Good question. There are several ways we could answer the “now what?” question when you first discover you’re pregnant. In this blog, we will cover a few of the most pressing ones and how Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center can help you.
If you have a doctor, particularly an OB-GYN (a doctor specializing in pregnancy and female reproductive health), call him or her and try to schedule an appointment. But be prepared to wait up to twelve weeks before the doctor sees you. Yikes! Twelve weeks?! Yup, it typically takes that long to schedule a prenatal visit, primarily because of the current medical provider shortage Florida is experiencing.
But what if you don’t want to wait that long or if you don’t presently have a medical provider?
Early Signs of Pregnancy
Highlighting clear signs of early pregnancy can help determine an actual pregnancy or a false sign of pregnancy.
Oneof the more obvious signs is missing a period, which is linked with a woman’s menstrual cycle. While women can miss their periods for reasons besides pregnancy (stress, weight changes, changes in hormonal levels, etc.), a missed period, especially after sexual activity, could be one of the clearest indicators a woman might be pregnant.
In addition to a missed period, if you are experiencing nausea, it could be another indicator of a positive pregnancy.
In fact, about 70% of women report nausea, and despite its name “morning sickness,” women can feel sick at any time of the day. Morning sickness usually occurs in the first trimester (typically between weeks four to six).
Positive pregnancy signs could also include breast tenderness, increased emotional mood swings, tiredness, along with new aversions to certain foods and sometimes increased cramping. These are some of the common signs to be aware of if you think you might be pregnant.
It is also possible to have little or almost no signals from your body. But no one knows your body like you do and if you have been sexually active and have missed your period, it’s time to confirm your pregnancy status with Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center. Remember, all services are cost-free.
Why It's Important to Know For Sure
Often, Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center serves women who find themselves in unprepared and/or unplanned pregnancies.
Knowing what your options are and what steps you can take in an unplanned pregnancy are really important.Uncertainty surrounding a situation as important as pregnancy can increase feelings of stress.
If you are unsure about being pregnant, the “what ifs” and hypothetical questions can take over your everyday thoughts, causing even more unnecessary anxiety in a situation which might already be stressful.
Having a definite answer to the “Am I pregnant?” question can provide clarity by giving answers to those uncertain thoughts. There is peace in clarity, and peace is exactly what women need who face unexpected or unprepared pregnancies.
Also, knowing “Yes” or “No” to the pregnancy question gives you the space to calmly explore your options.
The Center can come alongside you when considering what is in both your best interest, and the best option for your unborn child. Our staff and licensed social workers can sit down with you to support you in your decision-making process. Having answers early in your pregnancy gives you more time to reflect on your best option.
Finally, while home pregnancy tests are available and helpful, it is important to know they are not 100% accurate.
Pregnancy tests look for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone women’s bodies produce in pregnancy. Pregnancy tests look for increased levels of hCG, which doubles every couple of days during the first few weeks of pregnancy.
Most home test kits test hCG levels through urine samples, and while these home kits are accessible and useful, they are not always accurate, especially if used too early after sexual activity.
How Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center Can Be There for You with Free Pregnancy Testing
Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center can provide you with definite answers during a time when things seem anything but clear.
Women across the Sarasota area (and in other nearby counties) who believe they might be pregnant are welcome to the Center’s clinic, where the Center offers free medical-grade pregnancy tests and STI testing.
Compared with home pregnancy test kits, the Center’s nurses provide cost-free medical-grade pregnancy testing which are highly accurate in early pregnancy detection.
Additionally, the Center’s pregnancy tests show specific levels of hCG, which can help mothers monitor their pregnancy process, along with giving information for early detection of potential health complications.
These tests are quick and reliable, providing you with the answers you need to begin a conversation about your next steps and options available.
Women coming into the Center for a pregnancy test or STI testing are greeted with confidential, supportive, and compassionate services. And there is no need to stress about payment.
All services given by the Center are free, including pregnancy tests and STI tests. The Center does not require any proof of insurance, just valid identification. Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center’s website also offers a link to sign up for a pregnancy test, where you will be asked a couple questions so the staff can better serve you the minute you walk in.
During your visit and private consultation, you will be served by professional medical staff and licensed social workers to help you navigate your pregnancy journey, and you can rest assured you will be treated with kindness and support.
Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center is an absolutely nojudgement zone. Our staff will listen to your heart, whether it be fear, excitement, or a mixture of the two. The Center will walk compassionately alongside you as you think through your decision-making process.
Next Steps Matter
Becoming pregnant many times causes women to feel alone. But now your path doesn’t have to be a lonely journey.
Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center can provide you peace through clarity, empowering you with the information you need to make an informed decision. The Center helps to give women a feeling of control and empowerment in their pregnancy path.
Schedule your free pregnancy test at Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center today. Click here or call (941) 330-2229to book a confidential appointment. You are also welcome to just walk into Sarasota Medical Center too. We are here for you.
