Often, we try our best to be proactive and to prevent unexpected situations that could be difficult from happening. While our best efforts sometimes work well, sometimes they also fail. Perhaps in an attempt to plan when you’d like to be pregnant (if ever), you’ve decided to use an IUD as your method of birth control. However, even if you already have an appointment scheduled, maybe you’re second-guessing whether you can get an IUD because you just had unprotected sex.
Uncertainty over whether you can get an IUD or not can be confusing, especially if you were ready to get one! You may be wondering now if there’s a chance you could be pregnant, and what that would mean for an IUD. Avenue Women’s Center has years of experience answering these types of questions and helping you problem-solve to move forward in your life.
Call, text, or walk into one of our locations near you today!
Be Proactive to Determine if You are Pregnant
Waiting around to see if you’re unexpectedly pregnant can be stressful. There are sometimes conflicting answers about how long to wait after sex to take a pregnancy test. And, chances are, if you’re ready to get an IUD in place, you probably don’t want to wait around for symptoms of pregnancy to start showing up.
A waiting period between ten days to two weeks after unprotected sex is typical when wanting to take a pregnancy test. It’s important during this time to not engage in unprotected sex if your goal is to prevent pregnancy. Abstaining from sex until you know if you’re pregnant or can get an IUD, or using a condom during sex are good ways to move forward. However, even a condom is not 100% effective in preventing pregnancy.
To determine whether you’re pregnant, take a test once the appropriate amount of time passes. You can opt for a traditional pregnancy test that measures the hCG levels in your urine, or you can take a blood test, which measures the hCG levels in your blood. Urine-based pregnancy tests can be bought at a pharmacy and taken at home, or you can always go to your doctor or a medical clinic.
If you’re in the Chicagoland area, a great option is to come to Avenue Women’s Center for a free and confidential medical-grade urine-based pregnancy test. Our tests provide accurate results just ten days after possible conception. While you’re here, one of our expert and compassionate pregnancy consultants will sit with you and help you determine what your next steps are.
Possible Next Steps
Of course, your next steps will be different whether you’re pregnant or not. If you are not pregnant, you can move forward with your doctor to get your IUD! And, as you await results to determine if you are pregnant, it’s never a bad idea to research and consider your pregnancy options. All pregnancies have three options: abortion, adoption, and parenting. Choosing which path to take can be difficult as they all carry potential risks. But we hope you can find the resources and information you need to move forward with courage.
Trying to figure out if you’re pregnant or can take the steps toward a more permanent form of birth control can be stressful and time-consuming. But you don’t have to walk this path alone. This is why we offer free, medical-grade pregnancy tests at Avenue Women’s Center so that you can have peace of mind and move forward with your life.
Schedule your free pregnancy test with us at one of our six Chicagoland centers!
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.