I knew I should have asked Greg to wear a condom. But I didn't. I knew I should have gone to the clinic for emergency contraception. But I didn't. Now my period is four days late. I know I should do a pregnancy test. But I don't want to. What if the results come back positive? What if I am pregnant? My mom will kill me. Greg will dump me. I just HAVE to get my period ...
What a scary moment — the one in which a woman realizes that she might be pregnant when she did not intend to be. For an instant it may be easy for her to believe that if she doesn't do anything about the situation, then maybe it will go away. However, she is either pregnant or not, and the only way to be sure is to have a pregnancy test.
How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?
Pregnancy tests work by testing for the hormone called human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). HCG is secreted by the pre-embryo after it implants in the lining of the uterus. HCG is only found in a woman's body if she is pregnant.
Pregnancy doesn't start the day that partners have intercourse — it can take up to six days after intercourse for the sperm and egg to join and form a fertilized egg. After fertilization, it can take six days for the fertilized egg to begin to implant itself in the lining of the uterus. Pregnancy begins when this happens. A pregnancy test can detect pregnancy after a missed period — some can even detect it a few days before a missed period.
Home Pregnancy Tests
Women who use home test kits should be sure to follow the manufacturer's directions very carefully, so they can be sure to get accurate results. After doing a home pregnancy test, a concerned woman's next step is to schedule (and take) a pregnancy test at a health center in her area to confirm herresults. For an appointment with the nearest Planned Parenthood health center, call 1-800-230-PLAN.
If a woman has her positive test results confirmed at the health center, she will have the chance to talk with a counselor who can give her information about all of her options — raising a child, placing a child for adoption, or abortion — and the services available in her area. This also offers the woman an opportunity to get supportive and professional counseling so that she can sort out the option that is best for her.
Next Steps
If a woman's pregnancy test results are negative, the next step for her is to schedule an appointment at the health center to discuss birth control options and sexually transmitted infection screening and testing. The scare of an unintended pregnancy and the relief of a negative test result may be motivation for her to protect herself in the future.
Remember — a woman who suspects she is pregnant should not put off getting a pregnancy test — the longer she waits, the harder it can be to deal with a positive result.
Sexuality and relationship info you can trust from Planned Parenthood® Federation of America
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