The very thought of an unplanned pregnancy can be really scary. In fact, handling a pregnancy scare can be worse if you have had unprotected sex, skipped a number of contraceptive pills in the course of the month, or watched your partner’s condom break during sex.
At the end of this post, you’d have learned why you have a pregnancy scare, how to handle a pregnancy scare, and the early signs of pregnancy.
Let’s Get Started!
Table of contents
First, What’s A Pregnancy Scare?
A pregnancy scare is also known as pregnancy panic or pregnancy anxiety. It is defined as a sudden fear of getting pregnant. The major reason women get scared of being pregnant is that they are not ready to have a baby.
In most cases, a pregnancy scare can be terrifying, especially because you have to wait for days or weeks to find out the truth.
The days or weeks of waiting can be the worst ever.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone in this; we’re here for you. That’s why we’ve put up this article for you. the wait may be very demanding, however, with the info in this article, you’ll be fine.
Why You May Have A Pregnancy Scare
Of course, the first and most obvious cause of a pregnancy scare is having unprotected sex without using emergency contraceptives. In addition, most women have pregnancy scares after a missed or late period.
Furthermore, the scare may begin to feel pretty real when you begin to observe signs that seem a lot like the common signs of early pregnancy.
What To Do When You Have A Pregnancy Scare
If you think you may be pregnant, there are a couple of things you can do.
These are:
1. Stay calm:
Freaking out is not the best option for you at this point. It won’t make anything easier. At this stage, you’re just scared, and it has not been confirmed that you’re pregnant. Stay open-minded and calm in order to know the truth about what has happened.
2. Check your menstrual cycle
There’s a chance that you’re just having late periods or you’ve missed your count. Interestingly, many women have irregular menstrual cycles. Some can be as long as 35 days, while some are as short as 21 days. If you are unsure about the duration of your cycle, get a calendar and confirm the dates of your last 3 or 4 menstrual periods.
This helps you to know if your period is truly late or if you’re just worried over nothing.
3. Inform your partner
Without assisted reproduction, it takes at least two individuals to make a baby.
Talk to your partner about what you’re going through. Talk about your pregnancy scare and go through all the subsequent steps together.
4. Take an over-the-counter pregnancy test:
The best time to take an over-the-counter (OTC) pregnancy test is in the morning. This is because human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is more concentrated in the urine in the morning and the urine is more potent at this time.
This makes the test more sensitive in the morning. However, it is important to note that you should not rely on this test alone to confirm pregnancy. This is because there’s a slight possibility of getting a false positive result.
5. Schedule an appointment with a health care practitioner
Irrespective of what your OTC pregnancy test reveals, you need to visit a healthcare practitioner. They will confirm whether you’re pregnant with a blood test, ultrasound, or both.
If the result comes out to be positive, there are different options available to you, and they include:
i. You can put the baby up for adoption. This can be done through a private or public adoption agency. If you think you can’t take care of your baby, you may consider this option.
ii. You can keep the baby: Honestly, you’re not the first to have an unplanned pregnancy, and you won’t be the last. Don’t flog yourself too much over it. Also, the fact that you didn’t plan for this pregnancy does not mean you won’t be a great parent.
You can and you will if you commit yourself to doing so.
If the result comes out to be negative, there are things you can also do to prevent future occurrences. They are:
i. Review your contraceptive options: if you think your current birth control methods are not working for you, you can change them.
Why not identify and use another birth control that works best for you?
Speak with your healthcare provider to know the other options available to you and convenient for you. In addition to this, your doctor will also help you find out why your period is late.
Preventing Future Pregnancy Scares
The best and most effective way of preventing future pregnancy scares is abstinence.
Abstinence is the only contraceptive option that has proven to be 100% effective. If you’re not ready for a baby, stay away from sex.
However, if abstinence is difficult or impossible, the following tips would be very helpful:
A. Use a condom every time: condoms help to reduce the risk of pregnancy. They also provide protection against some forms of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
B. Use the proper condom size: “inside condoms’, inserted into the vagina (for ladies) are one size fits all. You don’t have to be certain whether it’s your size. For males, there are different sizes of condoms. Using a too-big or too-small condom may cause it to slip off or break during sex.
This increases your risk of pregnancy and/or contracting an STI.
C. Wear it correctly: in terms of effectiveness, not knowing how to wear your condom properly is pretty close to not wearing it at all. Inside condoms are inserted in a similar way to tampons or menstrual cups. Outside condoms are worn like gloves. Don’t wear a condom if it is worn, damaged, or past its expiration date.
D. Other contraceptives: condoms are not the only contraceptive option available. You can try some other short-term methods, including:
- Oral pills
- Cervical caps
- Diaphragm
- Topical patches
- Vaginal rings
- Injection
E. Long-term contraceptive options: If you don’t want a child for three years or more, you can consider an implant or an IUD.
F. Permanent contraceptives: These options are available if you don’t want to have a child again in life. Be sure about this option before opting for it. Your healthcare provider will also guide you through this decision-making process.
In addition, you can prevent another pregnancy scare by carefully studying and following the details explained in Step 5 of what to do during a pregnancy scare above.
Conclusion
Finally, every pregnancy scare can be really scary.
Thankfully, you don’t have to go through it alone. Speak with a family member, a trusted friend, or a counselor to help you through the process. Remember the steps to follow as outlined in this article and do not forget that we’re always here to help you.
