Pregnancy
My partner might be pregnant. What do we do now?
Unplanned pregnancy can be scary. The first step is to have your partner take a pregnancy test. You can get them at a grocery store or drug store. If it’s positive, talk to your partner about how you can be supportive. If it’s negative, talk about your birth control options. Using a really effective birth control method can help you avoid future scares.
No matter how the pregnancy test turns out, safer sex is a team effort. If it’s negative, this is a great time to look at your birth control options. You can go to a health center separately or together, and it’s a great chance for you both to get tested for STIs as well. If her pregnancy test is positive, she might experience a mix of emotions, but it can be helpful to let her know that you’re willing to support her in whatever way you can.
You can also work together to tell your parents. That’ll be a tough conversation—and they’ll probably have a lot to work through, too. But pregnancy isn’t something anyone, even adults, wants to go through alone, and parents can ultimately be a big help.
I’m already a dad and don’t want any more babies right now.
Talk to your partner about birth control options, and make sure she finds and uses one that’s right for her. Also, wear a condom every time you have sex to make sure you’re doing what you can to prevent future, unplanned pregnancies.
If you’re feeling pressured to make a baby, the relationship just might not be right for you.
What’s so terrible about getting pregnant? My mom was a teen mom, and I turned out just fine.
Getting pregnant is a great thing…when you’re ready for it, planning on it and can accept the responsibility of having a child. It’s awesome that you respect what your mom did for you—remember to honor what a badass she is on Mother’s Day!
The truth is, being a parent is really tough, especially when you’re young. You lose a lot of control over your future when you become a parent. It’s a whole lot easier and more enjoyable to be a parent if you get pregnant when you’re able to support yourself and your baby.
Things got a little too hot too fast and we didn’t use birth control. Should I be worried?
It’s okay to be worried when things go too fast; sometimes we just get lost in the moment. To be on the safe side, you should take emergency contraception to reduce your chance of pregnancy. The sooner you take it, the more effective it is. You may also want to consider STI testing if you don’t know your partner’s status.
Now, a word about NEXT time: Although the morning after pill can be effective, there are better forms of regular birth control. If you plan to keep having sex, learn more about the birth control options you can use after you’ve worked out this emergency.
Learn how emergency contraception works and where to get it.
The other night I was dancing with a guy at Club Pure and he wanted me to go home with him.
Getting into bed with someone you don’t know can be unsafe. What if he has an STI or you’re not on the same page about condoms and birth control?
So you went home with him, what can you do now? First things first, if you didn’t use any protection at all, meaning no condom and you’re not on birth control, check out emergency contraception immediately. It can prevent pregnancy if you use it within five days. Then talk to your medical provider about STIs and get a plan to get tested.
Now let’s get to the longer-term solutions: Choose a birth control method that fits your life. Always carry condoms. Know your STI status and practice asking about your partners about theirs.
The condom broke! I don’t want to get pregnant. What should I do?
Don’t panic! Emergency contraception can help! Even though some people call it the “morning after pill,” you can use it for up to five days after you’ve had sex.
So how does it work? Emergency contraception keeps you from ovulating, which means an egg and a sperm can’t meet to make a baby. It’s not an abortion pill.
If you’re 17 or older, you can buy emergency contraception over the counter at a drug store. If you’re under 17, visit a health center closest to you for a prescription.
Remember, although the morning after pill is very effective, it should not be used as a regular form of birth control. After you’ve worked out this emergency, learn more about good, routine, birth control options.
Learn how emergency contraception works and where to get it.
Is pulling out a way not to get pregnant? My partner says it works.
Pulling out can be really dangerous! First, guys can ejaculate a little bit inside you without realizing it. Or they can get totally lost in the moment and forget to pull out. Second, new research shows that some guys have sperm in their pre-ejaculate, meaning you could get pregnant or an STI even if he does a perfect pullout. Here’s a full medical rundown on the withdrawal method.
To stay safe and reduce the risk of an unplanned pregnancy, there are many more effective birth control methods you can use.
Find out just how effective different birth control methods can be.
If a guy cums near my vajayjay but not inside me, can I still get pregnant?
Crazier things have happened! Although it is unlikely, it’s still possible.
If any of your guy’s cum—aka, his ejaculate—gets in your vagina, it’s possible to get pregnant. Therefore, any contact that could allow semen to get into your vagina carries some risk of pregnancy.
The best way to reduce this risk is by using birth control. If used correctly, you won’t have to worry about an unplanned pregnancy.
I’m nursing and worried that birth control is bad for my breast milk.
A health care provider can help you pick a birth control method that’s safe to use while breastfeeding. Some options, like the IUD, are safe and provide super low-maintenance protection for up to 12 years—and low maintenance is important when you’re busy being a mom!
Find a health center where you can talk about your options.
I already have a baby and don’t want to get pregnant again right now.
Congrats! Spacing your pregnancies—that means waiting a while between kids—is important for women of all ages. It’s healthy for you and for your kids.
Check out your birth control options to choose a method that works for you. Methods like IUDs or the implant can be especially appealing to young parents since they’re so low maintenance. Certain IUDs can also be a great option if you’re currently breastfeeding.
How do I tell my parents I’m pregnant?
It is safe to say there’s no easy way to tell your parents this news. It’s also safe to say they may not be happy about it—so be prepared.
First, find out if you’re actually pregnant. Discount stores like Walmart and the dollar store sell really affordable home pregnancy tests that work just as well as the expensive ones. You can also go to a health clinic to take a pregnancy test. Oftentimes, health care providers can have good ideas about how to talk about pregnancy with your parents and can also get you the health care you need if you are pregnant.
Your parents might be angry at first, or find it hard to believe, but they might be able to help you consider what to do.