Perhaps you’ve been sexually active, using condoms most of the time, thinking you are “safe.” Now you had a positive pregnancy test and discover that you are pregnant despite your precautions. You may have any number of questions running through your mind. How did this happen? We thought we were being safe! What are my options now?
Avenue Women’s Center has been assisting women facing unexpected pregnancies in the Chicagoland area for almost 40 years. If you recently found out you are pregnant or are concerned you might be, even after using condoms most of the time, our services are a helpful next step. Confirm your pregnancy with a medical-grade pregnancy test, followed by an opportunity to receive information on all of your pregnancy options including abortion, adoption, and parenting. Contact us right away for an appointment at one of our six DuPage County locations- Darien, Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn / Lombard, Naperville, West Chicago, and Wood Dale, Illinois.
Any method of birth control, including condoms, is considered to be most effective when used consistently and exactly as recommended. However, no form of contraception is 100% effective. If you have chosen condoms as your birth control method, then you are likely aware of how it is designed to prevent pregnancy. A condom is a thin sheath that is worn over the penis and is designed to prevent semen and other bodily fluids coming into contact with the vagina or other body parts during sexual activity. Condoms are generally made of latex, but there are other varieties as well. According to WebMD, each year “2 out of every 100 women whose partners always use condoms correctly will get pregnant. That number rises to 18 out of every 100 women when their partners don’t use the condom correctly every time.” In other words, there is a 2% failure rate even if the condom is used exactly as recommended every single time sexual intercourse occurs, and that percentage increases each time a condom is used incorrectly.
So what happens if you discover you are pregnant even if you were using condoms most of the time? First of all, it’s important to take some time to consider your options and what to do next. Talk with your partner or a family member or trusted other. How are you feeling about a pregnancy at this time? How is your partner feeling? Consider your personal situation, goals and beliefs in considering your pregnancy options. The situation can feel overwhelming, especially when you thought you were preventing an unexpected pregnancy, but pausing to process through your pregnancy decision is an important next step.
Avenue Women’s Center is here to help. Our free pregnancy consultations take place in a caring, nonjudgmental environment with one of our expert client advocates. You will receive information on all of your pregnancy options, as well as have the opportunity to process through any questions or concerns you may have regarding your pregnancy decision. Call, chat, email or text for an appointment today! We look forward to hearing from you.
References:
- Web MD. (2017, August) The Hard Facts on Condoms. Retrieved from: https://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/birth-control-condoms#1
- Mayo Clinic (2017, March) Male Condoms. Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/condoms/about/pac-20385063
Reviewed by Patricia Kuenzi, APN-CNP, MSN, ANP, PNP.
The information provided here is general in nature. It is not a substitute for a consultation with a medical professional. Before any medical procedure, it is imperative that you discuss your personal medical history, risks, and concerns with your doctor. If you have questions during or after a procedure, your doctor should be immediately contacted. Avenue Women’s Center is not an emergency center. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as bleeding and/or pain, seek immediate medical attention. Contact your physician, go to an emergency room, or call 911.