Do you have a sneaking suspicion that you may be experiencing an unexpected pregnancy? Perhaps your period didn’t arrive on time, or you’ve noticed some unusual changes in your body recently. It’s natural to feel anxious and confused when facing circumstances like these. Maybe you’re worried that looking for answers would trigger more stress. However, having an accurate understanding of what’s going on with your body is always the best thing for your health and safety, both now and in the future. Our caring, non-judgmental team at Avenue Women’s Center is here to help you find clarity and know how to move forward.
If you think you may be pregnant, and you’re asking yourself what comes next, you’re already on track to discovering the answer and figuring out your next steps. Avenue provides free first-step pregnancy services at six locations in Chicagoland, equipping women to access the services they need to move forward with a well-informed point of view. We’re here for you too, regardless of the circumstances you’re facing or which pregnancy decision you’re leaning toward.
Learn more about Avenue Women’s Center! We’ve been serving women in our community and beyond for over forty years!
Common Pregnancy Symptoms
One of the clearest signs of pregnancy is a missed period, but there may be other symptoms too. Cleveland Clinic notes a few common ones:
Needing to urinate more often.
The body produces more blood during pregnancy, and needing to pee more is a result of this. Some women may notice a need to pee more frequently even before having a missed period.
Tiredness and fatigue.
A woman’s body produces more of the hormone progesterone during pregnancy, which causes some women to feel very tired. Fatigue may decrease and increase throughout pregnancy.
Morning sickness (which can happen any time of the day or night).
Every woman’s experience with nausea during pregnancy is different, and may or may not involve vomiting. If you think you may be dehydrated as a result of vomiting, it’s important to speak with a doctor, as this may indicate a medical concern.
Breasts becoming tender and swollen.
This may be one of the ways your body responds to hormonal changes. The area around your nipples (called areolas) may also become bigger and darker.
As Cleveland Clinic points out, pregnancy symptoms look different for every individual and can vary significantly. Some of these symptoms may be caused by a condition other than pregnancy, including a missed period. That’s why it’s so important to take these next steps we’re about to explore!
Get the Information You Need to Know Where You Stand
Take a pregnancy test.
If you think you might be pregnant, you may or may not have already taken a pregnancy test. You can purchase a urine-based pregnancy test and take it at home or have a blood-based pregnancy test completed at a doctor’s office. Avenue Women’s Center offers free, highly accurate lab-quality pregnancy tests at our six locations in Chicagoland, Illinois. Taking a pregnancy test is critical to understanding whether or not you’re pregnant.
Get an ultrasound.
If you’ve received a positive pregnancy result, seriously consider getting an ultrasound scan (regardless of which pregnancy option(s) you’re leaning toward). An ultrasound can provide key pieces of information that are helpful to know before a decision is made, like how far along the pregnancy has developed (which could clarify your options), if miscarriage is likely, and where the pregnancy is located (an ectopic pregnancy, located outside the uterus, poses a serious safety risk to the woman). Avenue provides limited medical ultrasounds at no cost!
Learn about your options.
Your options include abortion, adoption, and parenting. It may be helpful to explore each of these avenues (risks, benefits, processes, etc.) before putting your pregnancy plan into action. There’s no harm in being well-informed and considering your options carefully. The information you discover might have a significant impact on your decision-making process and lead you to a choice you feel better about in the long run. Avenue Women’s Center provides consultations to help you understand your options. The information we provide is factual and easy to understand.
Gather your resources.
Accessing resources during pregnancy can influence a woman’s pregnancy decision in positive ways because resources are empowering. Resources may include housing support, financial assistance, medical aid, material goods, and other sources of practical care. Our knowledgeable pregnancy consultants at Avenue are dedicated to helping women and families connect with the valuable resources they need to thrive.
Get Support!
Last, but not least, ensure you’re actively receiving the support you need to move forward with clarity and confidence. A healthy support base can empower you to navigate the road ahead with confidence! Our team at Avenue would love to be a part of your support system!
No woman should have to face an unexpected pregnancy, or possible unexpected pregnancy, on her own. The information and support you need to lean into your own best outcome are out there! Our expert staff at Avenue would love to help you find answers and navigate this challenging road by your side.
Call, text, chat, or email to schedule an appointment today!
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Reference:
Cleveland Clinic. (2022, July). Am I Pregnant? Retrieved from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9709-pregnancy-am-i-pregnant
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.