If your period is late and you think you might be pregnant take the following steps . . .

Do a pregnancy test
They are FREE at Brook Centres, some GP's, many family planning clinics and at some GUM clinics.... the testing is confidential and only you and the nurse will know what's going on.

Hate the idea of talking to someone? For about £10 you can buy a home pregnancy test - all you do is go to your local pharmacy or supermarket where they sell a range of reliable testing kits. Follow the instructions carefully though if you want a reliable result.

The result will either be:
NEGATIVE - if you don't want to be pregnant you will breathe a sigh of relief and use this false alarm to get your contraception sorted out! See your GP, family planning clinic or use condoms.

POSITIVE - you now need to decide what to do. Other people/doctors/counsellors can help you make a decision by explaining your choices but in the end you must decide what YOU want.

Your choices:
keep the baby

adoption

abortions

Who can you talk to?
If you are pregnant, and the pregnancy is unplanned you may be feeling confused, shocked, and scared but try not to let this stop you from seeking help. It is important to face what is happening and seek advice as soon as possible, so all options are open to you and you can begin your maternity care.

It is also important to make the right decision for you, and this might not always be the decision your boyfriend or your parents would make. Try and talk it over with someone you trust.

Talking it over
You could talk it over with your boyfriend or your mum or dad, but if you don't feel you can talk to them, you could also speak to: an older sister or brother, your friends, a teacher, a doctor, a social worker, a school counsellor, your GP, Brook Advisory Counsellor, or Marie Stopes International (MSI) counsellor. Or call one of the organisations listed in the help & advice section.

Whoever you talk to it's important to seek help from organisations that are impartial. For example, anti-abortion organisations will not provide unbiased or objective information.

How does pregnancy happen?
Pregnancy (conception) occurs when a sperm fertilises an egg by joining with it during sex. This can happen when two people have sex and do not use contraception.

A fertilised egg will then move down into a girl's uterus and implant itself into the womb (uterus) lining where it will begin to grow.

Are you old enough to do it?
If you're old enough to do 'it' you're old enough to be responsible for what can happen.

Whether you're male or female, with the decision to have sex, comes the responsibility of being sensible and protecting yourself from an unplanned pregnancy.

This basically means understanding how pregnancy happens and how you can stop it.

If you've got an appointment to have a pregnancy test at a clinic - don't forget...
The date of the first day of your last period.

Some of your first wee that morning - in a clean jar with a tight fitting lid.

Most clinics offer a pregnancy testing service for free - but check before you go.

If you're doing the test yourself remember to follow the instructions carefully - if you don't it could effect the results!

Keeping the baby

What happens if I decide to keep the baby?
First, see a GP who will organise maternity care for you, tell you what to expect, what you should be eating and what check ups you need to go for.

If you are bringing up the baby on your own and need somewhere to live, you need to contact social services, (your GP may be able to do this for you). Social services will be able to give you advice about benefits that you may be entitled to.

Specific organisations exist to help single parents (see the help & advice section).

Having the baby adopted

What happens if I put the baby up for adoption?
First, contact your local social services department (your GP will be able to help you).

You cannot arrange the adoption yourself unless your child is to be adopted by a close relative.

When does the adoption process begin?
Social services will work with approved adoption agencies to arrange preparation for adoption before your child is born, but nothing will be definitely arranged until after the birth. You will be completely free to change your mind.

The social worker will discuss with you the kind of family you want your child to grow up in and will usually tell you quite a lot about the family that is likely to become the baby's new parents.

You should talk to the social worker about the possibility of meeting the family, if you want to, or about other sorts of contact you could have in the future.

When does the adoption process become legal?
Although social workers arrange adoptions, they are made legally binding by the courts.

The court will make sure that you are definite about your decision to put your baby up for adoption and that the baby's new home is the right environment for him/her to grow up in.

The adoption is usually made legal three months after the birth of the child.

What if I change my mind?
Everyone recognises that putting a child up for adoption is a very big step for a mother so you have at least six weeks after the birth before you need to give your final agreement in writing to the court.

When the adoption order has been agreed by the court you will no longer have any legal relationship with or responsibilities for your child.

Is adoption the same as fostering?
No, adoption means legally giving up responsibility for your child. Fostering means that another set of parents will temporarily look after your baby but that you will remain the legal guardian and hopefully be in a position to care for your child in the future.

The same people who organise adoption can help you with fostering. If, for whatever reason, you cannot look after your baby, social services will arrange temporary fostering and will try to work with you to reunite you with your child. Making a decision about adoption or fostering is a big one and you should feel able to take time to make the right decision for you and speak to organisations and  people who can help you make up your mind.

For more help and advice on adoption contact:

The British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF)
11 Southwark Street, London SE1 1RQ
Tel: 0207 593 2000

Abortion: ending the pregnancy

What happens if I decide to have an abortion?
Firstly, see your GP, MSI or Brook for information about the type of abortion available to you.

You could also ask to see a counsellor at the clinic as they will go through the feelings you may have before and after.

Their aim is to help you cope with what you are going through and help you make the right decision.  Both the doctor and the counsellor will discuss if you want your parents to know about your abortion.

While you can give consent (agree to an abortion) under 16, a doctor will only give the go ahead if s/he believes you understand what's involved.

Even if a doctor agrees, they may still encourage you to involve a parent (though they will not go behind your back and tell your parents).

Who can I take with me?
Lots of women prefer to go with someone to support them. You can take anyone, from a friend, a relative, or a parent to a boyfriend or a brother or sister.

Abortion options:

What kind of abortion are there?
What kind of abortion you have very much depends on:

how many weeks pregnant you are

whether or not you want a general anaesthetic (without one you will be awake during the procedure)

whether or not you are suitable for a medical abortion (you will be given pills to end your pregnancy).

The earlier you go for help the more options are available so don't put off seeking advice.

Remember, you have choices so make sure that all options are clearly explained to you by the nurse/doctor and don't be afraid to ask questions.

What happens afterwards?
After you have ended your pregnancy you will probably feel cramps very like your period cramps, and experience some bleeding which can last up to 14 days.

The nurses will tell you what to expect, and how to  look after yourself. They will also make you a follow up appointment to make sure there are no problems.

Finally, a doctor will also discuss having sex again. While this may be the last thing on your mind, you need to know how long to wait after your abortion and what contraception to use. If you want to talk to someone after your abortion most hospitals and organisations like MSI offer post-abortion counselling.