After having unprotected sexual intercourse, i.e. intercourse between a man and a woman where no condom was used or where the condom broke, you might become pregnant. If you suspect you might be pregnant, you need to do a pregnancy test.
You can buy a pregnancy test from a pharmacy or a supermarket. You do not need a doctor’s prescription to buy it and you can easily do the test at home. You should use a morning sample of urine for the test, following the instructions. Pregnancy tests detect pregnancy as early as a couple of days after the absence of expected menstruation, or two weeks after the intercourse that may have led to pregnancy.
The following symptoms may occur during pregnancy:
- your menstruation stops;
- tiredness, sleepiness;
- aching in the lower abdomen;
- more frequent urination;
- tenderness in breasts and/or increase in size;
- nausea and vomiting;
- weight gain.
NB! These symptoms do not always accompany pregnancy.
If the pregnancy test is negative but you still have doubts, do another test in two weeks. If the second pregnancy test is also negative, but you still do not get your period, then see a doctor.
If your pregnancy test is positive and you plan to have the baby, book an appointment with a midwife, youth counsellor or gynaecologist. If your pregnancy test is positive and you have abdominal pain, queasiness or bleeding, you should see a gynaecologist at your earliest convenience. It could be an ectopic pregnancy.
If the pregnancy test is positive and you decide to terminate the pregnancy, you need to make an appointment to see a gynaecologist, either at a women’s clinic or a youth counselling centre and let them know when you make the appointment that you are planning to terminate your pregnancy – this will help you get an appointment sooner. To prevent pregnancy, you can always choose the contraception that suits you best.
The article is based on the Estonian Sexual Health Association www.seksuaaltervis.ee website.
The Estonian Sexual Health Association is an advocacy organisation for sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Published in the youth information portal Teeviit in 2022.
