How can I be sure I'm pregnant?  A urine pregnancy test performed by medical professionals is the surest way to find out, although you can get home pregnancy tests at most supermarkets and drugstores. They are simple to use if you very carefully read and follow the instructions in the package. Many women choose to have the results (either positive or negative) of a home pregnancy test confirmed at Planned Parenthood. No appointment is needed to have a pregnancy test at PPC.

If your test is "positive," it means that you are pregnant. A negative test result can mean that you are not pregnant, although a very early pregnancy may not be picked up by a urine test. The pregnancy tests done at PPC are usually accurate at confirming a pregnancy from 10 days to 2 weeks after conception.

If you are pregnant and not sure when you became pregnant, we may recommend that you have a pelvic exam. A clinician will feel the size of your uterus to estimate how long you have been pregnant. Another way to determine the length of time you have been pregnant is by having a vaginal probe ultrasound.

If you are not pregnant and need birth control, PPC counselors will talk with you about contraceptive options. There are many highly effective methods of birth control to choose from. We can help you find one that will work well for you. You may not even need to have an examination to get birth control from PPC!

If you are pregnant and are going to maintain the pregnancy, PPC will give you a referral. This is a piece of paper that says you have had a positive pregnancy test at our health center. It may also list your last menstrual period (LMP)and your estimated date of delivery (EDC), as well as any other services we have done for you, like an exam or an ultrasound. We are very familiar with the doctors and prenatal clinics in the local area, and we can give you a list of places for you to seek prenatal care. You should have your first prenatal exam early in your pregnancy to make sure that you are healthy and the pregnancy is normal. You may not need to worry about paying for prenatal care.

Connecticut has a statewide program called "Healthy Start". Healthy Start provides qualifying women with state medical insurance for the length of the pregnancy. This will pay for all pregnancy-related services, like your exams, laboratory tests, and delivery. You may also qualify for programs like WIC (Women, Infants and Children) which will help provide you with nutritious food while you are pregnant. The Healthy Start counselor will give you information about these other programs.

If you are pregnant and aren’t sure what to do, the trained counselors at PPC can help you think about your options. They will not make a decision for you. Most women want to become mothers when they are ready. Adult and teenage women often face difficult decisions when pregnancy is unplanned.

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