Pregnancy

Lots of girls worry they might be pregnant, or what to do if they are pregnant. But we're here to help. Find out how to check if you're pregnant, what your options are, and what to do if your girlfriend is pregnant.

how to test if you're pregnant

If a woman and man have sex, or are sexually intimate with each other, without using contraception, the woman could get pregnant. Women can also become pregnant if contraception fails. For example, if a condom splits.

This can happen at any age after a young woman has reached puberty. Very rarely, it may happen just before your first period.

A woman may also become pregnant if they've been raped or sexually abused.

If you've had sex without contraception, or the contraception has failed, it's important to take a pregnancy test as soon as possible.

3 ways to find out if you're definitely pregnant:

  • get a pregnancy test - you can get a free test at sexual health clinics, like Brook, or buy them from the supermarket or a pharmacy to test at home
  • visit your GP – you can go without a parent or carer if you're over 16
  • speak to your school nurse.

If you're pregnant, there's advice and support available. You're not alone.

signs you might be pregnant

It's important to know that some symptoms may be caused by medication, stress, weight changes or doing lots of exercise.

Signs you might be pregnant include:

  • missing a period
  • your breasts feeling sore and tender
  • feeling sick or having an upset stomach, called "morning sickness"
  • a small amount of bleeding from your vagina, called "spotting" around the time of your period
  • feeling really good to suddenly really bad, called "mood swings". Mood swings can happen around your period, but pregnancy can make them worse
  • feeling exhausted for no apparent reason.

Getting a pregnancy test is the most reliable way to check if you're pregnant.

deciding what to do

Getting pregnant when you haven't planned to is very scary. You might be especially afraid of your family or friends finding out.

It might seem easier to keep the pregnancy to yourself. But the most important thing is to tell someone. The sooner you talk to someone about your pregnancy, the more options you'll have about what to do.

Your family may not react badly to your pregnancy. They could be supportive and helpful. But if you're worried about talking to them, you can always talk to us to get support.

Watch: Help, I'm pregnant!

worries about pregnancy

Every person has different experiences of pregnancy. When you first find out you're pregnant, you may feel worried about lots of different things.

my girlfriend is pregnant

It can be really scary to find out that someone's pregnant. And this can be even scarier if you're the dad.

It's good to talk
You both have to face uncomfortable feelings and difficult choices, so it's better to be honest. Your girlfriend may want to do something different from what you want to do.

Learn about your options 
Find out as much as you can about the choices available to you.

Be prepared
Whatever you decide to do, your decision will affect you practically, physically and emotionally.

Get advice
Talk to a friend, an adult or talk to us

losing your baby

There are some risks to having a baby. Find out what they are and how you can get support.

I was raped
and
I'm
PREGNANT

Get support if you've been raped

getting support

There are lots of decisions to make around pregnancy, and it can be hard to cope.

But we're here to help. You can contact a counsellor or join the message boards to see what others are posting about pregnancy.