I think I may be pregnant and need advice

Do you want to continue with the pregnancy?

We suggest you use our pregnancy risk assessment tool to help decide whether there is an ongoing risk of pregnancy and whether you need emergency contraception. You may also wish to consider whether you are at risk of STIs using our STI risk assessment tool.

If you are concerned that you are pregnant you should perform a pregnancy test at least 3 weeks after your most recent episode of unprotected sex. We suggest you use our pregnancy risk assessment tool to help decide whether there is a risk of pregnancy and whether you need emergency contraception. You may also wish to consider whether you need on-going contraception.

If the test suggests that you are pregnant and you decide to continue the pregnancy you will need to talk to your GP and start your pregnancy care as soon as possible. Please see NHS choices for information about pregnancy or antenatal care.

If the test suggests that you are pregnant and you decide not to continue the pregnancy you can talk to someone at the pregnancy advisory service about having an abortion. Abortion is safer and easier the earlier it is carried out in pregnancy. Most abortions in England and Wales are done in the first 13 weeks (three months). Please see NHS choices for information about abortion or our pages about Unity abortion service.

If the test suggests that you are pregnant and you’re not sure whether you want to continue the pregnancy it might help to talk to one of us at the pregnancy advisory service or to your GP, about your options. Please see our section on pregnant and not sure what to do for further information.

Pregnancy risk assessment

Have you had sex in the last 3 weeks

This suggests that you do not need emergency contraception but you may need ongoing contraception.
Additionally, if you have had sex more than 3 weeks ago without a condom or the condom failed, AND you are not using a regular method of contraception you should consider doing a pregnancy test.

Did you use a condom?

You may benefit from having a test for STIs and HIV - please see STI risk assessment and HIV risk assessment sections.

Did the condom split or come off?

This suggests that you do not need emergency contraception but you may need ongoing contraception.

Are you currently using contraception?

Have you been taking your pills correctly?

This suggests that you do not need emergency contraception but you may need ongoing contraception.

Are you concerned that your long-acting method may not be working properly or has run out?

This suggests that you do not need emergency contraception but you may need ongoing contraception.

Have you had any unprotected sex in the last 5 days?

If you have had unprotected sex within the last 5 days you should think about whether you would like to have emergency contraception. If you have had unprotected sex within the last 3 days you should also consider whether you have been at risk of HIV - please see our HIV and PEPSE risk assessment tools.

If you have had unprotected sex more than 5 days ago it is now too late to take the tablet or pill form of emergency contraception (also known as the morning after pill). However you might still be able to have an emergency IUD fitted.

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