AM I PREGNANT?

The first thing we will do is a urine test to confirm your pregnancy.

Hope Resource Center performs lab-quality pregnancy tests to detect the pregnancy hormone, called hCG. These tests are temperature and quality controlled to ensure >99% accuracy. While the test is processing, your provider will ask you several confidential health history questions. Because of that, we ask that if you have a guest accompanying you to the clinic, they remain in the lobby during this first part of your appointment.

The health history includes questions about your general medical history, such as medications, allergies, recent or ongoing medical problems, surgical history, and substance use. A detailed menstrual history, including the date of your last menstrual period, will help estimate your pregnancy dating. Your provider will also ask you questions about your pregnancy history and sexual health and exposure history. These questions determine your risk for sexually transmitted infections and, based on this risk assessment, your provider may recommend and offer STD testing.

After we get your health history, your nurse will provide you with the results of your urine pregnancy test and discuss the next steps in your plan of care.

If your pregnancy test is positive, your next question is likely “How far along am I?”. Your provider will estimate how far along you are based on several factors, such as the date of your last menstrual period, when your pregnancy-like signs and symptoms started, and if you have had any spotting or bleeding of any kind since your last normal period. It’s important to remember that this is “estimated” and only an ultrasound can confirm your pregnancy dating.

When you’re experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure of what choices you have and what to expect. Every pregnant woman has three options: the option to parent her child; the option to make an adoption plan; and the option to abort or terminate her pregnancy. The choice you make must be a choice that’s right for you. Hope Resource Center’s providers are here to give you judgement-free accurate information and the support you need to help you make a fully informed decision.

Whether you are considering options or waiting to see your OB provider, scheduling an ultrasound is your next step. Hope Resource Center’s nurse sonographers provide a Limited Obstetrical Ultrasound exam between 7 and 16 weeks to confirm the viability and dating of your pregnancy.

If your pregnancy test is negative, it could be for one of two reasons, either it’s too early, and you’ll need to come back to repeat your test, or you’re not pregnant. If that’s the case, your provider will discuss your future plans for pregnancy or prevention of pregnancy, including contraceptive options (or birth control), or a plan for sexual abstinence.

We know that unplanned pregnancies can be scary, but we want you to know that we’re here to help. If you think you might be pregnant, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment.