Am I pregnant?
Anytime you have sex, there is always a chance for pregnancy. At different times of the month, the chance can increase or decrease, but because sperm can live in a woman's body for a couple of days, it's impossible to know what your chances are at any given time.
Many women assume that if they use contraception, they cannot become pregnant. Contraception, however, is not 100 per cent effective and the chance for pregnancy is never eliminated if you've had sex.
One of the most common signs of pregnancy is a missed period. Pregnancy is not the only reason a woman might miss her period, but if she has had sex, the possibility of pregnancy should not be ruled out.
Possible Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of pregnancy vary from woman to woman and even from pregnancy to pregnancy. Some women have no noticeable signs at all. The timing of the onset of signs and symptoms also varies. Early indications may include but are not limited to:
- Missed period
- Tender and swollen breasts
- Nausea, with or without vomiting
- Increased urination
- Fatigue (tiredness)
Other symptoms may include, but are not limited to:
- Light spotting
- Cramping
- Moodiness
- Bloating
- Constipation
I think I'm pregnant. What should I do and what decisions do I need to make?
If you think you might be pregnant, the best thing to do to confirm or deny your suspicions is to have a pregnancy test. You don't have to come up with the money or take this test on your own. Many of our pregnancy help centres provide free pregnancy test kits and confidential in-person appointments. If you can't find a centre near you, we're still here to support you online or over the phone and answer any of your questions and concerns whilst you take an at-home pregnancy test.
Even though a pregnancy test is a good indication of pregnancy. Only a medical professional can diagnose a pregnancy. If you have had a positive pregnancy test, you will need to schedule an appointment with your GP to confirm your pregnancy.
If you are pregnant
We understand an unexpected pregnancy can feel overwhelming.
There are many different feelings and thoughts which may arise when you find out you are pregnant. These can include:
- Shock and disbelief
- Feeling too young or old to be a parent
- Scared to tell your boyfriend/partner and your parents that you are pregnant
- Not having a job or enough money to support yourself and a child
- Being single and feeling unsupported
- Worried about what your friends/peers may say
- Feeling pressure from your partner, a friend or a family member to make a particular decision
- Feeling concerned that you won't be able to continue your employment or study
If you can identify with any of these points, it's important to remember you are not alone in your thoughts or feelings - we're here for you with compassionate support and accurate information on all three of your options: abortion, adoption, and parenting. You don’t have to face this alone.
If you would like additional support you can
look to see if there is a pregnancy help centre near you where you can make an individual appointment and speak to someone in person.
You can call the Helpline 1300 139 313 (8am-10pm AEST) to speak with someone.
What are my options?
You have 3 options regarding the outcome of your pregnancy:
- continue with your pregnancy and parent your child
- continue with your pregnancy and place your child for adoption
- end your pregnancy through termination.
Each of these options has its challenges and short and long-term difficulties. It is important to get all the information you need to make an informed and confident decision that's 100% right for you. Knowing how and where to access support will also help you with making and dealing with your decision.
1. Continue your pregnancy and parent the child.
Choosing to be a parent is a big decision and people often don’t feel fully prepared for it, even when the pregnancy was planned.
There are many ways in which you can be assisted with parenting your child, whether alone or with a partner. Identifying what your needs may be, practically and emotionally, is the first step in determining how they might be met.
It is important to understand the financial assistance for which you may be eligible as well as other supportive services particular to your community that may be available. These could include antenatal classes, new mums’ support groups, and pregnancy support services. The 24/7 pregnancy helpline or pregnancy centre closest to you will be able to put you in touch with your local community support.
2. Continue your pregnancy and place the child for adoption
There are hundreds of people waiting to adopt children in Australia but very few children are placed for adoption. In 2004-2005, 585 babies were adopted by families in Australia. 434 of these adoptions were of children from overseas, 86 by ‘known’ people – ie within families - and only 65 were babies relinquished for adoption outside their own family.
Adoption is quite a different prospect from what it was years ago, with many people now choosing an open arrangement whereby they are able to keep in touch with adoptive parents, have access to information about their child and in some cases even see their child after adoption.
For adoption information in your state please view the adoption section.
3. End your pregnancy through termination
Abortion is a decision made by many women in Australia every year. Unfortunately, a growing number of these women now say that this decision was made ‘because they felt they had no other choice’. There are also large numbers of women who feel their decision was not a fully informed one and that they wish they had had more information about the pregnancy & parenting support available to them or how abortion would /could impact them emotionally.
It is important that you feel in control of such a major decision and do not allow anyone to push you into making a choice. Pregnancy help centres exist to provide a safe & impartial environment for you to make a pregnancy decision that is fully informed, evidence-based, consistent with your belief system, and free from external influence.
We also have a ‘Questions to Ask’ Fact Sheet on the website that gives you a list of important questions to ask an abortion provider before you consent to any procedure.
Related information
Note: The information provided in this service is intended to encourage, not replace, direct patient/health professional relationships
