There is only one way to know for definite if you are pregnant and that is by doing a pregnancy test. Do-it-yourself pregnancy tests will give you an answer in minutes.
There may be several reasons why you think you are pregnant, particularly if you have had unprotected sex. Other physical signs are nausea, feeling faint or dizzy, tingling breasts and a metallic taste in the mouth. You might also have a feeling that your period is about to start, even if it’s not due. Not everyone will have these symptoms while some women might have the symptoms even if they have been using contraceptives during sex.
The only sure way to know if you are pregnant is to take the test, which will you’re your urine for any signs of the pregnancy hormone, chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), in your system. Take the test on or after the day your period is due or at least 21 days after you last had unprotected sex.
While most contraception is at least 95% effective, you can still get pregnant even if you are taking precautions. Hormone-based contraception, such as the combined pill, implants, injections and the progestogen-only pill, will not change or affect the result of a pregnancy test – the test will still confirm if you’re pregnant or not.
The pregnancy test uses your urine to detect the presence of HCG in your body. When you have conceived, the levels of HCG rise rapidly in the body. The tests usually involve a long stick on to which you pee, then wait for a few minutes until the result is revealed by a positive or negative sign.
You might get a negative result from your test but still believe that you’re pregnant. The original test might have been done too early so do another test three days later, which might give a different result. If your period still doesn’t start after a second negative result, make an appointment to see your doctor.
Once you’ve got a positive result, you need to consult your doctor right away, whether you intend to continue with the pregnancy or not. Your antenatal care will start immediately and if you want to discuss the possibility of an abortion, you need to get as much information as possible to make an informed decision quickly.
Pregnancy tests can be purchased from pharmacies or you can get free confidential tests at GP surgeries, community contraceptive clinics or sexual health clinics.