Unfortunately, no birth control is 100% effective. If it failed, you could be pregnant. Your first step is to take a pregnancy test, but there is a right and wrong way to take it. At Willowbrook Women’s Center, we provide confidential, no-cost pregnancy tests. 

Don’t panic. We’re here for you. Schedule an appointment at either location and we’ll help you get the answers you need. 

Are You Experiencing Early Pregnancy Symptoms?

Every woman experiences pregnancy differently. Some women feel every symptom immediately, while others don’t have symptoms for months. 

It is possible to be pregnant and not have early symptoms, but most women experience one or more of the following:

• A missed period
• Tender, swollen breasts
• Nausea with or without vomiting
• Increased urination
• Fatigue

There are other signs, but these are the most common. 

Can I Take A Home Pregnancy Test?

At-home pregnancy tests are reliable, but following the instructions is critical.

• Check the expiration date
• Read the instructions thoroughly
• Wait until the first day after your missed period to take the test
• Take the test in the morning when your urine is the most concentrated
• Wait the recommended amount of time to check the results
• Retest again in 3 to 5 days at Willowbrook Women’s Center with a lab-quality pregnancy test

It is possible to get a negative test result and be pregnant. 

Should I Get Tested for an STD?

Anyone sexually active should be tested regularly for a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Many common STDs don’t have physical symptoms, which means it’s possible to have one and not know it. An untreated STD can cause reproductive damage.

Following your pregnancy test at Willowbrook, see if you qualify for no-cost STD testing. 

After the Pregnancy Test, Then What?

We highly recommend getting a limited obstetrical ultrasound following a positive pregnancy test. At Willowbrook Women’s Center, we may offer a no-cost, limited ultrasound. 

An ultrasound provides valuable information, such as:

• An ultrasound determines if your pregnancy is viable (growing) or if you have had a miscarriage. Experts estimate that as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage. Most miscarriages occur within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
• An ultrasound reveals the gestational age. Knowing how many weeks you have been pregnant helps determine your future options.
• An ultrasound detects the pregnancy’s location. Although rare, some pregnancies form outside the uterus. These are known as ectopic pregnancies and can be extremely dangerous.

Schedule a no-cost appointment at one of our two Willowbrook Women’s Center locations. We can confirm your pregnancy and help you determine your next steps. You are not alone.