How do I know if I am pregnant?

You’re expecting your period from one day to the next and nothing happens. Or it has been two months since the last time you had your period. You are worried.

Perhaps you missed two or more birth control pills in a row. Or perhaps, you had a delay before inserting your cervical ring or sticking your contraceptive patch on your body. Or the condom broke.

Or you had unprotected sex a week ago and it is too late to prevent pregnancy from occurring.

Then you may be pregnant.

But if you’ve had unprotected sex less than one week ago, then it is urgent you see your doctor or go to a clinic if you want to prevent a pregnancy.  They may be able to get emergency contraception. See the contraception section.

The first symptoms of pregnancy will appear weeks after you’ve had unprotected sex. First, you will have a missed period. Then, usually 8 weeks after you will experience symptoms such as: feeling more tired, nausea, urinating (peeing) more often or having sensitive breasts.

If you think you may be pregnant, you should go to your doctor, the school nurse or a clinic for a pregnancy test. You can also go to a women’s clinic or a public health clinic. Depending on your situation, the doctor or nurse will have you take either a urine or blood test. These tests are very precise and can detect a pregnancy usually a week after a missed period. The blood test can even detect a pregnancy earlier, sometimes 7 days after unprotected sex.

You can also do a pregnancy test by buying it from a pharmacy. However, if it is negative and you still feel you are pregnant, or if the test is positive, you should see a doctor or a nurse to repeat the pregnancy test to be sure of the results.

What are my options if I am pregnant?

This resource will be available soon.

Extra

If you want to learn more, you can go to these websites:

Childbirth

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Website developped and offered by the Canadian Association for Adolescent Health
Last modification: 2006-02-18