You’ve been using birth control regularly, but your body is indicating that you might be pregnant. What steps should you take?
1. Take A Pregnancy Test.
If you think your birth control has failed, you must have noticed some signs indicating that you might be pregnant. Perhaps you feel nauseous, or your breasts are tender.
The sign that usually causes women to take action is when their monthly period does not come. One week after missing a period is the ideal time to take a pregnancy test.
Once the embryo is implanted in the wall of the uterus, a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) begins production. A pregnancy test will detect the presence of hCG, and some tests are more sensitive than others.
Pregnancy tests can be purchased in most grocery and drug stores at various prices. However, medical-grade pregnancy testing at InnerVisions Healthcare is provided at no cost and is 99% accurate.
2. Confirm Your Pregnancy with an Ultrasound.
Once you have received a positive test result, an ultrasound is your next step. A limited obstetric ultrasound can show you how far along you are (gestational age) and if the pregnancy is progressing and growing within the uterus.
Are you considering abortion? An ultrasound can reveal your options, as medical abortion is only FDA-approved through the first ten weeks of pregnancy.
3. Get Tested for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
STIs can be dangerous in general and for women in pregnancy.
If you are pregnant, no matter what choice you are leaning toward, it is important to be tested for STIs. If you are planning to parent or adopt, some infections can be passed along to the child.
As for abortion, there are STIs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, that can spread into the uterus during an abortion. This brings an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, an infection that can lead to permanent damage to your reproductive organs.
Innervisions HealthCare can be an excellent first step for you if you suspect your birth control has failed. Our experienced medical team can provide you with pregnancy testing and an ultrasound (if no medical contraindications) at no cost.
In addition, Innervisions HealthCare offers women and men testing and treatment for many different STIs, including chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment.