If
your period is late and you think you might be pregnant
take the following steps . . .
Do a pregnancy test
They are FREE at Brook Centres, some GP's,
many family planning clinics and at some GUM clinics....
the testing is confidential and only you and the nurse
will know what's going on.
Hate the idea of
talking to someone? For about £10 you can buy a home
pregnancy test - all you do is go to your local pharmacy
or supermarket where they sell a range of reliable
testing kits. Follow the instructions carefully though
if you want a reliable result.
The result will either be:
NEGATIVE - if you don’t want
to be pregnant you will breathe a sigh of relief and
use this false alarm to get your contraception sorted
out! See your GP, family planning clinic or use condoms.
POSITIVE - you now need
to decide what to do. Other people/doctors/counsellors
can help you make a decision by explaining your choices
but in the end you must decide what YOU want.
Your choices:
keep the baby
adoption
abortions
Who can you talk to?
If you are pregnant, and the pregnancy
is unplanned you may be feeling confused, shocked,
and scared but try not to let this stop you from seeking
help. It is important to face what is happening and
seek advice as soon as possible, so all options are
open to you and you can begin your maternity care.
It is also important
to make the right decision for you, and this might
not always be the decision your boyfriend or your
parents would make. Try and talk it over with someone
you trust.
Talking it over
You could talk it over with your boyfriend
or your mum or dad, but if you don’t feel you can
talk to them, you could also speak to: an older sister
or brother, your friends, a teacher, a doctor, a social
worker, a school counsellor, your GP, Brook Advisory
Counsellor, or Marie Stopes International (MSI) counsellor.
Or call one of the organisations listed in the help
& advice section.
Whoever you talk
to it's important to seek help from organisations
that are impartial. For example, anti-abortion organisations
will not provide unbiased or objective information.
How does pregnancy
happen?
Pregnancy (conception) occurs when a sperm fertilises
an egg by joining with it during sex. This can happen
when two people have sex and do not use contraception.
A
fertilised egg will then move down into a girl's uterus
and implant itself into the womb (uterus) lining where
it will begin to grow.
Are you old
enough to do it?
If you're old enough to do 'it' you're old enough
to be responsible for what can happen.
Whether you're
male or female, with the decision to have sex, comes
the responsibility of being sensible and protecting
yourself from an unplanned pregnancy.
This basically
means understanding how pregnancy happens and how
you can stop it.
If you’ve got
an appointment to have a pregnancy test at a clinic
- don’t forget...
The date of the first day of your last period.
Some of your first
wee that morning - in a clean jar with a tight fitting
lid.
Most clinics offer
a pregnancy testing service for free - but check before
you go.
If you're doing
the test yourself remember to follow the instructions
carefully - if you don't it could effect the results!
