Pregnancy: Could I Be Pregnant? / Question
Published: January 9, 2003
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I took the morning after pill the day that I had unprotected sex. It's been 1 week and 2 days since I've taken the pills and I have yet to get my period. Am I gonna have a baby?
Signed: Morning After Pill, Still No Period
Dear Morning After Pill, Still No Period,
It is important that you understand that just because you have taken the "Morning After Pill" does not mean that you will start to get your period immediately thereafter. Rather, your next period should come more or less on time. If your cycle is irregular after taking an emergency contraceptive pill (ECP), studies have shown that it is far more common for your period to be delayed than to come early.
If your period does not return within 3 weeks following treatment, a follow-up visit with your doctor is recommended. He or she can give you a pregnancy test just to make sure you're not pregnant.
TeenHealthFX has talked about the Morning After Pill before. Check out Emergency Contraception or for more information and go to Not-2-Late.com.
Since you are sexually active, you should look into more effective types of contraceptives (see safer sex). Condoms used alone only have an 86% effectiveness rate for preventing pregnancy, but they are the best protection available for preventing STD's. The best method of birth control is to not have sex. But if you are going to have sex, you should look into another method of protection like the pill or Depo Provera. Also, this second method of birth control should be used with condoms. This offers protection against some STDs and double protection against pregnancy.
There are available resources for you. A teen health clinic can see you without your parent's permission, confidentially and on a low/no cost basis. Also, they can help to educate you in making the best possible decisions regarding sex, birth control and STD protection. If you live in Northern New Jersey, you can contact the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at (973) 971.6475. If you live outside of Northern New Jersey, please call your local teen health center or Planned Parenthood.Signed: TeenHealthFX
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