Pregnancy

Anyone who is having vaginal-penile intercourse should use contraception if they want to prevent pregnancy. Two forms of contraception (a hormonal option and a barrier option) is more effective than one contraceptive method alone in preventing pregnancy and will also help prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections.  Determining which method(s) of birth control is optimal for you is best decided with the help of a health care provider PRIOR to becoming sexually active.

Yes. Any position in which you have intercourse can result in pregnancy when a person is not using effective contraception.

Yes. Even one act of intercourse can result in pregnancy if you are not using contraception effectively.

Birth Control, when used properly, can be very effective at preventing pregnancy.  For a detailed list of all forms of contraception and their effectiveness, please refer to:

http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/unintendedpregnancy/contraception.htm

Reversible Contraception comes in many forms, including:

1. Barrier devices (male condoms, female condom, diaphragm, spermicides),
2. The pill or progesterone only pill
3. The patch (birth control that sticks to your skin for 1 week at a time),
4. The Ring (birth control in a small ring placed inside the vagina for 3 weeks at a time),
5. The Shot (birth control in the form of a shot that is obtained every 3 months,
6. Implanted Rod (that is  placed under the skin in your arm) that can last up to 3 years,
7. Intrauterine device( IUD) (with or without hormones) that a health care provider places inside of the uterus for up to 10 years.

For a complete list of all available contraceptions and further information about each, including the pros/cons of each method, please refer to:  

http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Birth-Control-Especially-for-Teens

http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/unintendedpregnancy/contraception.htm

Barrier devices work by preventing sperm from entering the cervix (the opening to the uterus). Contraceptives that use this method are called barrier devices because they block sperm. Barrier devices include:

1. The male condom;
2. The female condom;
3. The cervical cap (a smaller rubber circle that sits right on the cervix);
4. The diaphragm (a floppy rubber circle that covers the cervix);
5.  A spermicide (a chemical placed in the vagina that kills sperm.  There are foam, cream, film, and suppositories that contain spermicides. These should be used with a condom;
6. The sponge (a donut-shaped foam sponge that is inserted into the vagina.

When used alone, barrier methods have a failure rate of 12-28%.  When not used correctly, the failure rate can be even higher.  For more information on barrier methods and their effectiveness, refer to:

http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq022.pdf.

It is best to involve your guardian(s) in your decision to have intercourse and your desire to initiate birth control.  If you feel that this is not an option, in most states, minors (people younger than age 18 years) have the right to make choices about birth control without their parent/guardian’s permission. Discuss with your doctor or health care provider how the visit can be kept private and what your rights in this regard.

Be aware that if you use your parents’ health insurance to pay for birth control or a doctor’s visit, it may appear on the bill(s) that your parents receive. You may want to talk about birth control with your health provider at a visit that is for another health issue (such as a routine physical exam that is needed for school). Or, most cities have family planning clinics that allow a teen to have privacy and still be able to afford birth control.  Some clinics will even provide free birth control.  Your doctor, school nurse or a trusted adult can be good resources for finding these clinics.

Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. Using Plan B or other forms of certain oral contraceptive pills within 120 hours or 5 days of unprotected intercourse, offers this protection. It is most effective when taken as soon as possible after the intercourse.

Plan B is available over the counter if you are 18 years old or older. If you are younger than 18 years, you can get a prescription from your doctor or health care provider, or ask the help of a trusted adult (who can by it over the counter for you).  Emergency contraception should not be used as your only form of contraception-it should be used in emergency situations only.  For additional information on emergency contraception, please refer to:

http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Emergency-Contraception

If you choose to raise the baby or put the baby up for adoption, you should start taking prenatal vitamins each day and make an appointment with your doctor to start prenatal care as soon as possible. Good prenatal care makes it more likely that you will have a healthy baby.

Be sure to talk to your doctor about labor, delivery, and the period after the baby is born. Knowing what to expect will help you get the most out of childbirth. For more detailed information on pregnancy choice, including raising a baby, and on adoption, please refer to the following links:

http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Pregnancy-Choices-Raising-the-Baby-Adoption-and-Abortion

Abortion occurs when the fetus is expelled from a woman’s uterus. When a procedure is done to end a pregnancy, it is called an induced abortion. Most abortions are done prior to the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Before any such procedure, a test will be done to confirm the pregnancy and the doctor will ask questions about your health, perform a physical exam, and get some blood tests. An ultrasound exam may be done to confirm the date of the pregnancy. In most cases, a counselor is also available to answer any questions and help you through the process. It is important to know your states rules on abortions for minors, as some states require at least one parent’s signature for a minor to have an abortion.

For detailed information on Abortion Options, please refer to:

http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Pregnancy-Choices-Raising-the-Baby-Adoption-and-Abortion