It’s easy to feel panicked or anxious when your birth control fails. A potential pregnancy might be one of the first things that crosses your mind. Where do you go from here, and how will you get answers?
As challenging as this situation can be, you’re not alone. The Cherish Women’s Resource Centre provides support and trustworthy information, empowering you to find clarity.
Schedule a confidential appointment today to learn more. In the meantime, keep reading to learn what to do in the event of a birth control failure.
Assessing Symptoms and Taking a Pregnancy Test
Early pregnancy symptoms can begin as soon as one week to several weeks after sexual intercourse. In addition to a missed period, you could experience tender, sore breasts, fatigue, nausea, and more.
These changes could indicate a potential pregnancy. However, some women have irregular cycles, while others have no symptoms or ones caused by other conditions. This is why it’s best to take a pregnancy test anyway if you suspect your birth control method has failed.
Take a pregnancy test at least a day or two after a missed period or two weeks after sexual intercourse to increase your chances of receiving an accurate result. This timeframe allows hCG (a pregnancy hormone) time to build to detectable levels in your body.
If you receive a positive result, take a deep breath. You still need more information to learn what’s next.
Reviewing Your Options
A positive pregnancy test doesn’t supply the information you need to make informed decisions. Only an ultrasound can confirm your pregnancy, telling you whether it is progressing, where it is located, and how far along you are.
Once you’ve confirmed a pregnancy, it’s time to sort through your options. You have three: abortion, adoption, and parenting.
Abortion is a serious decision with risks and side effects to consider. Adoption and parenting are options that allow you to continue your pregnancy, but they have distinct outcomes. We’ll discuss abortion procedures. You’ll also learn about the resources available for adoption and parenting, including referrals and material aid.
It’s your decision; we’ll offer the facts so you can weigh your options without pressure. Visit us for the information you need to weigh all your options in a nonjudgmental environment.
You Have Support
Realizing your birth control method failed can feel overwhelming, but there is a way forward.
The Cherish Women’s Resource Centre is here to help. Schedule a no-cost, confidential appointment today.
The Cherish Women’s Resource Centre does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.
