Think you might be pregnant?
Emergency contraception
If the condom split, you forgot to take your pill, or you've had unprotected sex, in the last five days you've still got time to use emergency contraception. Go and see your doctor or sexual health clinic straight away, you can either take the emergency contraceptive pill (up to 72 hours/3 days later) or have an IUD coil fitted (up to 120 hours/5 days later). The sooner you use emergency contraception the more likely it is to work.
Taking a test
If it's too late for emergency contraception don't panic there's still plenty of options open to you, the first step is to take a pregnancy test. The earliest you can take a pregnancy test is the first day of a missed period, or if your periods aren't regular wait 21 days from the last time you had unprotected sex. If you take a test earlier than this it might not work properly and give a negative result when really you are pregnant (a false negative). Try not to put off taking a pregnancy test any longer than this, it's best to find out as soon as possible so you can keep all your options open.
Where can you get a test from?
Connexions centres, doctors and sexual health clinics all offer free pregnancy testing and they can also give you help and advice about what to do next. They won't tell anyone else including your parents even if you are under 16. You can buy a pregnancy test you take at home from a pharmacy or supermarket. If you decide to do a test at home it's worth thinking about who you could talk to once you've got the results. Whether it comes as a relief, a shock or let-down it's good to have someone to talk to about how you're feeling.
Results
Negative? If you didn't want to be pregnant, this is probably a big relief. It's also a good time to think about your contraception in the future so you don't have to go through the same stress again. Check out our sexual health page for advice on contraception.
Positive? If you haven't planned to become pregnant this can be a very scary time. It's common to feel shocked, confused, embarrassed, upset or lonely, but try not to let this stop you from getting help and advice as soon as possible.
Getting help
It's important to talk to someone as soon as possible so you can keep all your options open. Go to a sexual health clinic or your doctor. They will be able to talk you about your options and help you come to a decision that's right for you. Everything you say will be kept confidential even if you're under 16, and while they can help you think about what to do the final decision is always down to you.
You might also want to talk to a few other trusted people. Your Connexions personal adviser will listen to you and can help you get in touch with people who can support you, they will also keep everything you say confidential. You could also talk to your boyfriend, parents or carers, older brother or sister depending on how comfortable you feel speaking to them.
Whoever you talk to it's important to make sure any organisations you get help from are impartial. Some anti-abortion charities or organisations will not provide you with good advice about all of your options including deciding to have an abortion.
Your choices
Dealing with an unplanned pregnancy can be a very difficult and confusing time, so make sure you get lots of help and support to make a decision. You will have to decide whether you want to have an abortion, have the baby adopted or keep the baby.
Abortion
If you're thinking about having an abortion (ending the pregnancy) you should go to your doctor or sexual health clinic as soon as possible. Abortions are easier and safer if carried out early on in the pregnancy. In this country it's legal to have an abortion up to the 24th week of the pregnancy. Their are two types of abortion having an operation or a taking a pill. Having an abortion is a very safe procedure particularly if it is carried out in the first 12 weeks of the pregnancy and is very unlikely to lead to complications like infertility. You can find out the facts about abortion and how it might affect you on TheSite.org.
Listen to info and advice about the abortion procedure and recovering after an abortion
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The abortion procedure (part 1) TheSite.org tells you about the options that are available and what's involved if you decide to have an abortion. |
| Recovering after an abortion (part 2) TheSite.org looks at what you should expect if you decide to have an abortion, and how it might affect you emotionally and physically afterwards. |
Keeping the baby
Caring for a child is a big responsibility emotionally and financially, it could also leave you pretty exhausted most of the time! However old you are bringing up a child can be very demanding but it can be even tougher for teenage mums for a variety of reasons. Bringing up a child can also be one of the most rewarding times of your life and you have the same right to support and respect as any other mother. If you're thinking of having the baby get in touch with one of our PIPS (Parenting Information & Pregnancy Support) advisers who can help you prepare for being a mum. Also make sure you check out our Help and support for young parents, Antenatal care, and Being a parent pages for lots more info and advice.
Adoption
If you think you might want to put your baby up for adoption speak to your doctor who can put you in touch with your local Social care department. Giving your baby up for adoption isn't easy and you'll be given counselling to help you think about whether it's the right decision for you and what will happen in the future.
Breaking the News
It can be hard enough to come to terms with being pregnant yourself – but how do you break the news to your family?
You might be very worried about telling your parents but it's worth remembering that while they might be angry or shocked at first most parents will want to support their children at difficult times like this. You might want to to speak to your PIPS (Parenting Information & Pregnancy Support) adviser to help you think about how you might tell them and what you want to say.
