I think I might be pregnant

I think I might be pregnant

If you have had unprotected sex you need to take EHC as soon as possible. EHC can be used up to 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex and can prevent pregnancy but is more effective the sooner you take it. It is free to women under 25 from pharmacies displaying the EHC logo.

If it has been more than 3 days you can still get an IUD fitted up to 5 days after unprotected sex. You need to make an appointment at Brook or family planning as soon as possible.

If you think you might be pregnant it is important to get a pregnancy test as soon as possible. You can get a free pregnancy test and confidential advice at Family Planning clinics, Brook and some school drop-in clinics.

Find out more about EHC here.

Pregnancy Testing

If you think you might be pregnant but haven't had a pregnancy test you need to have one as soon as you can. Pregnancy tests can be carried out on a sample of urine from the first day of a missed period.

You can have a free pregnancy test done at a family planning clinic, at your doctors, or at a Brook clinic or drop-in service. You can take a friend along with you for support. You will need to take a sample of urine with you in a clean, plastic, soap free container. But don't worry if you can't bring a sample with you. You can give a sample of urine when you get there. You can also buy a pregnancy test kit to do yourself from your local pharmacist for about £10.

If you are not pregnant you need to think about what form of contraception you will use before you have sex again. It is really important to do this. You can go to your doctor, Brook clinic or family planning clinic for contraceptive services. You can get free condoms from YPF sites in Redbridge and Barking and Dagenham.

Options

If you are pregnant you have three options:

  • You can carry on with the pregnancy and keep the baby.
  • You can carry on with the pregnancy and have the baby adopted.
  • You can have an abortion (also known as Termination of pregnancy)

Finding out you are pregnant can be a big shock and you may be feeling confused or scared about what to do next. If you don't feel like you can talk to your parents or carer it can help to talk through your feelings and options with an adult that you trust, like a teacher, connexions PA or youth worker.

You can get confidential, non-judgemental advice form Brook and Family planning clinics.