It can be stressful to go through the effort of locating a reliable form of birth control, only to experience a pregnancy scare. This may have happened to you more than once. While it usually ended up being a false alarm, maybe this time you’re not so certain. Symptoms that typically went away in the past are seemingly lasting a bit longer. Understandably, there may be anxieties. But before you worry, consider what information you can gather first. You may have questions about the effectiveness of birth control, as well as where you can go to confirm your suspicions. If you’re on birth control, but keep having pregnancy scares, what are your next steps?
If you think you may be pregnant despite using birth control, you may wonder where to go for information. Avenue Women’s Center offers unexpected pregnancy services at each of our six Chicagoland locations. We’ll help you find answers to your questions.
Receive a free medical-grade pregnancy test, accurate just ten days after possible conception. During your appointment, our expert staff will discuss your results. If positive, we can guide you through your options of abortion, adoption, and parenting.
Contact us today for information about birth control methods, their failure rates, and your unexpected pregnancy decisions!
Why Does Birth Control Sometimes Fail?
There are many forms of contraception, each with its own level of effectiveness and requirements for perfect use. However, birth control cannot always prevent pregnancies. The only method that can offer you absolute protection is abstaining from sexual activity.
Sometimes, it happens where a condom may have broken or been expired when you used it, or you may have forgotten to take the pill. But contraception may also fail if you’re taking certain medications. Examples such as anti-HIV drugs or anticonvulsants may reduce its effectiveness. If you’ve had pregnancy scares in the past or suspect you may be pregnant now, you may want to talk to your doctor about possible adjustments to the contraceptive method that you’re using.
What Should I Do If I Learn I’m Pregnant Despite Using Birth Control?
If you’ve confirmed your pregnancy scares through an accurate test, you may be left feeling shocked or scared. For some women, a positive pregnancy test comes as a surprise. And, it can lead to confusion and an assortment of complicated emotions. These feelings can be overwhelming. It’s not uncommon to need a little time to process them.
Since there may be a lot of anxiety at this point, you may want to focus on learning all you can about your options. The way you feel about your pregnancy may become clearer once you pass through the stage where you may be worried about what to do next. This is why you may want to start thinking about who you might want to confide in so you can begin thinking about your next steps with support behind you.
Whether you rely on a trusted friend or relative, it can be a good idea to speak with a healthcare provider, a counselor, or a pregnancy consultant. These professionals can address your concerns about pregnancy and birth control, supplying you with the answers you may need to feel confident about making a decision.
But before you do that, it’s recommended you understand the choices before you, and how the pros and cons behind each option may affect you.
Schedule a Free Appointment
Do you think you might be pregnant despite having used birth control? Avenue Women’s Center is here to support you as you look for answers to your questions, connecting you to available resources and ensuring you have easy access to accurate information. Confirm your suspicions by taking an accurate test at one of our six locations.
Our caring pregnancy consultants will provide information regarding your pregnancy options, listening to any concerns you may have within a nonjudgmental environment.
Reach out today and start chatting with our expert staff about your options!
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References:
- American Pregnancy Association. Types of Birth Control. Retrieved from: https://americanpregnancy.org/preventing-pregnancy/types-of-birth-control/
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, March). Contraception. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/index.htm
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.