If your menstrual cycle (period) is delayed or different than what your normal pattern is you may want to consider the possibility of a pregnancy. While there are fabulous methods of birth control often we are not the best users of the method that we have chosen, and an unplanned pregnancy can occur. No method of birth control is 100% effective unless you are abstinent.
Possible signs of pregnancy may include any of the following:
Absence of menses (period)
Unscheduled bleeding particularly if there has not been a recent change in your birth control method
Fatigue or tiredness
Queasiness or nausea that may occur in the morning or intermittently through-out the day
Swollen or tender breasts
Increase in frequency of urinating
Low back pain
Mood swings and irritability
Sensitivity to aromas
Food cravings or aversion to foods
Dizziness or fainting
Just “feeling” pregnant
Darkening of the areolas (skin around your nipples)
Why should I come in for a pregnancy test?
Although you can purchase a pregnancy test at any pharmacy---errors can occur with taking them. One of the issues is you may have a negative pregnancy test at home simply because it is too early for the results to be positive. And if your test is positive you’re literally at a standstill until you can get into a physician’s office for an appointment. By coming in for a pregnancy test appointment you will receive:
Confirmation of a negative pregnancy
Counseling to increase the likelihood of achieving a healthy pregnancy
Counseling regarding family planning choices including “natural family planning”, non-hormonal methods and typical birth control options if you are wanting to avoid a pregnancy at this time of your life
Timing regarding a repeat pregnancy assessment
Confirmation of a positive pregnancy test
All options counseling
Information on when your due date is
A prescription for prenatal vitamins and information on what medications are safe for you to take during your pregnancy
Medical verification of pregnancy and if warranted referral to the:
Department of Social Services for assistance
Department of Public Health for enrollment in the Women, Infant, Children (WIC) program
A list of OB/GYN providers including physicians, midwives and doulas (labor coach) in the Door, Kewaunee and Brown county area
If you have not been taking a multivitamin---please start one or a prenatal vitamin today! Women who take a daily multivitamin have less birth defects than women who do not. This is all related to the importance of folic acid in your diet.
We encourage you to call 746-9444 to arrange a completely confidential pregnancy testing appointment. The test is free. The earlier we can identify a pregnancy the better the health outcome(s) for you!