Concept

Unplanned Pregnancy

HE A LTH EDUC A TION H E A L T H 1 0 0 V E R S I O N 3 / Sexual Bias and Misconceptions

"Unplanned pregnancy is common. About 1 in 2 pregnancies in America are unplanned. A woman who is surprised by an unplanned pregnancy might worry about whether the other parent will welcome the news, whether she can afford to care for a baby, or whether past choices such as drinking or drug use will affect the baby's health. She might also be concerned that having a baby will interfere with school or a career. If a woman is pregnant after being raped, she might feel ashamed, numb, or afraid. Unplanned pregnancy is common among abused women, and some abusers force partners to have sex without birth control or sabotage the birth control their partners are using. Helpful next steps include starting to take care of oneself right away, taking 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid every day, and stopping alcohol, tobacco, and drug use. A doctor’s visit can confirm the pregnancy and address health issues that could affect it. A health care provider can also help with quitting smoking and recommend a counselor. Seeking support from someone trusted and respected may also help. Fertility awareness involves being aware of the menstrual cycle and considering when conception is more likely. Questions about fertility or infertility can be discussed with a health care provider."

Related Ideas

  • MenstruationHE A LTH EDUC A TION H E A L T H 1 0 0 V E R S I O N 3 · Sexual Bias and Misconceptions
  • Pregnancy CareHE A LTH EDUC A TION H E A L T H 1 0 0 V E R S I O N 3 · STD/STI Treatments
  • Reproductive OrgansHE A LTH EDUC A TION H E A L T H 1 0 0 V E R S I O N 3 · Sexual Anatomy
  • IPV TypesHE A LTH EDUC A TION H E A L T H 1 0 0 V E R S I O N 3 · Intimate Partner Violence
  • Alcohol RisksHE A LTH EDUC A TION H E A L T H 1 0 0 V E R S I O N 3 · Alcohol Abuse
  • InfectionsHE A LTH EDUC A TION H E A L T H 1 0 0 V E R S I O N 3 · Sexually Transmitted Infections
  • Chlamydia GonorrheaHE A LTH EDUC A TION H E A L T H 1 0 0 V E R S I O N 3 · Sexually Transmitted Infections
  • Viral StisHE A LTH EDUC A TION H E A L T H 1 0 0 V E R S I O N 3 · STD/STI Treatments
Unplanned Pregnancy | HE A LTH EDUC A TION H E A L T H 1 0 0 V E R S I O N 3 | Bifalgorithm | Bifalgorithm