Random fact 214
One drink leads to a mother - nearly 40% of teenage mums have no qualifications and are more likely to be living in poverty. Still want that baby?
Random fact 215
The average couple spends about 20 minutes engaged in sexual foreplay prior to intercourse so there is time to mention contraception, but when is the right time?
Random fact 216
Deciding to have a baby can feel like a frightening decision, but it can also be an enjoyable and exciting time. Try not to feel overwhelmed by the amount of information there is for women who are trying to get pregnant.
Random fact 217
For most people, getting pregnant is not a difficult process. Much of the advice you get will be about getting to know your body, eating well, keeping fit, and talking to your doctor, nurse or midwife when you need to.
Random fact 218
For some women, getting pregnant happens very quickly, but for others it can take longer. This can be upsetting, but it is normal.
Random fact 219
If you are under 20 and want to consider being parent, make an informed choice, talk to other mums or a professional – Before you try to get pregnant.
Random fact 220
You can’t change your mind once you have a child, so make sure you weigh up your options.
Random fact 221
If you think you could be pregnant you should do a pregnancy test as soon as possible.
Random fact 222
You can buy a pregnancy test to do yourself from the pharmacy or supermarket, or you can ask for a test at some GPs, any young peoples service, a local contraception or sexual health clinic, a pharmacy (there may be a charge). Find your nearest site here
Random fact 223
You can carry out a pregnancy test from the first day of a missed period. Tests that are done earlier than this may not be accurate.
Random fact 224
If you don’t have regular periods, the earliest time to do a test is three weeks (21 days) from the last time that you had unprotected sex.
Random fact 225
If your pregnancy test is positive, this means you are pregnant.
Random fact 226
All pregnancy tests, when carried out correctly, are reliable, including tests you do yourself.
Random fact 227
If your pregnancy test is positive, you have the following choices: Continue with the pregnancy and keep the baby; End the pregnancy by having an abortion; Continue with the pregnancy and have the baby adopted.
Random fact 228
After having a baby you can have sex as soon as you and your partner want to.
Random fact 229
Having a baby causes many physical and emotional changes for both partners and it may take some time before you feel comfortable or ready to have sex.
Random fact 230
Everyone is different, so do not feel pressured or worry that you are not normal if you dont feel ready to have sex. It can help to talk to your partner about any concerns you have.
Random fact 231
The earliest your periods can return is six weeks after birth if you are not breastfeeding.
Random fact 232
If you are breastfeeding your periods will return and you will start ovulating when you are breastfeeding less often and for shorter periods of time.
Random fact 233
You can become pregnant before your periods return because ovulation (when the ovary releases an egg) occurs about two weeks before you get your period.
Random fact 234
You need to start using contraception from three weeks (21 days) after the birth.
Random fact 235
Don’t wait for your periods to return or until you have your postnatal check before you use contraception as you could get pregnant again before then.
Random fact 236
If you are fully breastfeeding you can choose to rely on this for contraception but you do need to decide on what contraception you are going to use in the future if you want to prevent another pregnancy.
Random fact 237
You can use male and female condoms as soon as you want to.
Random fact 238
You can start to use the contraceptive implant from three weeks after the birth.
Random fact 239
If you are not breastfeeding then you can use the combined pill, the contraceptive vaginal ring and the contraceptive patch from three weeks after the birth.
Random fact 240
You can start the progestogen-only pill any time after the birth.
Random fact 241
It is usually recommended that you wait until six weeks after the birth to start the contraceptive injection because then you are less likely to have heavy and irregular bleeding. It is possible to use it earlier if there are no other alternatives you find acceptable.
Random fact 242
An IUD or IUS is usually fitted from four weeks after a vaginal or caesarean birth. It can also be put in within 48 hours of the birth.
Random fact 243
You can start to use a diaphragm or cap six weeks after giving birth.
