If you’re currently asking yourself, “Am I pregnant,” it’s probably either the most exciting – or the most terrifying – moment of your life. Either way, it’s important to find out the answer quickly so you can make informed choices moving forward.
Step 1: Check the Calendar
If you haven’t already, use a calendar to backtrack your menstrual cycle, and then ask yourself a few questions:
How long has it been since my last period?
Have I been sexually active since then?
Have I missed a period?
If so, by how many days? (Keep in mind, even the most reliable menstrual cycle can sometimes be off by a couple days.)
If after answering the questions above, you think there’s still a chance you many be pregnant, proceed to the next step.
Step 2: Take a Home Pregnancy Test
A home pregnancy test reacts to the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone produced by pregnant women. If it detects, hCG, it indicates a positive result for pregnancy. For the most accurate results, the Mayo Clinic suggests waiting until seven days after your missed period before taking a home pregnancy test. Even then, the results aren’t absolute. So, positive or negative, it’s a good idea to proceed to the next step.
Note: Some women skip step 2 entirely, and go straight from step 1 to step 3.
Step 3: Get a Medical Pregnancy Test
At its base, a medical pregnancy test works much like a home pregnancy test, evaluating a urine sample for hCG. The difference is you’re now getting reliable results from a trained medical professional, instead of just some box you picked off the drugstore shelf. In Gainesville, Sira offers free private medical pregnancy tests for any woman, no insurance required. If that test result comes back positive, proceed to the next step.
Step 4: Have an Obstetrical Ultrasound
In an obstetrical ultrasound exam, a technician lightly passes an instrument called a transducer across the surface of your belly, providing a view inside your uterus. This allows the medical provider to see – and hear – if there is indeed a baby growing inside of you. This is the final, definitive step. You will now know for sure whether or not you’re pregnant, and whether the pregnancy is viable. Sira also offers free limited obstetrical ultrasounds to our clients.
Of course, finding out you’re pregnant is just the start. If your pregnancy was unplanned, you may have some tough decisions ahead. Talking with a counselor about your pregnancy options can be a huge help.
To find out for certain whether you’re pregnant, contact Sira in Gainesville today to schedule your free appointment.