Following sexual intercourse or when faced with unexpected nausea, many women’s reaction is: “I’m scared I’m pregnant!” Let’s face it, the prospect of pregnancy can be thrilling, fear-provoking, or both.
If you are concerned about a possible pregnancy, know that Avenue Women’s Center is here for you. We offer free – accurate – pregnancy tests at our five Chicagoland locations (Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn / Lombard, Naperville, West Chicago, and Wood Dale, Illinois). To schedule an appointment or discuss your questions, please contact us today.
For those who resonate with feeling “I’m scared I’m pregnant,” we look forward to listening and helping with your unique circumstances in one of our confidential clinics. But, for now, let us offer some background information on a concept called Fertility Awareness. Perhaps this will provide valuable information about your possible pregnancy situation.
Fertility Awareness helps you identify when it’s possible for you to have become pregnant.
First, we consider when you may have ovulated. Consider that a typical woman’s menstrual cycle lasts 28 days (from the day she starts one period until the day she starts her following month’s period). During that menstrual cycle, ACOG (American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists) explains what happens:
“An ovary releases an egg, a process called ovulation. In an average menstrual cycle of 28 days, ovulation occurs about 14 days before the start of the next menstrual period…. After the egg is released, it moves down the fallopian tube to the uterus.”
Second, we keep in mind how long both the egg and sperm can survive. Again, ACOG explains:
“An egg can survive in the fallopian tube for about 24 hours after ovulation. A man’s sperm can survive inside a woman’s body for about 3 days (and sometimes up to 5 days) after sexual intercourse.”
Next, we consider when you had sexual intercourse. Another explanation from ACOG:
“You can become pregnant if you have sex anywhere from 5 days before ovulation until 1 day after ovulation. Your chance of pregnancy is highest when live sperm are present in the fallopian tubes when ovulation occurs.”
A general summary is that if you menstruate regularly, following a typical 28 day cycle, then you could be most likely to get pregnant if you have sexual intercourse from Day 9 to Day 15. Other interpretations of Fertility Awareness indicate that women are most likely to get pregnant between Day 8 to Day 19.
If you’re reading this at 2:00am because you’re too worried to sleep, we hope this general information has been helpful to you. But…
Whenever you’re thinking “I’m scared I’m pregnant” – please contact Avenue Women’s Center! You are the reason we’re here. We do not want you to have to continue worrying about whether you are pregnant. Please visit one of our locations, discuss your questions with an experienced staff person, and take a free accurate pregnancy test. We hope to hear from you!
Reference:
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (2015, April) Fertility Awareness-Based Methods of Family Planning. Retrieved from: https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Fertility-Awareness-Based-Methods-of-Family-Planning
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.