"Character: the willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life - is the source from which self respect springs."

- David Niven, PhD.
101 Secrets of Happy People

Think You Might be Pregnant?

At a time like this it is important to take plenty of time to gather information:

The first question you need to answer is whether or not you are actually pregnant. Then if you are, you will need to know how to find support and assistance as you make your next decisions.

You may suspect that you are pregnant if you are experiencing certain signs and symptoms such as:

No menstrual period
Nausea and/or vomiting
Soreness or enlargement of breasts
Increased urination
Feeling tired
Mood swings

Even if you have some or all of these symptoms, you may not be pregnant. Also, it is perfectly normal not have any symptoms at all during the first month. Except for your missed period, you might not notice anything different. As soon as you think you might be pregnant, you should visit a pregnancy help center or clinic to take a pregnancy test to determine if you are really pregnant.

If you are pregnant it is important to learn more about what to expect. from pregnancy and how to care for yourself and your growing baby.

If you are feeling confused, uncertain or overwhelmed, call us and make an appointment to come in for a pregnancy test or just to talk. If your not in Central Minnesota, here is a link to a national resource for 24-hour telephone hotlines and phone numbers of pregnancy help centers in your state.

What is done during the Pregnancy Tests?
The test for pregnancy performed at a pregnancy help center is a urine test. This test determines the presence of the pregnancy hormone, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) in the urine as early as 8-9 days after conception. The hormone is produced by the placenta of the fertilized embryo shortly after it becomes implanted in the wall of the uterus. Most tests can be read within three to five minutes and these tests are very reliable, however to confirm you are pregnant a visit to an appropriate health care provider will be necessary.

Who Can I Talk To?
It’s wonderful to have supportive family and friends if you are facing an unplanned pregnancy. Sometimes however, there can be too much advice and pressure from family and friends. If you would like to talk to someone objective who can help you think through the decisions surrounding a pregnancy, parenting or adoption there are caring people trained to help you in this way. Pregnancy centers have counselors who are familiar with your situation. They are available to listen, educate and support... not judge.

Your parents may also be good support for you, though you may be very concerned about how hard it will be for you to tell them, you are pregnant. In the end parents often have a way of loving us and supporting us through the really tough times in our lives. The counselors at a pregnancy help center can help you plan How to tell your parents you are pregnant.

Because we care...