I'm 17 might be pregnant

[user1468338393]

Saturday 2nd July I had unprotected sex, to then later that day discover it was my ovulation date.

I usually get really bad PMS syptoms, bloating and cramps for a week before my period is due, my period is due Thursday and I have had nothing.

And today I had light brown discharge that had no smell. I've been checked for STDs so I know that isn't a problem. I also have a strange pain in my area but nothing like period cramps (I don't know how to explain)

How likely is it that I am pregnant?

And can any of you give me some advice please? I know if I am pregnant I am definitely keeping the baby but advice on other stuff.

Thanks x

[Diddlydokey]

The only way to knock is to test. You shouldn't get a reliable result after Friday

[blueskyinmarch]

Very likely but you will need to do a test to check. Have you got supports around you if you are pregnant?

[ImGoingToTeabagYourDrumKitDale]

The for st thing you will have to do is take a pregnancy test obviously, once you know the result you can then begin to plan.

You say advice on other stuff, like what can you give us a clue? Housing? Financial Support?

Try not to panic, easier said than done but this is how life is sometimes.

[user1468338393]

I just need advice in general about pregnancy. I know nothing and it's terrifying. I'm taking a test next Tuesday when I go into the city with my mate because I'm too scared to go alone, and I already told the possible father when I'm doing it.

[Diddlydokey]

You need to take folic acid and pre natal vitamins
Don't drink alcohol, smoke and avoid certain foods and drinks
Call your GP and ask if you can self refer to a midwife
The mw doesn't do anything until the end of the first trimester or 3 months, a couple of weeks before your 12/13 week scan.

Good luck.

[blueskyinmarch]

One step at a time. Find out if you at pregnant first. There is a lot to take on board. I don't know about your area but where I am there are specialist midwives who look after younger pregnant women and can guide them through and answer all the necessary questions.

[user1468338393]

Which foods if you don't mind me asking? I don't drink or smoke anyway so that's not a problem. Where do I get these vitamins from? And how much are they? I'm on a very low paid job and I only work 4-8 hours per week. When is it appropriate to go to the doctor?

[OhNoNotMyBaby]

You wouldn't need extra vitamins. All you need do is eat healthily. Lots of reports this week about how 'extra vitamins' are just not required - not even folic acid, which is now added to bread and other items too.

[scaevola]

"When is it appropriate to go to the doctor?"

After a positive pg test. If you intend continuing the pregnancy, you many not need to see a doctor at all - you go straight to the midwives (your GP surgery will be able to tell you how it's arranged on your area)

You may well get a reliable result when you POAS 14 days after the unprotected intercourse. It would be worth retesting approx 5 days after that to allow for sperm life in the female genital tract and ovulation being a variably timed event.

[divafever99]

Only go to the doctors when you have had a positive test. Some gp surgeries let you book in directly with a midwife. They should be able to give you a prescription for folic acid. Foods to avoid include rare meat, pate, unpasturised soft cheeses, I think a more extensive list can be found on the nhs website. If it turns out you are not pregnant please see your practice nurse and discuss reliable forms of contraception, and protect yourself from std's. Condoms are free at family planning clinics. Good luck

[Diddlydokey]

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/foods-to-avoid-pregnant.aspx

[CarrotVan]

You can get Folic Acid and Vitamin D (these are the useful ones) in places like B&M, Home Bargains, and Quality Save - basically most general discount stores.

You can also get cheap pregnancy tests in those shops and in Poundland.

If you google "community midwives " then you should get a phone number to ring for advice about getting antenatal care. Lots of places have specialist midwives to support younger women who might not have the same support or resources as older women (in terms of housing, jobs etc)

[EreniTheFrog]

If you think it would help you to go to the GP now, go. A good GP should be able to listen to all your worries, whether or not you actually turn out to be pregnant. If your GP surgery is as busy as mine, it might in any case be worth ringing now to book an appointment for next week - if you turn out not to be pregnant and don't want the appointment, you can always phone to cancel.

[Wolfiefan]

How did you discover later that day that you were ovulating?

[user1468338393]

Thanks. Average waiting time in my GP is 3-4 weeks for an appointment, so I'll just wait until the drop in session next week. My nipples have changed in size and colour so I'm quite scared now and there getting a darker area around them. I spoke to the father and we've agreed that I'll take a pregnancy test Friday morning 😊

[Diddlydokey]

Gosh it sounds like you tried to get pregnant at 17. Maybe you should have read up on pregnancy if you were actively trying?!

[RipeningApples]

Do you live with your mum? Are there people who are able to support you?

[gamerchick]

It really does sound as if you're deliberately trying to get pregnant and going to hide it behind an accident.

I'm not going be harsh I remember what it was like at 17 feeling as though I didn't have a direction in my life but having babies isn't all it's cracked up to be. I urge you if by some chance this is a miss to get yourself on some contraception. You don't need babies at 17.

[user1468338393]

I really wasn't trying for a baby. I've been on the pill for quite a while and I've never had a slip up with it. I only found out my ovulation date because there was a midwife at my work and we got talking about this all and he helped me figure it out and he told me it is possible so just watch out. I'm only on here asking for help because I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing.

And yes I live with my mam and I have quite a few people around me who will help me out if my mam doesn't.

[Taylor22]

So have you taken your pill?

[user1468338393]

Yes I've kept taking it. It says in the packet if you think you might be pregnant keep taking it until you take a pregnancy test. I've never even missed it.

[Boogers]

I don't understand how you think you may be pregnant if you've never missed a pill. I know it's not 100% effective, but is there a reason you suspect it has failed?

[user1468338393]

I really don't know. I'm just scared as hell. I'm back at work tomorrow so I'll go have another chat with the midwife (and I'm planning on buying a couple of tests after also).

[SockQueen]

If you are on the combined pill you probably aren't ovulating anyway.

[Diddlydokey]

If you've never missed a pill, had a sickness/tummy bug or food poisoning or eaten or taken something to interfere with it's efficacy, you should be fine.

The midwife has also given strange information - when you're on the pill, if taken correctly, you don't ovulate as you don't have periods, just bleeding.