2008 Woodie Awards
I Think I'm Pregnant...
What Do I Do Now?
Alanna Jones
Issue date: 2/2/05 Section: Lifestyles and Health
- Page 1 of 1
Love is a powerful word and can be expressed in many ways. Couples may express love to each other by saying, "I love you," and friends may show their love for one another by being there in a time of need. As we all know the ultimate form of expressing love for someone is to give your body over to them. In other words, by having sexual relations with someone. Although this may be a special time for many, there are a lot of risks involved. Besides opening yourself to contracting a STD one of the major consequences of unprotected sex is pregnancy.
Many students reading this article have been pregnant, are pregnant, or had to deal with the confusion of an unwanted pregnancy with a significant other. When having sexual relations many students forget that it only takes one time. Many of us have been, or, are being educated on the different types of protection that can be used against STDs and pregnancy. A few examples are birth control pills, condoms, diaphragms, and most of all, abstinence. Imagine if you choose not to abstain from sex and no other pregnancy prevention method worked and you got pregnant anyway. What do you do now?
Many female college students have had to face the decision of what to do when they find out they are pregnant and are not ready to become a mother. A lot of females don't know that there may be a way out of this pregnancy if action is taken IMMEDIATELY! If you have had unprotected sex or believe your method of protection has failed within the past 72 hours, "the morning-after pill" may be your answer in preventing an unwanted pregnancy.
The following information is to inform the female student of an alternative pregnancy prevention method. This information has been compiled from nyabortion.com.
*What is it?
"The morning- after pill" is an oral contraception that comes in two large doses of hormones. These hormones are similar to ones taken on a daily basis in birth control pills. The fist dose must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, then followed by a second dose 12 hours later.
*How does it work?
This pill delays the release of an egg from the ovary if given prior to ovulation. Or, if you have already ovulated, it will prevent the egg from traveling down the fallopian tubes and implanting itself in the uterus. Remember this pill only reduces the chance of getting pregnant, it does NOT cause an abortion.
*What is its effectiveness?
The morning after pill is approximately 98-99% effective. Results vary from person to person, and depends if you are only fertile at the time of ovulation.
*Are you a candidate for the morning-after pill?
Almost all women can use the pill including ones that have been told not to take birth control on a regular basis. Do not use the pill if you are already pregnant. It will not work.
*What are the side effects?
Irregular bleeding- period will come 7-9 days after treatment. If your period has not come within 21 days after treatment, check with doctor or take another pregnancy test. Nausea, tubal pregnancy, breast tenderness, fatigue, headache, abdominal pain, and dizziness may occur also.
*What are the benefits?
Offers a second chance at a normal life, no increased risk of future pregnancies, and not dangerous to use several times.
For more information on "the morning-after pill" and other pregnancy prevention methods check out: www.plannedparenthood.org and www.netdoctor.co.uk. Always use your family doctor as a trustworthy information source.
Many students reading this article have been pregnant, are pregnant, or had to deal with the confusion of an unwanted pregnancy with a significant other. When having sexual relations many students forget that it only takes one time. Many of us have been, or, are being educated on the different types of protection that can be used against STDs and pregnancy. A few examples are birth control pills, condoms, diaphragms, and most of all, abstinence. Imagine if you choose not to abstain from sex and no other pregnancy prevention method worked and you got pregnant anyway. What do you do now?
Many female college students have had to face the decision of what to do when they find out they are pregnant and are not ready to become a mother. A lot of females don't know that there may be a way out of this pregnancy if action is taken IMMEDIATELY! If you have had unprotected sex or believe your method of protection has failed within the past 72 hours, "the morning-after pill" may be your answer in preventing an unwanted pregnancy.
The following information is to inform the female student of an alternative pregnancy prevention method. This information has been compiled from nyabortion.com.
*What is it?
"The morning- after pill" is an oral contraception that comes in two large doses of hormones. These hormones are similar to ones taken on a daily basis in birth control pills. The fist dose must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, then followed by a second dose 12 hours later.
*How does it work?
This pill delays the release of an egg from the ovary if given prior to ovulation. Or, if you have already ovulated, it will prevent the egg from traveling down the fallopian tubes and implanting itself in the uterus. Remember this pill only reduces the chance of getting pregnant, it does NOT cause an abortion.
*What is its effectiveness?
The morning after pill is approximately 98-99% effective. Results vary from person to person, and depends if you are only fertile at the time of ovulation.
*Are you a candidate for the morning-after pill?
Almost all women can use the pill including ones that have been told not to take birth control on a regular basis. Do not use the pill if you are already pregnant. It will not work.
*What are the side effects?
Irregular bleeding- period will come 7-9 days after treatment. If your period has not come within 21 days after treatment, check with doctor or take another pregnancy test. Nausea, tubal pregnancy, breast tenderness, fatigue, headache, abdominal pain, and dizziness may occur also.
*What are the benefits?
Offers a second chance at a normal life, no increased risk of future pregnancies, and not dangerous to use several times.
For more information on "the morning-after pill" and other pregnancy prevention methods check out: www.plannedparenthood.org and www.netdoctor.co.uk. Always use your family doctor as a trustworthy information source.