By Kathy and Catherine
1. If you think you got pregnant within the last three days (72 hours), and you do NOT want to be pregnant, you can consider emergency contraception.
If you had unprotected sex or the condom break within the last three days (72 hours, specifically) and you do NOT want to be pregnant, you might want to consider emergency contraception pills. This kind of emergency contraception involves taking two increased doses of certain birth control pills, which can prevent the fertilized egg from implanting in the lining of the uterus.
Emergency contraception must be used within 72 hours of the unprotected sex. If you’re interested, call 1-800-230-PLAN immediately to find the Planned Parenthood closest to you. If there isn’t one, call 1-888-NOT-2-LATE for other sources of emergency contraception in your area.
Remember, emergency contraception is not a substitute for using regular birth control. It provides no protection from STIs (including AIDS) and may not work if it has been more than 72 hours since the intercourse occurred. For more information about emergency contraception, check out Accidents Happen: When They Do, Use Emergency Contraception.
2. If it has been more than three days since you think you got pregnant, and maybe you’ve even missed a period, call a health center for a confidential pregnancy test.
Don’t put it off getting the test — the longer you wait, the harder it can be to deal with a positive result.
The surest way to find out if you’re pregnant is to take a pregnancy test at a health clinic. Call 1-800-230-PLAN to schedule a confidential pregnancy test at a Planned Parenthood health center in your area.
Some women prefer to use home pregnancy tests before going to a clinic. They’re simple to use and can be accurate, but you must follow the instructions on the package exactly. They can also be expensive, and many clinics offer pregnancy testing for less money than a home test.
More importantly, at a clinic you’ll know that the test will be performed correctly, and you’ll have access to a counselor who will explain the results and provide you with information about your options. It’s particularly important to go to a medical clinic if you’re having pain in your abdomen or your stomach, or unusual vaginal bleeding.
3. Find someone you trust to help you through this difficult time.
It’s important to have someone you trust to talk to. It helps to think things through with another person who has your best interest at heart, so that you can make decisions that are right for you.
It can be your parent, partner, a friend, relative, a friend’s parent, a teacher, religious advisor, or school counselor. If you can’t think of anyone in your life who can help you, talk to a counselor at Planned Parenthood or the clinic where you get your pregnancy test. Whether or not you are pregnant, you will probably feel better and make better decisions if you have someone to lean on.
4. The test was positive! What do I do?
If a home test comes out positive, go to a health care center to have the results confirmed and to get more information about your options and the resources available in your area. (For more information, go to I’m Pregnant, Now What?)
Remember, you have three choices: Parenting, Adoption, or Abortion. Counselors at Planned Parenthood are available to help you make the decisions that are right for you.
5. The test was negative! What do I do?
Schedule an appointment at a clinic to talk about birth control options.
If you’ve been having unprotected sex, visit a clinic to get tested for STIs and talk about prevention.
Think about the situation in which you had unprotected sex. What could you do differently the next time to plan for safer sex and avoid the stress of a pregnancy scare? There’s a lot you can do to take care of yourself.
If you need more help, information, or want someone to assist you in working through a decision, click MORE HELP.