What Should You Do After a Positive Pregnancy Test?

When you see two lines on your pregnancy test or a "+" on the digital window, it can feel like you're in shock. It's one thing to suspect you are pregnant after your period has been missed, but to have it confirmed by the test sitting on your bathroom counter is different altogether. Many women feel pressured to make quick decisions by jumping into anything to stop the immediate panic, but in reality, you most likely have more time than you realize to gather information to help you decide what to do next.

Pause for a Minute

The first thing you have to do is stop and take a breath. This may seem simple enough, and yet when you are faced with an unplanned pregnancy, your mind goes into panic mode. You do not need to make decisions about your entire future today. If you are currently a student or working full-time, you may feel overwhelmed with fear about how this may affect your future. Give yourself permission to just remain calm until you have had time to gather information before you start making phone calls or researching medical procedures.

Get a Lab Quality Test

Home pregnancy tests are generally reliable, but mistakes in timing or usage can happen. You can get the medical documents needed to set up health insurance or other medical appointments through a free pregnancy test at Crossroads Resource Center. This test, which is over 99 percent accurate, measures the pregnancy hormone in your body that indicates you are pregnant. The hormone will start showing up about seven days after conception. You will get your test results back during your visit, so you are not left waiting for someone to call you back.

Schedule an Ultrasound

A positive pregnancy test is just the beginning of the medical documentation you need for your pregnancy. You will want to have an ultrasound done to confirm that there is a viable pregnancy. A viable pregnancy means that the embryo is located in the uterus and has a detectable heartbeat. Approximately 10 to 20 percent of known pregnancies end in natural miscarriage, so determining that your pregnancy is viable can help determine if you need medical assistance rather than an abortion or other pregnancy services. An ultrasound will also help you to determine how far along you are in your pregnancy. This information is necessary for every pregnancy option you are considering: parenting, adoption, and abortion. No cost ultrasounds are available at our Moses Lake location for this specific purpose.

Screening for Infections

Before having any type of medical treatment, it is essential to check your medical history and current health status. If you are considering getting an abortion, you must be screened for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhea and chlamydia prior to having the procedure. Having an infection during an abortion can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which may cause long-term health complications or future infertility. According to the CDC, chlamydia often has no symptoms, so you could possibly have the infection without knowing it. We provide confidential STI screening at our center free of charge and can help you determine the state of your reproductive health.

Learn About Every Pregnancy Option

Once you have confirmed that you are pregnant and know how far along you are, you can begin considering your pregnancy options. There are different options when it comes to parenting, adoption, or abortion. We provide a medical screening before an abortion that includes a nurse consultation to review your ultrasound and health results. You won't be told what to do. Instead, it offers a safe space to ask about financial help, your educational goals, and the medical risks associated with each path. Whether you are a student at Big Bend Community College or a high school student residing in Grant County, we are able to assist you in locating local resources.

Ready to get started? You may contact us at our Moses Lake office located in rural central Washington. Call us at (509) 765-4425 or text us at the same number. Our office in Moses Lake is located at 1555 S. Pilgrim St., Moses Lake, WA 98837. All services provided by Crossroads Resource Center are free and confidential.