hCG tests are sometimes repeated to diagnose an early ectopic pregnancy, which can be life-threatening.

Our guide to bleeding in early pregnancy explains what different kinds of bleeding can mean.

Telling people, and your job

Many couples wait until after the first scan or the end of the first trimester to tell family and work, but there's no rule. Our guide on when to announce your pregnancy covers the 12-week question and when to tell your employer under Singapore's rules. For leave, our maternity leave calculator works out your dates.

Frequently asked questions

Can a positive pregnancy test be wrong?

Rarely. KKH says test kits are more than 99% accurate. A false positive can happen with a very early loss called a biochemical pregnancy, when the hormone rises briefly and then falls, followed by bleeding.

When should I see a doctor after a positive pregnancy test?

HealthHub suggests seeing a doctor to confirm the pregnancy at about six weeks. Go sooner if you have a long-term condition or take regular medicine, and straight away for heavy bleeding or severe pain.

Should I go to a polyclinic or a private gynae?

Either works. A polyclinic or CHAS GP referral gets you subsidised care at a public hospital, which costs less. A private gynae lets you choose your doctor and delivery hospital.

When will I have my first scan?

From week 6 to week 12, HealthHub says. It confirms the pregnancy is in the womb, shows the heartbeat and dates the pregnancy.

What should I stop doing when I find out I'm pregnant?

Alcohol, plus smoking and vaping. Keep caffeine under 200mg a day and avoid raw or undercooked food. Keep taking prescribed medicine until you've spoken to your doctor.

Is spotting normal after a positive pregnancy test?

Light spotting can be, but get it checked. KKH's Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit sees women under 16 weeks with light bleeding, and its Urgent O&G Centre is open 24 hours for heavier bleeding or pain.