PREGNANCY TESTING

If you think you are pregnant, it’s important to find out for certain as soon as possible. You can do this by taking a pregnancy test.

You can get pregnant from having unprotected vaginal sex. This includes if you have sex without using contraception, or if your method of contraception fails (such as a condom splitting or missing taking a pill).

HOW PREGNANCY TESTING WORKS

Some people can tell that they’re pregnant because they feel different. For example, they might feel sick, experience mood swings, have tender breasts, or miss a period. But not everyone experiences symptoms of pregnancy.

The only way to know if you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test.

Pregnancy tests usually involve peeing on a small plastic stick, or into a clean cup and dipping in a test stick. The result will usually appear within a few minutes. Always read the instructions first.

THE TEST:

• Pregnancy tests detect the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin) which starts to be produced around six days after fertilisation.
• You can do pregnancy tests from the first day of a missed period, or three weeks after unprotected sex.
• You can do a pregnancy test using urine collected at any time of the day.

THE RESULTS:

• A positive test result is almost certainly correct.
• A negative result is less reliable and you may want to try again in a week’s time, or see your GP if you think there is a chance that you are pregnant.

WHERE TO GO

There are lots of places where you can get a pregnancy test for free and receive support. You could visit Brook Southend, your GP or a family planning clinic.

This might also be a good time to talk to someone about contraception options, if you weren't trying to get pregnant. Find out more about contraception options.

Regardless of your age, health professionals wont share any information about your visit with anyone. If you are under 16 and you have a positive test result they will encourage you to talk to your parents, but they won’t force you to.

You can buy pregnancy tests from a chemist or supermarket, for £3-10. If you are doing the test yourself make sure you follow the instructions carefully.

Empty Multi Lateral Flow Rapid Test Kit

WHAT TO DO NEXT

If you find out you're pregnant, you may feel happy and excited, or shocked, worried and upset.

Talk to your GP, midwife or talk to a health professional if you feel anxious. They can help you to understand what is happening to your body, or can give you advice if you don't want to continue with your pregnancy.

If you are pleased to be pregnant then you can start receiving antenatal support from your local midwifery service. Your midwife will help to ensure that you and your baby stay healthy during pregnancy, and can answer any questions you have.

If you are not pleased to be pregnant then finding out early gives you more time to consider your choices.

IF YOU ARE PREGNANT YOU HAVE OPTIONS. YOU CAN:

• Continue with the pregnancy.
• Continue with the pregnancy, and arrange for the baby to be adopted.
• Have an abortion to medically terminate your pregnancy. Find out more about abortion.

TALKING TO YOUR PARTNER

If you are in a relationship your partner could feel happy, have mixed feelings or be unhappy about the pregnancy, and may find it hard to talk about it. Talking about worries or concerns can be helpful. Talking to family or close friends or a health professional about the pregnancy may also be helpful, although the final decision is always your own.

If you find out you are pregnant, you may want to tell your family and friends immediately, or wait a while until you have sorted out how you feel. Many people wait until they have had their first ultrasound scan, when they're around 12 weeks pregnant, before they tell others.

If you experience nausea or ‘morning sickness’ in the first 12 weeks, you may choose to tell a close family member or friend to help you through the days when you feel very sick.

MORE SUPPORT

• Brook Southend offers free pro-choice counselling, meaning no one will push you either to have an abortion, or continue with the pregnancy. They will listen to you and help you come to a decision, but the decision will be yours. Contact Brook Southend for support and advice.
• Education For Choice (EFC) is a Brook project, supporting young people’s right to informed choice on abortion.
• Marie Stopes also offers pro-choice counselling. Visit the Marie Stopes website, call them on 0345 300 8090 or email them at services@mariestopes.org.uk.
• BPAS (British Pregnancy Advisory Service) offers affordable private abortion, contraception and reproductive health services across the UK. Visit the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) website, or call them on 03457 30 40 30 from the UK or on +44 1789 508 211 from elsewhere.
• The Abortion Support Network provides assistance to women in Ireland and Northern Ireland wanting to access abortion services in England.
• Family Lives has a free helpline, open 24 hours a day on 0808 800 2222 It also provides support through online chat, email and discussion forums.
• Gingerbread has information on benefits, money, housing and childcare to single parents or young people who are pregnant and living with a parent.
• The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) has information about pregnancy, birth and early parenthood.