CHAPTER 1-You Think You're Pregnant

DETERMINING THAT YOU ARE PREGNANT

Once you suspect that you are pregnant you must confirm this information. The first sign of a possible pregnancy for many women is a late period. Another sign of early pregnancy is nausea and vomiting. Some women may feel tenderness in their breasts. Although these early symptoms may indicate pregnancy, just because you may experience one, none, or all of these symptoms, it is still important to take a pregnancy test.

If you suspect that you may be pregnant, you can purchase a home pregnancy test from your local drug store. Home pregnancy tests range in price from $7-$18 dollars. Home pregnancy tests look for a hormone named hCG in your urine. The presence of hCG is a strong indication of pregnancy. This hormone is produced by the placenta when a woman is pregnant. HCG can be detected in blood and urine as early as six days after fertilization has taken place. If you are a minor, you don't need your parents permission to purchase a home pregnancy test. The test can be taken in the privacy of your home. Many women prefer to take a home pregnancy test to confirm their pregnancy before they actually go see a doctor.

Some test can be taken as early as a few days before your period is actually late. However, the tests are more accurate when you take them close to the actual date of your period or shortly after your period is late.

If you do not feel comfortable administering the test to yourself, because you feel you may do the test wrong or for other reasons, there are many facilities that offer pregnancy testing.

MAKING YOUR DECISION

Pregnancy lasts approximately 280 days. If you find out that you are pregnant 4 weeks after your last menstrual cycle, you are already considered to be 4 weeks pregnant. This is important information for several reasons. One, if you are planning on continuing your pregnancy, you will need to make arrangements to see a doctor for pre-natal care. If this pregnancy was unplanned you may not have the necessary insurance for prenatal care and you may need to make arrangements to obtain medical insurance.

If you are considering terminating your pregnancy you need to plan accordingly. First trimester abortions are most common and have the least complications. They are also far less expensive than second trimester abortions. Therefore, if you are planning to have an abortion, you will need to find out how far along you are in your pregnancy. After you determine how far along you are in your pregnancy, you will need to find an abortion provider in your area. Once you find an abortion provider you will need to find out how much the procedure will cost.

Think hard about your options. You may decide to seek counseling before you actually decide how you are going to proceed. You may wish to discuss this information with your husband or boyfriend. Take time to think about your unplanned pregnancy, but don't take too much time. Time is of the essence and the sooner you make your decision the sooner you can proceed with your course of action.

"Grady and I had a strictly sexual relationship. We were both juniors in college. I knew he had a girlfriend out there in the world somewhere, but when he and I were together, our time together was really special. I can admit it, I was in love and I didn't take my pills on schedule because I felt like if I got pregnant by Grady everything would be alright.

Well everything wasn't alright. It was winter time when I found out that I was pregnant. I told Grady and he snapped. He was angry, he said I was "trying to mess up the good thing that we had", and that it "probably wasn't his." He immediately cut off our relationship. He wouldn't take my calls and whenever I went to his dorm room his roommate said he wasn't there.

My due date was in August. Grady went home for summer break in May and I was hoping that over the summer he would have an opportunity to think about things and he would come around. When school started, Grady was no where to be found. Much to my surprise, he transferred to a school 1000 miles away. Who would transfer during their senior year? That is how bad he wanted to not be a part of me or my child's life.

I love my daughter. I finished college and started a teaching job the following year. Grady agreed to a paternity test after he was served him with child support papers and I now get child support. I love my daughter. He has never seen her, but he is the one missing out."